People from throughout Lewis and Harris gathered at e-Sgoil on Wednesday afternoon 7
th February 2018, to hear about Dìleab an t-Siorraidh, a new project set up by Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie, as a testimony to his keen interest in Gaelic.Giving an address, the Sheriff, who is himself a Gaelic learner, said that in his youth he had been told that Gaelic wouldn’t survive for
much longer but that she was still alive and he hoped always would be.
“Every language in the world is valuable in its own way,” he said, “and Gaelic is a very special language to us.”
He told the audience that he had decided to use his own money to encourage the youth to
make use of their language skills. While this year it will be a pilot scheme in Lewis and Harris only, he is hopeful that Dìleab an t-Siorraidh will continue for a long time and can be extended across
the islands with other people’s financial support.
The project aims to encourage Gaelic-speaking pupils to use and improve their language skills through a competition for Primary 7 pupils from schools throughout Lewis and Harris.
They will have to prepare a short talk about a school-based topic or subject of personal interest as well as converse with two assessors. Making use of e-Sgoil technology, the assessors will be able to link into each school so that the pupils can remain in a familiar environment in which they are comfortable.
The pupil demonstrating the highest level of fluency will be awarded a prize of £50 and schools will receive a monetary reward for each pupil participating which can be used towards a ‘treat’ for their cohort. Evaluation sheets from the competition will allow schools to assess their pupils’ ability individually or as cohort, and can also form part of individual students’ Pupil Progress Report.
The project will be launched at e-Sgoil in February and the assessments will take place annually toward the end of school term 3.
Representatives from schools, churches and Gaelic organisations were present among others and were given the opportunity to ask questions before young musicians from Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich brought the event to a close.
It is hoped that children with the support of teachers and parents will now start preparing for the competition, with assessments scheduled to be held before the end of May.
For further information, please contact Mira Byrne on mbyrne1u@gnes.net or 01851 822 850.
th February 2018, to hear about Dìleab an t-Siorraidh, a new project set up by Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie, as a testimony to his keen interest in Gaelic.Giving an address, the Sheriff, who is himself a Gaelic learner, said that in his youth he had been told that Gaelic wouldn’t survive for
much longer but that she was still alive and he hoped always would be.
“Every language in the world is valuable in its own way,” he said, “and Gaelic is a very special language to us.”
He told the audience that he had decided to use his own money to encourage the youth to
make use of their language skills. While this year it will be a pilot scheme in Lewis and Harris only, he is hopeful that Dìleab an t-Siorraidh will continue for a long time and can be extended across
the islands with other people’s financial support.
The project aims to encourage Gaelic-speaking pupils to use and improve their language skills through a competition for Primary 7 pupils from schools throughout Lewis and Harris.
They will have to prepare a short talk about a school-based topic or subject of personal interest as well as converse with two assessors. Making use of e-Sgoil technology, the assessors will be able to link into each school so that the pupils can remain in a familiar environment in which they are comfortable.
The pupil demonstrating the highest level of fluency will be awarded a prize of £50 and schools will receive a monetary reward for each pupil participating which can be used towards a ‘treat’ for their cohort. Evaluation sheets from the competition will allow schools to assess their pupils’ ability individually or as cohort, and can also form part of individual students’ Pupil Progress Report.
The project will be launched at e-Sgoil in February and the assessments will take place annually toward the end of school term 3.
Representatives from schools, churches and Gaelic organisations were present among others and were given the opportunity to ask questions before young musicians from Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich brought the event to a close.
It is hoped that children with the support of teachers and parents will now start preparing for the competition, with assessments scheduled to be held before the end of May.
For further information, please contact Mira Byrne on mbyrne1u@gnes.net or 01851 822 850.
