Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig
Gaelic Medium Education

Tha Foghlam tron Ghàidhlig ri fhaighinn aig Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail. Tha seo a’ leigeil dha sgoilearan na sgilean Gàidhlig agus na sgilean Beurla aca a leasachadh aig an aon àm, fhad ’s a tha iad a’ gluasad tron àrd-sgoil. Tha ionnsachadh tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig a’ toirt iomadh cothrom dha daoine òga a thaobh foghlaim, cultair agus na h-eaconomaidh. Aig Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail tha sinn a’ cur luach air a’ Ghàidhlig agus air cultar Gàidhealach. Tha sinn a’ brosnachadh sgoilearan gu bhith leantainn orra a’ leasachadh na sgilean Gàidhlig aca.

The Nicolson Institute has a well established Gaelic Medium Education (GME) provision which allows

young people to continue developing both their Gaelic and English skills simultaneously as they

progress through their secondary education. Studying through Gaelic presents students with

significant educational, cultural and economic opportunities. At The Nicolson Institute we value

the Gaelic language and culture and actively encourage students to develop their knowledge and

skills in this area.

The Benefits of GME

Some of the benefits of continuing in GME in secondary are:

Students become increasingly confident in using their Gaelic skills
Research indicates that developing skills in two languages enhances the development of the brain and improves cognitive skills.
GME contributes to raising attainment across the curriculum
Students are able to take part in a range of social and cultural experiences
Students develop skills for learning, life and work.
Students are better placed to prepare for the increasing number of Gaelic related career opportunities.

GME Curriculum

In addition to studying Gàidhlig as a subject, S1 students will also study a range of other subjects through the medium of Gaelic. The range of subjects varies from year to year depending on staffing. Currently S1 GME pupils receive at least 14 periods (11hours 40mins) of Gaelic Medium Education and 19 periods (15 hours 50mins) of English Medium Education per week. We are hoping to expand the Gaelic Medium curriculum in the future by providing more GME subjects. Pupils will be able to continue studying a range of subjects through Gaelic in S2 & 3. They will also be able to undertake SQA National Qualification courses in Gàidhlig and Eachdraidh (History) or Nuadh-Eòlas (Modern Studies) on S4 and they will continue to get Personal & Social Education, Tutor Time and Religious & Moral Education in Gaelic. All pupils in Gaelic Medium Education are in a Gaelic Medium House (Forbes or Addison) and have a Guidance teacher with Gaelic.

Current GME Curriculum

S1 & 2

Gaidhlig, Geography, History, Modern Studies, Religious & Moral Education, Home Economics, Technical, Personal & Social Education, Wider Achievement (All GME pupils get these subjects in Gaelic)

Music & Art (Some GME pupils get these subjects in Gaelic)

S2 Electives: There is an opportunity to select a GME elective with Comunn na Gàidhlig.

Core Subjects: Personal & Social Education, Religious & Moral Education, Wider Achievement

Subject Choices: Gàidhlig, History, Modern Studies, Biology

Core Subjects: Personal & Social Education, Religious & Moral Education, Wider Achievement

Subject Choices: Gàidhlig, History, Modern Studies

Core Subjects: Personal & Social Education, Religious & Moral Education

Subject Choices: Gàidhlig

Core Subjects: Personal & Social Education

Subject Choices: Gàidhlig

Many Opportunities

In addition to studying subjects through Gaelic GME pupils get many opportunities to participate in social and cultural activities, such as: local & national mòds, FilmG competitions, debates, Seachdain na Gàidhlig activities (e.g. quizzes, career-based workshops). Comunn na Gàidhlig works closely with the school to provide many clubs and activities through the medium of Gaelic such as lunchtime clubs and outdoor activities.

Families and the Community We value the support that families and the community provide for students in GME. These are some of the ways you can support Gaelic Medium students in secondary school:

Show enthusiasm about learning through Gaelic.
Encourage students to use Gaelic as often as possible.
Remind students that there are many online tools that can help them studying through Gaelic (online dictionaries such as LearnGaelic, Stòr Data, Am Faclair Beag and online resources on Glow, e-Stòras, BBC Bitesize, Stòrlann, Ceitidh the Gaelic voice and e-books on Giglets) . There is a list of Gaelic resources on the school webiste under Gàidhlig and Goireasan. The school library has a lot of Gaelic resources that will be helpful for pupils.
If a student indicates that they require additional support, encourage them to speak to a teacher as soon as possible. As a school we encourage pupils to ask for help.

Useful Links

Dictionaries

https://learngaelic.scot/dictionary

https://www3.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/faclair/sbg/lorg.php

https://www.faclair.com

Gaelic Learning Resources

https://speakgaelic.scot

https://learngaelic.scot

https://www.duolingo.com/course/gd/en/Learn-Scottish%20Gaelic

https://www.storlann.co.uk/ceumannan

Taipeadh sa Ghàidhlig Typing in Gaelic

https://learngaelic.scot/misc/typing.jsp