We’re young, gifted and Gaelic

AROUND 800 children made their way to 37 competitions at the Royal National Mòd in Oban yesterday.

Brother and sister Duncan and Rona Macleod, winners of the David CB Maitland Memorial Trophy for Duet Singing. Picture: TSPL

John MacLeod, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said he was delighted that a surge in entries in junior traditional style singing in 2014 had held up this year, with around 100 competitors in this section alone.

While tradition plays an important part in keeping the language alive, a new 21st-century teaching resource, targeting children who do not attend Gaelic-medium schools was showcased yesterday.

The online learning programme Go! Gaelic, which is expected to appeal to adult learners as well as children, even has its own app in order to appeal to the next generation of Gaels.

Produced by Gaelic education resources organisation Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, the programme aims to fit in with the Scottish Government’s policy of ensuring that every child has the chance to learn a second language.

Donald Morrison, Chief Executive of Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, said: “I would say that it’s of really significant importance and that it provides those outwith Gaelic medium with the opportunity to engage with Gaelic.

“It’s also important in growing the numbers, raising the awareness, and informing people of the value of the language in Scotland.

“By taking this to a wider audience, we expect the pupil numbers to grow and that more people in Scotland will be informed about one of Scotland’s original languages.”

The new resource received financial backing from the Scottish Government, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and the Gaelic Language in the Primary School consortium.

John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “The Mòd is all about the teaching, learning and use of the Gaelic language, so I am thrilled that this year we can provide a platform for bodies to launch their plans to support keeping the Gaelic language alive.”