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Gaelic Medium Education in the Western Isles

Gaelic Medium Education in the Western Isles


August 2016 marked thirty years of Gaelic Medium Education in the Western Isles. The first Unit opened at Breasclete school in 1986 with four pupils. In August 2017, GME will be available in 20 out of our 22 schools.



News

  • Katie Laing on her thoughts on GME
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    The Lewis based writer, Katie Laing, writing about her decision to put her children through Gaelic Medium Education.
  • Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education
    Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. These provisions came into force on the 1st of February 2017.
  • Hannah Skinner and Sarah MacKay
    Hannah Skinner and Sarah MacKay, 6th year pupils at the Nicolson Institute, expressing their regret that they did not go through Gaelic Medium Education.
  • THIG A CHLUICH
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    The Thig a chluich project is one of only five groups in the STV North area that has been shortlisted to compete for the public vote and up to £50,000 of Big Lottery Fund cash in ITV’s The Peoples Projects TV Competition.
  • GME Presentation
    A short video from the Multimedia Unit of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar outlining some of the benefits associated with Gaelic Medium Education and bilingualism.
  • Headteacher of Sgoil nan Loch and Sgoil na Pàirc.
    Headteacher of Sgoil nan Loch and Sgoil na Pàirc, Patricia MacLeod, tells about GM in Lochs and how numbers are on the rise in the area!
  • Foghlam Gaidhlig
    In October 2015, Evelyn delivered a presentation on the current work of the Multimedia Unit at an t-Alltan – Stòrlann’s conference for Gaelic Medium teachers. This is an opportunity to find out about the work of the Unit and our plans for 2016. You can view the presentation by clicking on the following link:
  • Breasclete School received Gaelic status
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    6 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Schools have decided to proceed with Gaelic Schools Status in 2014/15. These schools are: Bernera, Breasclete, Castlebay, Iochdar, Leverhulme Memorial and Sgoil an Taobh Siar.
  • GME event in Lewis
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    Are you interested in the benefits of bilingualism?
  • My World of Work
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    On this site which has been developed by Skills Development Scotland there is information on the different career opportunities open to Gaelic speakers and how your language skills can be best utilised within the workplace. These pages contain lots of great information on Gaelic careers!
  • Gaelic Careers
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    Bòrd na Gàidhlig have released a new Gaelic booklet showing some of the many career opportunities open to those who speak the language. Click here to read the PDF.
  • Gaelic Classes
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    If you live in Lewis, are a Gaelic learner and would like to support your children more with their learning then Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Community Learning and Development classes offer a range of classes.
  • Daoine Òg Deiseil is Deònach
    A short play which pupils from Sgoil an Taobh Siar school in Lewis performed on the 25th of November 2013.
  • The Pryer Family (Testimonials)
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    When we decided to move to Lewis in 2012 the choice of Gaelic or English medium education was one we thought long and hard about.
  • Choose Gaelic (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar)
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    What support is available to parents who do not speak Gaelic?
  • Cultural Advantages
    These videos were produced in 2013 through a partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant.
  • Communication and Social Advantages
    These videos were produced in 2013 through a partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant.
  • Cognitive Advantages
    These videos were produced in 2013 through a partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant.
  • Character Advantages
    These videos were produced in 2013 through a partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant.
  • The Breasclete Brats!
    A short play which pupils from Breasclete Primary school in Lewis performed in their community on Friday the 26th of April 2013.<br/><br/> The project was delivered in different communities by the Gaelic Arts Agency and funded by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
    A short play which pupils from Breasclete Primary school in Lewis performed in their community on Friday the 26th of April 2013.
  • Catriona MacLean
    Catriona MacLean currently works for the BBC as a broadcast journalist. Catriona was educated through the Medium of Gaelic and here she tells of the many advantages it has given her.
    Click on the link above to read about the advantages of Gaelic Medium Education to Catriona MacLean.
  • Maggie MacKay
    Maggie MacKay is an Associate in a law firm in Stornoway. Although Maggie did not go through Gaelic Medium Education she was brought up in a home and in a community where the language was strong. She studied Gaelic through to university level at the University of Glasgow and she now uses her Gaelic in her everyday work.
    Click on the link above to read about the advantages of bilingualism to Maggie MacKay.
  • Why Bilinguals Are Smarter
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    Being bilingual makes you smarter and can have a profound effect on your brain.
  • Fios is Freagairt
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    A Guide to Gaelic Medium Education for parents from Comunn nam Pàrant.

    www.parant.org.uk
  • Bilingualism Matters
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    The launch of the Western Isles branch of Bilingualism Matters took place at An Lanntair in Stornoway on the Thursday the 20th of October 2011.
  • Testimonials
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    Gaelic Medium Education is available to all children in the Western Isles regardless of whether or not they are from a Gaelic speaking background.
  • Gaelic 4 Parents
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    Find out what support is available for parents who have chosen GME for their Children.
  • multilingual living
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    A useful website relating to the benefits associated with bilingualism.

Contacts



If you would like to find out more about Gaelic Medium Education contact Evelyn Coull, on 01851 70 6943 or contact her by email on evelyn@gnes.net.