University staff encouraged to learn Gaelic with new toolkit | Luchd-obrach an oilthigh air am brosnachadh a bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig le inneal ùr
STAFF at the University of the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to learn Gaelic with a new online toolkit.
Launched today, the interactive resource will be available to employees around the partnership, who are based everywhere from Shetland to Dunoon and from Lewis to Moray. It includes audio files, animations, puzzles and word lists to help staff learn to read, write and speak the language.
The university, which offers Gaelic courses through Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI on Skye and Lews Castle College UHI on the Isle of Lewis, received funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s Gaelic language act implementation fund to develop the resource. It was then produced by Skye-based company Cànan.
Scottish National Heritage, the Forestry Commission and CalMac are just some of the organisations to have worked with Cànan to develop their own, tailored toolkits.
University of the Highlands and Islands staff are already encouraged to learn Gaelic as part of their professional development plans and those based in Inverness have the opportunity to attend a weekly conversation class.
The university was the first Scottish Higher Education institution to produce and implement a Gaelic Language Plan, a Scottish Government requirement for all public sector organisations.
Alasdair Allan, Minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages, said: “I am pleased to see UHI joining other organisations across Scotland in providing staff the opportunity to gain some experience in the Gaelic language.
“It is important that bodies are able to interact with the Gaelic communities that they serve and this will enable UHI to do this and help ensure a vibrant future for the language.”
Brian Boag, subject network leader for arts and social science at the university and a Gaelic learner, said: “As a fairly new learner, I find the toolkit concept to be really helpful, accessible and enjoyable – it certainly keeps me engaged.”
Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive, John Angus Mackay, said: “The University of the Highlands and Islands has a significant role to play in encouraging the learning and use of the Gaelic language on an everyday basis. In language learning a range of resources are needed and it is very encouraging to see this toolkit coming on-stream.
“UHI is to be congratulated on this initiative to complement existing resources and we hope that staff in institutions across the network will use them to enhance Gaelic language learning.”
ENDS
Thathas a’ brosnachadh luchd-obrach aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean a’ Ghàidhlig ionnsachadh le inneal air-loidhne ùr. Agus e air a chur air bhog an-diugh, bidh an goireas eadar-obrachail ri fhaotainn do luchd-obrach air feadh a’ chom-pàirteachais, a tha air an suidheachadh sa h-ùile àite bho Shealtainn gu Dùn Omhainn agus bho Leòdhas gu Moireibh. Tha e a’ gabhail a-steach fhaidhlichean claistinneach, dealbhan beò, geamaichean agus liostaichean de dh’fhaclan gus an luchd-obrach a chuideachadh a bhith a’ leughadh, a’ sgrìobhadh agus a’ bruidhinn a’ chànain.
Fhuair an t-oilthigh, a bhios a’ tabhann chùrsaichean Gàidhlig tro Shabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI san Eilean Sgitheanach, agus Colaisde a’ Chaisteil air Eilean Leòdhais, maoineachadh o mhaoin buileachaidh achd na Gàidhlig aig Bòrd na Gàidhlig gus an goireas a chruthachadh. Chaidh a dhèanamh an uairsin le Cànan, companaidh a th’ air a suidheachadh san Eilean Sgitheanach. Tha Dualchas Nàdair na h-Alba, Coimisean na Coilltearachd agus CalMac am measg nam buidhnean a dh’obraich le Cànan gus na h-innealan sònraichte aca fhèin a chruthachadh.
Thathas mar-thà a’ brosnachadh luchd-obrach Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean a bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig mar phàirt de na planaichean leasachaidh dhreuchdail aca agus tha cothrom aig an fheadhainn a tha air an suidheachadh ann an Inbhir Nis pàirt a ghabhail ann an clas còmhraidh seachdaineach. B’ e an t-oilthigh a’ chiad bhuidheann àrd-fhoghlaim an Alba a chruthaich agus a ghnìomhaich Plana Gàidhlig, rud a tha mar riatanas aig Riaghaltas na h-Alba air a h-uile buidhinn san roinn phoblaich.
Thuirt Alasdair Allan, am ministear airson ionnsachadh, saidheans agus chànanan na h-Alba: “Tha mi toilichte gu bheil UHI a’ tighinn còmhla ri buidhnean eile air feadh Alba ann a bhith a’ toirt cothrom don luchd-obrach aige beagan eòlais a chur air a’ Ghàidhlig. Tha e cudromach gum bi e comasach do bhuidhnean a dh’eadar-obrachadh leis na coimhearsnachdan Gàidhlig air am bi iad a’ frithealadh agus leigidh seo le UHI seo a dhèanamh agus àm ri teachd beòthail a dheanamh cinnteach airson a’ chànain.”
Thuirt Brian Boag, stiùiriche an lìonra chuspairean airson nan ealain agus nan saidheansan sòisealta aig an oilthigh, a tha ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig e fhèin: “Thòisich mi a bhith ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig o chionn ghoirid agus ’s e rud gu math cuideachail, ruigsinneach agus spòrsail a th’ anns an inneal – co-dhiù tha e a’ glacadh m’ aire-se.”
Thuirt Iain Aonghas MacAoidh, ceannard Bhòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha àite cudromach aig Oilthigh na Gàidhealtachd agus nan Eilean ann a bhith a’ brosnachadh ionnsachadh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig o latha gu latha. Ann an ionnsachadh cànain tha feum air farsaingeachd de ghoireasan agus tha e gu math brosnachail an t-inneal seo a bhith ga chur air bhonn. Bu chòir meal-an-naidheachd a chur air UHI airson an tionnsgnaidh seo a chuireas ri goireasan a th’ aca mar-thà agus tha sinn an dòchas gun cleachd an luchd-obrach air feadh an lìonra iad gus an neartaich iad ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig.”
CRÌOCH
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