Why you should learn Gaelic with us this year – 2022-2023 Registration is open

Thig ann agus leum a-steach

Bidh sibh toilichte gun do rinn sibh e.

(Come and jump in. You’ll be glad you did it.)

A chairidean chóir,

Tha sinn an dòchas gun còrd an aimsir bhlàth ribh. Tha a’ bhliadhna sgoile a’ tighinn gu crìch, ach faodaidh sibh d’ ainm a chuir a-steach airson na h-ath bhliadhna. (We hope you are enjoying the warm weather. The school year is ending, but you can register for next year.)

Registration is now open for the 2022 – 2023 academic year. Our online classes start after Labor Day and run through June 2023.

Please register by Friday, 5 August 2022. Learning levels this year include New Beginner, Advanced Beginner, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Advanced 1, Advanced 2, and Fluent.

Many language learning systems emphasize either fluency or literacy. While few, if any, are purely one or the other, most emphasize one or the other. A strict emphasis on fluency in spoken language might lead to faster conversational ability, while a strict influence on literacy might produce conversational ability at a slower pace while grammatical or theoretical understanding of the language develops faster.

The pedagogical approach of Sgoil Gàidhlig attempts to balance the two. While designed to foster conversational ability in Scottish Gaelic, the curriculum has at its core the principle that the worldview of the people is embedded in the language, and that familiarity with the culture permits a more nuanced and deeper understanding of the spoken tongue.

The program overall will strive to strengthen the student’s understanding of meanings behind the grammar and vocabulary. Each unit incorporates reading comprehension by using texts that are both of a conversational and, as the modules progress, a literary nature. Further, we incorporate historical and cultural material aimed at developing a deeper understanding of Scottish Gaelic heritage.

In all units we strive to immerse the students in the flavor, character, mindset, thinking processes, and worldview of Gaelic and the Gael. Hopefully the result will be that we produce Gaelic thinkers as well as Gaelic speakers.

If you have questions about the program, please write to sgoilgaidhlig@gmail.com