Bun-sgoil agus Sgoil Àraich Beinn Chamshroin Mount Cameron Primary School and Nursery
Aithris Adhartais Foghlam Ghàidhlig
Gaelic Education Position Statement
EDIA
April
2014
1.0 Rationale
Language is at the heart of children’s learning. Through language they receive knowledge and acquire skills.
Language enables children both to communicate with others effectively for a variety of purposes and to
examine their own and others’ experiences, feelings and ideas, giving them order and meaning. Language,
being central to children’s intellectual, emotional and social development, has an essential role across the
curriculum and helps pupils’ learning to be coherent and progressive.
Children’s earliest language is acquired in the home and in early years groups and activities. This language
will be varied but it will mirror the diversity of the community the school serves and will contribute to
learning in the classroom. The school builds on the linguistic skills the child has already acquired in either
Gaelic or in English. These skills will be handled with sensitivity by teachers so as to meet individual needs,
encourage confidence and make learning a pleasurable experience.
At Mount Cameron Primary our curriculum vision and values are embedded in our school jigsaw of aims and
Curriculum Rationale, aligned to Curriculum for Excellence, legislation and meeting the evolving needs of
our children within a framework of economic challenge and exponential times. We consistently work on
raising standards of education, and raising attainment the core purpose of Curriculum for Excellence.
Mount Cameron Primary operates two streams of learning – English Medium Education and Gaelic Medium
Education. The whole school has a positive attitude towards Gaelic. School staff are committed to ensure that
the curriculum is delivered in Gaelic and that Gaelic language and culture is promoted across the school.
Staff help our children to get to know themselves better as learners through personal learning planning,
tracking of achievements and evaluations of “SMART” targets set, in addition to the use of assessment is for
learning strategies and quality management processes like coursework monitoring and individual feedback
discussions with every child. We ensure that children understand the purposes of their learning activities
and see the value of what they are learning and the relevance to their lives, present and future.
The atmosphere and ethos of Mount Cameron Primary School and Nursery positively promotes the Gaelic
language and affords it equal respect. In Mount Cameron Gaelic classes our key priority is to raise
attainment. We want our children to be proud, confident Gaelic speakers who achieve their full potential
and benefit from an enriching curriculum as they travel along their lifelong learning journey. We work
together to provide our pupils with skills which help each individual to fulfil their social and intellectual
potential benefiting the wider Scottish economy.
1.1 Gaelic Medium Education
“Throughout their education, children and young people should experience an environment which is rich in
language and which sets high expectations for literacy and the use of language. Children and young people
need to spend time with stories, literature and other texts which will enrich their learning, develop their
language skills and enable them to find enjoyment. Spoken language has particular importance in the early
years. Teachers will balance play-based learning with more systematic development and learning of skills
and techniques for reading, including phonics.” Curriculum for Excellence; Literacy and Gaelic Principles and
Practice
Gaelic Medium Education is based on the principle of language immersion. The early stages of learning through
the medium of Gaelic and where no other language is used, is referred to as total immersion. The next phase –
where the development of the other language (English) is introduced - is referred to as immersion but with the
entire curriculum continuing to be delivered through the medium of Gaelic.
In Mount Cameron Primary School the school aims to enable children:
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to develop Gaelic language skills and knowledge so that that they can understand Gaelic and
communicate accurately in Gaelic
to feel equally confident in the use of Gaelic and English
to use both Gaelic and English in a full range of situations within and outwith school
to develop and foster positive attitudes towards Gaelic language and culture
to develop an awareness of languages, and the benefits of bilingualism/multilingualism.
The curriculum as far as possible is explored through the medium of Gaelic. Gaelic specific vocabulary is
taught in all curricular areas to enable children to have a breadth and richness in their Gaelic language.
Staff reinforce accuracy in the use of Gaelic language in all curriculum areas. Gaelic language grammar and
skills are consolidated and developed further in other areas of learning and Interdisciplinary Learning (IDL)
contexts. Interdisciplinary learning happens at every stage providing valuable opportunities for the children
to extend their language skills.
At Mount Cameron Primary we ensure that our children know that the Gaelic language belongs to the
whole of Scotland and that Gaelic language also underpins Scottish identity. We teach our children about
the rich Gaelic culture and heritage of Scotland and that they play a very important part in shaping the
future for Gaelic language. All the children from the Gaelic classes meet weekly for a Gaelic Coinneimh
(Assembly) and have the opportunity to participate in cross stage learning. Our children have told us that
they enjoy learning in the Gaelic classes. They recognise and understand the benefits of having two
languages and having the opportunity of learning a third. They very much enjoy the experiences and
opportunities they have, that further develop their Gaelic language skills.
