Gaelic Education – Curriculum, Learning, Teaching and Assessment

Welcome to the Gaelic Education homepage of the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Team at Education Scotland. Gaelic Education is made up of three distinct components; Gaelic Medium Education, Gaelic Learner Education and Learning about Gaelic Language and Culture.

Gaelic Medium Education (GME) is an intrinsic part of Scottish education that enables children and young people to achieve fluency in Gaelic. The entire curriculum is delivered through the medium of Gaelic with children and young people progressing from early years through primary education and into secondary education, a 3-18 entitlement.

Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) is distinct from GME in that it is delivered to children and young people in English Medium Education as part of a 1+2 approach to languages.

Learning about Gaelic Language and Culture (LAGC) is a central feature of learning about Scotland and helps children and young people connect Gaelic to their knowledge and understanding of Scotland.

An important document to reference is our national advice called the Advice on Gaelic Education. Produced since 2015, and revised on an ongoing basis, most recently March 2022, the Advice on Gaelic Education provides important information on the national context, and describes best practice to support senior leaders, practitioners and education authorities in evaluating and planning for improvement in Gaelic Education. It is based on evidence from inspections, reviews and other statutory functions, covering all sectors of Gaelic Education; and other engagements with a wide range of stakeholders. HM Inspectors use the Advice to support scrutiny activities.

To discuss your requirements please contact Maeve.MacKinnon@educationscotland.gov.scot

Curriculum Support and Professional Learning

Education Scotland offers free bespoke Curriculum Support for Gaelic Education. The purpose of this is to provide hands-on support, working alongside practitioners across all of the three components 3-18, to improve learning, teaching and assessment. This includes support for the moderation process for literacy and numeracy in GME.

Time to engage with professional learning and other support requirements can be negotiated to take place virtually or in person and be tailored to support your CLPL plans.

Resources 

Curriculum Area	Resource	Contact/ link	Details
Gaelic Education (GME and GLE)	National Improvement Hub resources	http://bit.ly/3XS6KlQ	A range of resources to support immersion and professional learning 3-18.
Gaelic Medium Education	National Improvement Hub resources – Literacy and Gàidhlig	http://bit.ly/3u6uEMC	A range of suggested learning activities to support immersion, Early – Fourth Level.
Gaelic Medium Education	Assessment and Moderation – GLOW	http://bit.ly/3OJJj9U	A virtual learning environment that provides support for Learning, Teaching and Assessment.
Gaelic Medium Education	Information for Parents	http://bit.ly/3ENGf89	Information for parents who or are considering Gaelic Medium Education for their child. There is also useful updates from the national organisation that supports parents who choose GME for their children.
Gaelic Medium Education	Social Studies – GLOW	http://bit.ly/3Up08sg	Resources through Gaelic to support learning, teaching and assessment in Social Studies.
Gaelic Medium Education	Numeracy and Mathematics Progression Framework	http://bit.ly/3AR2CZu	A resource, through Gaelic, to deepen practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of progression within the experiences and outcomes for numeracy and mathematics.