Gaelic Education: Building on the Successes, Addressing the Barriers

Overview & Synopsis

In recent times, there has been significant interest in reviving the Gaelic language. The National Plan for Gaelic aims to secure a sustainable future for the language. Gaelic Education plays a major role. The term "Gaelic Education" covers a spectrum of opportunity ranging from raising an awareness of Gaelic as a Scottish language to the achievement of fluency through immersion. Along this spectrum sits the opportunity to learn Gaelic as a subject and a wide range of other opportunities such as those offered by Sradagan to use and develop the language. This report refers to Gaelic Education throughout but focuses specifically on Gaelic Learners and Gaelic Medium. It summarises for further action the findings of a task undertaken by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) in 2010/11, drawing on evidence from inspections in the period from 2006-2011 and from interviews with key players in the development of Gaelic Education. Appended are: (1) Relevant reading; and (2) Glossary. (Contains 30 footnotes.)