A GAELIC summer school on a Scottish island is offering fully funded places to complete beginners to learn the national language.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, announced it is offering 12 places to a seven-week intensive course based on the Isle of Skye that offers students the opportunity to “immerse themselves” in Gaelic language and culture.
The course, An Cùrsa Drochaid, will run from June 30 until August 15 and will have all fees, accommodation, and catering fully funded by the Scottish Government for all successful applicants.
Following the completion of the seven-week course, participants will enroll in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s one-year immersion course, An Cùrsa Comais, with the opportunity to continue to Gaelic degrees in teaching, development, traditional music, or the media.
Tim Armstrong, An Cùrsa Drochaid course leader, said the course was a “big success” last year and that anyone from the UK can apply.
He said: “The aim of An Cùrsa Drochaid is to provide – people who have not yet had access to Gaelic learning – a bridge into our Gaelic immersion and degree programmes.
“We ran the course last year and it has been a big success, with students now enrolled on our immersion course, An Cùrsa Comais, and many planning on further study and a career in Gaelic.
He added: “We encourage anyone to apply, from school leavers to students on gap-years, to life-long learners. “We are looking for people with an interest in Gaelic and who can commit to learning the language for at least a year at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s beautiful Skye campus.”
Mairi Gaffney, who was a previous student on An Cùrsa Drochaid, recalled that everyone who took part in the course were “really encouraging” and that it was a “highly rewarding” experience.
She said: “I began Cùrsa Drochaid last year with minimal Gaelic and it really gave me the grammar structures and confidence in my conversation skills to continue into a full-time degree in Gaelic.
“This August I’ll be starting my second year on Sabhal Mòr Ostsig’s BA Gaelic degree.”
She added: “I grew up just outside of London and I had limited access to Gaelic and I found that online courses weren’t enough to expand my vocabulary and confidence in speaking the language.
“An Cùrsa Drochaid was a good gateway into Gaelic, and I found the environment really welcoming as someone who didn’t have a lot of experience with Gaelic culture.
“Everyone on the summer course was really encouraging, other students on campus helped improve my language skills, and the social events made the experience fun and positive.
For anyone wanting an immersive Gaelic experience – that is intense but highly rewarding – apply for An Cùrsa Drochaid.”
Applications for the course opened on February 17 and anyone interested must register via the online form here to receive an application package.
The deadline to apply is April 30 with the course beginning on June 30.