Children are highly motivated to learn Gaelic, and learning experiences are relevant and related to skills for
learning, life and work. Children have many opportunities to interact with other Gaelic speakers in a range
of situations and contexts. For example; Comunn nam Pàrant Gaelic week of activities in Edinburgh; local
and national Mod events; annual Gaelic Drama festival; featuring in BBC Gaelic Radio and Television
programmes. These links positively impact on the quality of children’s learning experiences in that they are
able to share their learning and make connections in a wider Gaelic community. Learning Gaelic becomes
relevant and meaningful in a broader context. The school has formed very close links with a variety of
partners including Parents/Carers, support agencies, Calderglen High Gaelic Department, Bòrd na Gaelic,
BBC television and radio, An Comunn Gàidhealach, Comann nam Pàrant, Fèisean nan Gàidheal and
Education Scotland.
1.2 Curriculum for Excellence Levels - Gaelic Medium Education
Total Immersion
Phase – Early Level
and First Level
(usually midway
through Primary 3)
All learning is through the medium of Gaelic and taken forward in a caring and
nurturing environment. Children hear Gaelic from a variety of sources e.g. from
their class teachers/early years practitioners, other staff members, visitors,
older children, class monitors and audio and visual texts.
Immersion Phase –
First Level (usually
midway through
Primary 3-Primary 4)
Skills in English language are introduced gradually in discrete activities. This
includes phonics into spelling; talking and listening, reading and writing. English
language skills are reinforced in other areas of learning and curricular areas. By
the end of First Level most children are beginning to create short texts in
English. Most children will also be reading at a comparative level to Englishmedium classes. The language of the classroom is Gaelic.
Immersion Phase –
Second Level
(Primary 5 – Primary
7)
At Second Level children will have been introduced to and developing, extended
vocabulary and Gaelic idiom. By the end of Second Level children will be
completing activities around 50% in Gaelic and English. Literacy skills in both
Gaelic and English are developed in all curricular areas. However the language
of the classroom is Gaelic.
1.3 Total Immersion Phase (Early Level/First Level – P1- usually midway through Primary 3)
Total Immersion in Gaelic language at Mount Cameron Primary School usually happens until mid-way through
Primary 3. The children hear and will, in time, speak, read and write Gaelic. Teachers ensure that Gaelic is the
language of learning and of communication, and that all areas of the curriculum are taught through the
medium of Gaelic. The learning environment is a literacy-rich and visually stimulating place, to encourage
language development which focuses on the correct uses of language and subject-specific vocabulary.
Adopting a range of appropriate teaching methodologies will make use of natural and real contexts to support
children and young learners in developing their Gaelic language skills. An emphasis is placed on talking and
listening and providing children with opportunities to experience and hear Gaelic in a range of situations,
before beginning to read and write. This provides them with breadth and richness of language.
When managing the learning and teaching of groups which include children who are already fluent in Gaelic,
have Gaelic in the home or through extended families and those who have no Gaelic background a sensitive
approach is adopted to ensure that children are challenged at the level appropriate to their language
competence.
Transition from nursery to Primary 1 is very important to us. The children in the nursery regularly participate in
whole school activities or specific Gaelic activities with the Primary 1 class e.g onery sessions; drama activities.
Talking and Listening
In Mount Cameron Primary, greater emphasis is initially placed on talking and listening, with reading and
writing being introduced as the child’s knowledge and understanding progresses. Teaching approaches are
engaging, motivating and interactive. The meaning of new words and phrases are indicated through visual
cues, such as gesture, mime and pictures rather than through explanation in English. Songs including action
and repetition, language games, telling and discussing a story, role-play, play and visual materials are used
extensively. To increase confidence and the feeling of success, teachers engage children in planned
purposeful play activities, have a focus on Active Learning approaches to teaching and learning, and provide
children with opportunities to interact with other Gaelic speakers in a range of different situations.
Children hear Gaelic from a variety of sources e.g. from their own teacher, other staff members, visitors,
peers who already fluent speakers, older children, class monitors, websites, apps and radio and T.V.
programmes. They are encouraged to speak Gaelic and given enthusiastic praise in their efforts to build
upon their new language acquisition.
Children are encouraged to start using Gaelic as soon as possible, firstly with isolated words and phrases
and then with more open-ended talk. Children will begin to use Gaelic words in English sentences
progressing to Gaelic sentences with English words as they progress from the latent to the active phase in
acquiring their language. When a child wants to talk about an experience but can only express it in English
he/she is permitted to do so but the teacher sensitively re-tells the story in Gaelic. Teachers model the
accurate use of Gaelic and encourage children to improve their language structures. Children also hear and
are taught a wide range of progressive Gaelic language structures, including Gaelic idiom.
