Royal National Mod: Students to have extra help to learn Gaelic

By CLAIRE SMITH
Published on 18/10/2012 00:00

ADDITIONAL help for students learning Gaelic was announced at the Royal National Mod in Dunoon yesterday.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority announced plans to create new support materials to help students at levels six and seven – the equivalent of Higher and Advanced Higher.

The new materials will be available in Gaelic language units next year and will build on the key skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Dr Janet Brown, SQA chief executive, said: “The Gaelic units launched last year were designed to give learners an accessible entry point into learning a new language. We know that these have proved to be popular with learners, and organisations will have the opportunity to offer these units in conjunction with Gaelic language learning programmes such as Ulpan.

“We are optimistic these new assessment support materials will continue to underpin the key criteria set out within our own Gaelic Language Plan and the Scottish Government’s National Plan for Gaelic.

“The SQA has also been invited to join the board of An Comunn Gàidhealach, the body responsible for the Royal National Mod. We are committed to supporting Gaelic education, and the aims in our Gaelic Language Plan link closely to those of An Comunn Gàidhealach.”

This year, the SQA saw an increase in the number of candidates sitting National Qualification examinations and assessments across different subjects in Gaelic.

Robert Quinn, head of humanities, arts and business at the SQA, said: “Candidate numbers taking Gaelic-medium examinations have risen and work is under way to ensure that key documents for a number of selected National Qualifications developed in line with Curriculum for Excellence will also be available in Gaelic.

“However, the number of candidates sitting Gaelic-medium examinations is not as high as it could be and we feel it is extremely important that Gaelic-medium options are available to candidates and they are supported right through to their senior years in secondary, building on the skills they have developed.”

Dr Alasdair Allan, minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages, said: “This is welcome news for the teaching of Gaelic in Scotland’s schools. Not only are we committed to a sustainable and positive future for the language, seeing education as a fundamental means of making that happen, I want to see Gaelic playing a full part in our work to improve language skills in our schools alongside French, Spanish, Mandarin and others.”

MOD RESULTS - WEDNESDAY

VOCAL SOLOS

A270 Kennedy-Fraser Cup

1. Kirsten Laurie, Isle of Islay.

2. Anne Bennett, Dundee.

3. (equal) Donna Dugdale, Tobermory, and Alastair Gray, Caithness.

A271 Sarah Weir Trophy

1. Emma A C Deans, Comar nan Allt.

2. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

3. Andreas Wolff, A’ Choingheal.

A251 Learners (men) (Katie Stewart Memorial Trophy)

1. Robert Daniel Robertson, Fort William.

2. Lawrence Butler Perks, London.

3. Campbell McKenzie.

A253 Sea Song (Bank of Scotland Cup)

1. Robert Daniel Robertson, Fort William.

2. Lawrence Butler Perks, London.

3. Campbell McKenzie, Stornoway.

A221 Fluent (men) (Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy)

1. Calum MacLeoid, Dun Eideann.

2. Iain Gordon, Nairn.

3. John Howieson, Portree.

4. Alasdair Gray, Caithness.

A250 Learners (women) (Margot Campbell Trophy)

1. Elena Piras, Pitlochry.

2. Jennifer Campbell, Glasgow.

3. Wendy MacKay, Sutherland.

A252 Working Song (Catherine M.B. Dunlop Quaich)

1. Donna Dugdale, Tobermory.

2. Jennifer Campbell, Glasgow.

3. Sandie Kennedy, Fife.

A220 Fluent (women) (Mary C. MacNiven Memorial Salver)

1. Rachel Walker, Gairlochy.

2. Eilidh J Davies, Invergarry.

3. Ceitidh Smith, Kyle of Lochalsh.

4. (equal) Isabel NicLeoid, Carlabhagh; Raonaid M J Deans, Glasgow; Sandy NicDhomhnaill Jones, Uibhist a Deas; F Ann MacLean, Isle of Lismore; and Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

A234 Fluent (men and women) (“Oban Times” Gold Medal)

1. Andreas Wolff, A’ Choingheal.

2. Ruaraidh MacIntyre, Glasgow.

3. Eilidh J Davies, Invergarry.

A231 Traditional (men) (Lochaber Rotary Club Trophy)

1. Alex MacDonald, North Lanarkshire.

2. Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Isle of Skye.

