Foghlam Gàidhlig/Gaelic-medium Education
Gaelic-medium education has been available in Condorrat primary school since August 1997. Pupils in Gaelic-medium education are taught primarily through Gaelic with English being introduced later as a secondary language. Here in Condorrat nursery and primary we aim to bring our Gaelic-medium pupils to the stage of ‘broadly equal’ competence in Gaelic and English, by the end of Primary 7.
An Dòigh Teagaisg/Gaelic-medium Teaching Methodology
We undertake ‘total Gaelic immersion’ in our Gaelic nursery and Gaelic classes until primary 4 where all learning is undertaken in Gaelic. This is to ensure our GME pupils build a strong ‘Gaelic’ basis onto which we can scaffold our pupils learning in the future. When the children enter the ‘immersion’ phase of their learning in primary 4 where English is gradually introduced the pupils learning is still undertaken through the medium of Gaelic. Many of our GME pupils come from homes where no Gaelic is spoken so to ensure their Gaelic skills progress well there is an oral Gaelic language progression in place across the school from the nursery stage to primary 7. Active learning is used across all classes to better promote language acquisition and to allow our pupils to use their Gaelic. Condorrat primary school is filled with an equal balance of Gaelic and English displays celebrating our pupils success and achievements.
Àrd-sgoil/High School
Our pupils transition to Greenfaulds High School where there is a Gaelic department and our pupils can continue their studies in Gaelic right into the senior phase.
A-mach As An Sgoil/Extra-curricular Activities
We encourage our GME pupils and their families to take part in as many Gaelic out-of-school activities as they can. These include the local and national Mòds and a residential trip to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on on the Isle of Skye. Information on events is shared with all our GME families so they can opt in or out if they wish. Promoting our Gaelic community here in North Lanarkshire is important to our GME families and through our Comann nan Pàrant group our Gaelic families can build friendships and access support networks to help support their child on their GME journey. This also helps our families to strengthen Gaelic as a family language.
Fiosrachadh/Information
Some useful websites and links-
www.gaelic4parents.com – Gaelic reading books online.