Some children attending Mount Cameron are fluent Gaelic speakers who may have Gaelic as their strongest
language. They will continue to develop oral Gaelic language in the Immersion Phase, and may progress in
reading and writing of Gaelic earlier than their peers.
Reading
“Reading and responding to literature and other texts play a central role in the development of learners’
knowledge and understanding. Texts not only include those presented in the traditional written or print
form, but also orally, electronically, or on film.” Curriculum for Excellence, Literacy and Gàidhlig, Principles
and Practice.
In Mount Cameron Primary, Gaelic reading skills will initially be acquired through class talking and listening
activities, and alongside the Gaelic phonics programme. The children are introduced to the key vocabulary
they encounter in reading activities and across areas other areas of learning. Children will be introduced to
Gaelic reading once their oral competence allows them to use Gaelic in a productive way (as distinct from
repeating set expressions). Children use Gaelic Storyworlds books as core reading material. Audio versions
of reading books are available on Gaelic4Parents website to assist with homework.
Phonics and Spelling
In Mount Cameron Primary, Phonics are taught alongside reading activities, using a range of resources and
approaches to learning. These include Facal is Fuaim and the North Lanarkshire Active Literacy Programme
approach, adapted to meet the needs of the Gaelic language and the children in Gaelic-medium education.
The phonics programme will be covered in Primary 1-3 and spelling programme from P4-7
Writing
In Mount Cameron Primary, writing skills are initially developed through class talking and listening activities
with a great deal of teacher support. A range of approaches and resources including the North Lanarkshire
Literacy Approach and Big Writing are used to ensure activities meet the needs of the children but provide
challenge. Children will use sounds, letters and words they have explored and learned to write short texts.
Opportunities arise to develop sentence structures at news time, through play and in conveying and
carrying out instructions. Teachers scribe the children’s stories until their oral competence, reading skills,
phonics development and letter writing formation are secure enough to enable them to write
independently. Teachers always encourage children to ‘have a go’.
1.4 Immersion Phase (First Level/Second Level - usually mid-way in Primary 3 - Primary 7)
First and Second Level
Talking and Listening
At the immersion phase, in Mount Cameron Primary the curriculum continues to be taught through the
medium of Gaelic across all four aspects of learning. Teachers continue the immersion in Gaelic language,
by providing a clear structure for learning and further development of Gaelic language skills, including
extended Gaelic idiom. An emphasis is placed on listening and talking to allow learners to practise, use and
enrich their Gaelic. Listening and talking opportunities are extended to other areas of the curriculum.
Gaelic language structures and vocabulary will be planned for and consolidated in all curricular activities.
E.g. Vocabulary and/or language structures introduced in a literacy activity may be linked to the language
referred to later in a science activity. This will provide opportunity for the children to use their Gaelic
language structures in a range of contexts. Teachers reinforce Gaelic language structures to ensure depth
and breadth in learning. As children develop Gaelic language structures they are introduced to and in time
use more complex and extended language. In Mount Cameron Primary children learn Gaelic language
structures in fun and collaborative activities. Teachers track and monitor progress in Gaelic language
development.
Talking and listening skills developed in Gaelic are transferrable skills which can be further developed in
Gaelic and English at the Immersion Phase of Gaelic-medium education. English talking and listening is
introduced alongside English reading or writing skills. On occasions children may be taught English literacy
by a non-Gaelic speaking teacher.
English Language is gradually introduced towards the end Primary 3 (March-June) through the medium of
Gaelic, with Gaelic remaining the predominant language of the classroom in all curricular areas. Pupils are
familiarised with English phonics and blends, paying particular attention to letters and sounds that they did
not encounter in Gaelic.
As English is the dominant language in many of the children’s lives, it may be that once a bilingual
programme is introduced, children may revert to using English in the classroom situation. Every effort is
made to continue to encourage and reward the development of oral Gaelic with class incentives and
positive reinforcement.
Reading and Writing
In Mount Cameron Primary teachers track and monitor progress in Gaelic language development. Teachers’
monitoring and tracking of progress and achievement will confirm that children have a secure base in Gaelic
language to transfer to developing reading and writing skills in English language. The continuous
development, orally, of sentence structure, grammar and vocabulary is essential to the understanding and
the further development of the pupils’ Gaelic reading and writing skills.
