An Sgoil Àraich – The Gaelic Medium Nursery
The Gaelic Nursery at Gilcomstoun Primary School is a well-equipped nursery and the children follow a similar curriculum as other nurseries, but through the medium of Gaelic. These pre-school years in the nursery allow children to develop their Gaelic language in a total immersion environment that promotes learning through play. There is no requirement for children to be Gaelic speakers before starting in the Sgoil Àraich and parents are welcome to visit by contacting the school.
Gaelic Medium Education / Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig
At Gilcomstoun, children can begin Gaelic Medium Education in the Gaelic nursery, an sgoil-àraich, where there is a focus on total immersion. Children then progress on to the P1 – P3 class where there continues to be a focus on total immersion. The children’s language is developed initially through conversation with adults and through play, songs, rhymes, games and stories. All areas of the curriculum are delivered through the medium of Gaelic at this stage and Gaelic is the main language of communication and learning in the class. In sgoil-àraich and P1, there is a focus on developing good listening and talking skills in order to support children’s developing Gaelic language. In the immersion phase in P4-7, Gaelic continues to remain the main language of the classroom. English language is introduced at P4 and children develop literacy skills in Gaelic and English at this stage.
There are a number of community groups such as Sradagan, Fèis Obar Dheathain and Club Gàidhlig who can further support children’s developing Gaelic literacy skills, and we would encourage parents to engage with these groups in order to provide children with the opportunity to speak and listen to Gaelic in a community setting. Club Gàidhlig also run a range of Gaelic community classes for adults, where parents can learn or develop their own Gaelic language, which can further support children’s Gaelic literacy skills.
The Benefits of Being Bilingual
Much research has been carried out to demonstrate the cognitive, social and cultural benefits of being bilingual and we encourage our pupils to take a sense of pride in their Gaelic language ability. Linguistic ability in additional languages is valued by employers and in tertiary education, and there are opportunities for Gaelic speakers within the Gaelic jobs market, including education, music and the media. See here for more information: https://young.scot/get-informed/national/cothroman-gàidhlig-gaelic-opportunities.
Gaelic in the Community
In order to develop full literacy skills in Gaelic, it will greatly benefit children in Gaelic medium education if they have access to Gaelic in the home and community. Local clubs like Sradagan, Club Gàìdhlig Obar Dheathain and Fèis Obar Dheathain can provide our pupils with opportunities for social Gaelic interaction. There are also opportunities for parents to learn Gaelic through Aberdeen Gaelic Club.
Link to Gaelic in the Early Years
Apply for a Place
If you would like to apply for a place for your child in Gaelic medium education, please follow the link:
Sgoil Àraich / Nursery: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/apply-nursery-school-place-202122
School: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/education-and-childcare/apply-school-place