The Courses Available at Dunoon Grammar School Are Outlined Below

Gaelic

In secondary school there are Scottish Qualification Authority courses and examinations for Gaelic at all levels. Pupils are described as taking either 'Gàidhlig' (i.e. Gaelic-medium) or 'Gaelic (learners)', although 'Gaelic' is also used as a generic term. Pupils who have had Gaelic-medium education in primary school take 'Gàidhlig' while those with no previous knowledge of the language take 'Gaelic (learners)'. Pupils who have had Gaelic-medium education are not permitted to sit learners' examinations.

Those who choose to take the language in later years may consider continuing their studies in higher education and will perhaps even use Gaelic in their subsequent career. Degree courses in Gaelic or arts degrees in which Gaelic can be a component are offered by several universities.

The courses available at Dunoon Grammar School are outlined below.

Gaelic-medium ('Gàidhlig')

S1 and S2

At Dunoon Grammar School it is usual, though by no means compulsory, for pupils who have had Gaelic-medium education in primary school to continue to study the language. The aim of the S1 and S2 courses is to build on work done in primary school through an overview of language skills. These skills are carefully related to tasks which fulfil Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes. It is important to establish a sound understanding of how the language works at this stage, especially if a pupil intends to study it further. A gentle introduction to Gaelic literature is also essential and is very conducive to exploring associated cultural and historical themes. Pupils in S1 and S2 will be given a booklet of tasks to complete over the year and parents are asked to acknowledge this by signing it at the beginning of the academic session.

There are many aspects of learning Gaelic which remain constant throughout the year groups. Those who make a conscious effort to use the language and to learn new words and phrases will clearly benefit the most and stand the best chance of achieving high attainment.

S3 and S4

(NB: Standard Grade qualifications for all subjects will be discontinued after the 2012-13 session and will be replaced by National 4 and National 5.)

Standard Grade Gàidhlig is a largely literature-based course and is naturally more demanding than first and second year. An important part of the course is studying the work of prominent twentieth-century Gaelic writers and poets, such as Iain Crichton Smith, Derick Thomson and Sorley MacLean. It is imperative to learn the language skills needed to meet the demands of the texts and to develop a confident writing technique, particularly for the completion of the Standard Grade folio.

Link to Standard Grade Gàidhlig on SQA website:

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42586.html

S5/6

As in other subjects, Higher Gàidhlig is a significant step up from the Standard Grade and Intermediate courses. It is intended that this should be so and that pupils should adopt an altogether more mature method of study. The basic skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking remain, albeit at a far more sophisticated level, in addition to literature and culture components. In general, Higher candidates must be able to work more efficiently and independently than has previously been required of them and demonstrate an analytical and critical approach to texts. This would involve, for example, not only considering the language and meaning of a piece of literature, but setting it in its cultural and historical context and taking account of the author's purpose and intended audience.

Link to Higher Gàidhlig on SQA website:

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/42596.html

Gaelic (learners)

Standard Grade Gaelic (learners) was offered as a subject choice in 2011 to pupils entering S3 with no previous knowledge of the language. The topics covered in the course are very similar those in other learners' language courses such as French or German and include family, friends, hobbies, school, travel, work, weather and time.

Link to Gaelic (learners) courses on SQA website:

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/2837.html

Changes in the curriculum

Like all other subjects, both Gàidhlig and Gaelic (learners) courses are undergoing changes as the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence proceeds. A major change is the replacement of Intermediate and Standard Grade qualifications by 'National 4' and 'National 5'. Pupils who are currently in second year (2011-12) will be the first to sit these examinations. It is likely that relatively little will change as far as the actual content of Gàidhlig / Gaelic courses is concerned, bearing in mind that Curriculum for Excellence is primarily about teaching and assessment methods. When the details of the new qualifications are confirmed we will explain them to parents and pupils.

Communication between teacher, pupils and parents

It is quite understandable that the structure and nature of Gaelic courses can sometimes be misunderstood. Feedback is therefore welcomed from pupils and parents alike, especially if any part of course work is unclear or problematic. Parents' evenings are excellent opportunities for discussion and attendance is encouraged.

Dictionaries

A Gaelic dictionary is essential for homework and for building and maintaining vocabulary, especially in later years. This is one of the most useful dictionaries:

Teach Yourself Gaelic Dictionary by Boyd Robertson and Iain MacDonald (London: Hodder Education). Gaelic-English and English-Gaelic.

Pupils will also find the on-line Gaelic dictionary invaluable (see link below).

Links

Parents and pupils will find these websites interesting and informative. Some are entirely in Gaelic; others may appear in Gaelic but can be changed to English.

Stòr-dàta - on-line Gaelic-English / English-Gaelic dictionary

http://www2.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/faclair/sbg/lorg.php

Co-fhaclair Gàidhlig - a Gaelic thesaurus

http://gaidhlig.ltscotland.org.uk/stuthantaic/thesaurus/index.asp?dm_i=LQE,KLVS,3LDKWT,1OAAS,1

Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig - company specialising in publishing, co-ordination and distribution of Gaelic educational materials

http://www.storlann.co.uk/

Ceumannan - the website accompanying a series of textbooks for Gaelic learners

http://www.storlann.co.uk/ceumannan/index.html

Dealas - interactive website for Gaelic learners

http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/dealas/index.shtml

Tobar an Dualchais - includes thousands of recordings from oral tradition of Gaelic stories songs, poetry and music from 1930s onwards

http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/

BBC Alba / Rèidio nan Gàidheal - Gaelic television and radio; includes many links

http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/

Naidheachdan - part of the BBC website; a summary of the day's news in Gaelic with a recording and transcript of the 11am bulletin

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba/naidheachdan/

Làrach nam Bàrd - website about Gaelic bards from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries with excellent audio and video recordings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam/larachnambard/