Gaelic / Gàidhlig

What is Gaelic-medium education (GME)?

Bilingual (Definition)

–  adj. – Using or able to use two languages, especially with equal or nearly equal fluency.

–  n – A person who uses or is able to use two languages, especially with equal fluency.

Bilingualism (Definition)

– n – 1. the ability to speak two languages. 2. the use of two languages, as in a community.

GME is an important part of Dingwall Primary School, with 4 composite classes and 79 children currently being taught in Gaelic.

You or your child don’t need to speak Gaelic to go through GME.

Once your child starts in GME they will be totally immersed in Gaelic. Children will have the opportunity to learn Gaelic and/or expand their vocabulary and experience all their learning through Gaelic.

Pupils are taught entirely through Gaelic during their first three years in primary school. This total immersion phase is very important, and it means that your child does not have to be fluent in Gaelic when they begin GME in primary school. This immersion phase also greatly enhances the language skills of children who are already fluent in Gaelic. After P3, English is gradually introduced through the medium of Gaelic, but Gaelic remains the predominant language of the classroom in all areas of the curriculum. This ensures that the immersion in Gaelic continues until the end of primary school.

GME aims to address the needs of both fluent Gaelic speakers and pupils who do not have fluency. The total immersion in the first three years, and continued immersion thereafter, means that each pupil who goes through the Gaelic education system will gain the necessary and appropriate language skills – both in Gaelic and English. Pupils will also receive an excellent education in all other areas of the Curriculum for Excellence. Indeed, research shows that when GME pupils reach P7, on average their English language skills tend to be better than those of their English-medium counterparts.

In addition to their class-based education, pupils will have the opportunity to meet people from the community who have Gaelic in order to encourage children to use the language in different situations. Gaelic schools and departments work to forge ties with other Gaelic schools. At the end of seven years in primary education each child will have at least two languages and will have all the benefits associated with that.

If children have had the experience of a Gaelic-medium early years/pre-school provision, transferring to a Gaelic medium primary school provision is a natural progression and will seem quite normal to your child. The staff in the pre-school /school will be able to provide you with more information and re-assure you on how children learn Gaelic at the immersion phase.

Don’t worry if your child has not been to a Gaelic pre-school. Young children pick up languages very easily.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss further any aspect of Gaelic-medium education at Dingwall Primary School.