Children will be aware of the skills they are learning in reading and writing. The children are involved in
setting outcomes for their reading and writing skills. They are set clear learning intentions and success
criteria for activities and blocks of work. Staff ensure that pupils engage with a wide variety of texts and
that pupils understand the wider meaning of text.
Children at Immersion – phase 1 in Mount Cameron Primary are introduced to English reading alongside
English phonics. The children usually make rapid progress in English reading and phonics as they have
already learned skills and reading strategies in Gaelic reading (de-coding, predicting etc) which they can
transfer to another language. Children will continue to develop Reading and Writing in Gaelic and English
progressing through the Experiences and Outcomes as identified in Curriculum for Excellence. Pupils
follow an English Reading Programme only, for the remainder of P3, transferring reading skills learnt in
Gaelic and applying to English, with writing usually being introduced in P4 and developed and extended
until P7.
Children write frequently for a variety of purposes. Contexts for writing are often provided through
interdisciplinary learning. During the second phase of Second Level (usually P6/7) children will be aiming
to use literacy skills confidently in both Gaelic and English.
At Mount Cameron Primary we want to ensure that children are making progress to equal fluency and
literacy in both Gaelic and English by the time they leave primary school and that they are secure in both
Gaelic and English.
Examples of texts
novels, short stories, plays, poems
reference texts
the spoken word
charts, maps, graphs and timetables
advertisements, promotional leaflets
comics, newspapers and magazines
CVs, letters and emails
films, games and TV programmes
labels, signs and posters
recipes, manuals and instructions
reports and reviews
text messages, blogs and social networking sites
web pages, catalogues and directories
At Mount Cameron we have close links with Calderglen High School and Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. Our
children attend various transition events in preparation for high school and P4-7 attend Gàidhlig clubs out
with the pupil day. Liaison with the secondary schools means pupils extend skills learned in primary and
further develop their conf idence with using Gàidhlig in different contexts.
1.5 1+2 Languages = Gaelic + English and French
As part of the national 1+2 Languages Programme children are entitled to learn at least three languages as part
of their Broad General Education (BGE). Children in Gaelic Medium Education learn Gaelic as their main
language from Primary 1 and are introduced to English at Primary 3. From Primary 5 onwards they will also be
informally introduced to the French language through daily routines, calendars and instructions. At Primary 6
and 7 children will continue to develop French language aiming to have a secure understanding of how the
French language works, enabling them to use the French language well to communicate ideas and information.
Children are taught French usually by a Gaelic speaking teacher to ensure that Gaelic language can remain as
the class language when children are unable to communicate in French. Children will have the opportunity to
continue with all three languages when they transfer to secondary education in Calderglen High.
1.6 Assessment and Reporting
This is an integral part of teaching and learning and pupils are continuously assessed in an informal way as part
of the daily class routine. Assessment is for Learning (AifL) strategies are used and formative assessment
supports learning, informing pupils of how they can improve their work. Pupils are involved in discussions
about their learning and they set their own learning targets using Personal learning Plans/learning Logs which
they regularly reflect on and evaluate with the teacher and their parents/carers.
1.7 Additional Support Needs
At Mount Cameron Gaelic GIRFEC is at the centre of all we do. GIRFEC is consistently used by all staff to focus
on what makes a positive difference on the impact of outcomes for children and how this can be achieved
through targeted planning, joined up working, maximising resources and building a wide suite of supports. The
pupil voice and parental views are key strands of our holistic approach to meeting needs and working on
personalisation and choice. All attempts are made to reduce potential barriers to learning and providing
equality of opportunity for every child within a nurturing and safe environment matched to our jigsaw of school
aims. Teachers will give careful consideration to planning activities to ensure that children and young people
with additional support needs are fully supported in their learning.
Children in Gaelic Medium Education at Mount Cameron Primary School and Nursery who require additional
support are supported in line with the school’s Additional Support Needs Policy.
1.8. Partnership with Parents and Carers
At Mount Cameron Primary parents are encouraged to use Gaelic with their children or learn Gaelic to support
children with homework. Classes are provided on a weekly basis for parents and carers who are interested in
learning Gaelic.
Useful Websites
 South Lanarkshire Gaelic Language Plan http://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/8946/gaelic_language_plan_2013-2018
 Storlann - www.storlann.co.uk/
 Gaelic 4 Parents - www.gaelic4parents.com
 Feisean nan Gaidheal http://www.feisean.org/en/
 Bòrd na Gàidhlig - www.gaidhlig.org
 BBC Alba - www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_alba
 BBC Foghlam - www.bbc.co.uk/alba/foghlam
 Learn Gaelic http://learngaelic.net/