Modern Languages Blog

HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) has published its draft Gaelic Language Plan for consultation. The Plan proposes measures to encourage the increased use of Gaelic in four key areas: 

• Identity
• Communications
• Publications
• Staffing

Responses to the consultation on the HMIE’s Draft Gaelic Language Plan can be made to HMIE, Longman House, Longman Road, Inverness, IV1 1SF.  The consultation runs until 27 November 2009.

Copies of the full report are available from: http://www.hmie.gov.uk/Publications.aspx

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has launched a series of Gaelic educational materials celebrating some of Scotland’s most interesting species. The Mu Dheadhinn packs feature worksheets, games and full colour posters for free distribution to schools throughout Scotland. The packs provide teachers and students with a ready made set of educational projects and activities exploring natural history through the Gaelic language.

The complete Mu Dheidhinn series is also available for free download from Scottish Natural Heritage’s website www.snh.org.uk

The Independent: From now on Scottish Gaelic speakers can write directly to EU bodies in their mother tongue if they wish and receive a reply in that language. Scottish ministers can also speak Scottish Gaelic in meetings with other EU ministers and regional representatives.

The deal was sealed in a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Brussels yesterday by the UK’s EU ambassador, Sir Kim Darroch, and by Donald Henderson, Scotland’s EU director.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/scots-gaelic-becomes-an-eu-language-1799290.html

The Scottish Government has announced there will be more school places and increased resources for Gaelic-medium education across Scotland thanks to investment from the Gaelic Schools Capital Fund.

Minister for Gaelic Michael Russell announced on Friday that Glasgow City Council will receive £500,000 to increase provision in its area and Argyll and Bute Council will benefit from £150,000.

The funding will be used to renovate classrooms in the Glasgow Gaelic School and contribute towards a new modular building which will be installed at Bowmore Primary; both areas which have seen an increased demand for early years places.

 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/09/04112636

The number of dedicated Gaelic schools in Scotland is set to double after the Scottish Government announced further funding to develop the language. Highland council has welcomed the allocation from the Government of £1.5 million to allow preparation works to begin on proposed new Gaelic Medium Primary Schools at Fort William and Portree. 

http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourcouncil/news/newsreleases/2009/August/2009-08-25-08.htm

From the Times Higher Education:

Degrees in subjects from music to media studies will be taught in Gaelic by a Scottish institution in a move that others in the sector are being encouraged to follow.

The UHI Millennium Institute will also offer its students modules in the history and culture of Gaelic as part of a newly launched language plan.

Other subjects to be offered in the tongue include cultural studies, education and teaching.

Read more of this article

From the Scottish Government news: An extra £800,000 for Gaelic education has been announced, bringing Scottish Government investment in the Gaelic Schools Fund to £2.15m this year.

First Minister Alex Salmond made the announcement at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college in Skye on his way to the Wstern Isles for a historic first Scottish Cabinet meeting in Stornoway.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/08/03092341

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is pleased to announce that its Draft Gaelic Language Plan is now available for public consultation.

The Gaelic Language Act of 2005 and the National Plan for Gaelic are of fundamental importance in enabling SQA and its partner organisations to plan successfully for a sustainable future for the language, not just in Scotland but on the international stage.

The closing date of the consultation is Thursday 3 September 2009.

SQA news release: Gaelic Language Plan consultation

The UK has just issued its third report on its implementation of the Council of Europe’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. 

Read more from Eurolang website 

http://www.eurolang.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3181&Itemid=0

How Gàidhlig is doing

Scottish Gaelic has made progress with the new Gaelic TV channel, and Bòrd na Gàidhlig have announced their new language plan for Highland Council. However, despite strong Scottish governmental support, overall there’s still the lack of adequate provision of relatively easy to achieve items such as bilingual signage, and the language plans, required by the Gaelic language act, need to be adopted by all the councils in Scotland.  The TV channel is also hamstrung from not being available through as a regular terrestrial channel on Freeview, the UK standard provider.

Find the full report on the Council of Europe website http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/minlang/Report/

As a public organisation Learning and Teaching Scotland is required by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. LTS recognises the unique and essential contribution of Gaelic to the rich and diverse cultural life of Scotland. The draft Gaelic Language Plan sets out clearly how LTS will use and support the use of Gaelic in the delivery of its services, working closely with Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other key partners and stakeholders.

www.LTScotland.org.uk/aboutlts/whatwedo/draftgaeliclanguageplan/index.asp