3. Tormod MacLeoid, Isle of Lewis.

4. Iain Murdo MacMillan, Isle of Lewis.

A248 Traditional (learners) (George Clavey Memorial Quaich)

1. Kirsty Watt, Isle of Lewis.

2. Rena Gertz, Prestonpans.

3. (equal) Celia McDougall, Caithness, and Jennifer Mary Speirs, Isle of Lewis.

A272 Former Prizewinners, Local Mods (Lochewe Branch Cup)

1. Fergus Muir, Islay.

2. Ainsley Hamill, Cardross.

3. Iain MacPherson, Campbeltown.

A274 Skye or Sutherland Song (John D. Gillies Memorial Trophy)

1. Nicola Pearson, Angus.

2. Iain MacPherson, Campbeltown.

3. Emma A C Deans, Comar nan Allt.

A273 Precenting a Psalm (Dr Alasdair Barden Memorial Salver)

1. Iain Murdo MacMillan, Isle of Lewis.

2. Isabel MacLeod, Carlabhagh.

3. Domhnall MacLeoid, Isle of Lewis.

CLARSACH

Solos (Junior)

B320 With Gaelic Songs (Glendale Quaich)

1. Ceitidh McLuskey, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

2. Tuesday Rose McDonough, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

3. Sine NicGriogaor, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

B322 Elementary (Florence Wilson Trophy)

1. Rebecca Emily Grewcock, Golspie High School.

2. (equal) Laura Penman, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise, and Meredith Kiemer, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu.

3. Abigail Campbell, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

B323 Intermediate 1 (K. Barry Milner Trophy)

1. Abigail Sime, Hamilton College.

2. Finlay Lawson, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

3. Ceitidh McLuskey, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

B323A Intermediate 2 (Lawrence MacDuff Cup)

1. Anna Westwell, Leith Walk Primary.

2. Catriona Clark, Castle Douglas High School.

B324 Advanced (Duncan Chisholm Trophy)

1. Ruaidhri Neill Irvine, Douglas Academy.

2. Finlay Cunniffe, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

3. Sean Macpherson, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

Solos (Senior)

B326 Advanced (Elspeth A. Hyllested Trophy)

1. Sarah Davies, Oldham.

2. Elinor Evans, Edinburgh.

3. (equal) Janet Grigor, Edinburgh, and Grace Guse, Glasgow.

B327 With Gaelic Songs (Hilda Mary Campbell Trophy)

1. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

2. Elinor Evans, Edinburgh.

B328 Accompanying of a Singer (Jean C. Campbell Memorial Trophy)

1. Ruaidhri Neill Irvine, Douglas Academy.

Duets

B330A (13-19) (Comunn na Clarsaich Cup)

1. Sim & Cameron MacDhomhnaill, Edinburgh.

2. Alice Guse & Amy Owens, Craigholme.

3. Catriona MacGregor & Anna MacKenzie, Isle of Skye.

B330 (under 13) (Lord Birsay Trophy)

1. Laura Penman & Ceit Lamb, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

2. Martha Cunniffe & Romi Byron, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

3. Tuesday Rose McDonough & Jenny MacDonald, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

B333 Senior (Drumelzier Quaich)

1. Grace Guse & Anna Gorrie, Glasgow.

Duo

B336 Voice and Clarsach (Comunn na Clarsaich, Edinburgh Branch, Trophy)

1. Magnus and Anna Westwell, Broughton High School.

Ensembles

B331 Open (Pilgrim Harps Trophy)

1. Lomond School.

2. Clarsaichean Disathairne.