Learn Scottish Gaelic
With Slighe nan Gaidheal
SEATTLE - The Gaelic language of Scotland is the source of some of the greatest music, literature, and poetry of Europe. It inspires great enthusiasm and love from Gaels and non-Gaels worldwide. Slighe nan Gaidheal, the Seattle-area Gaelic language and cultural society, promotes the language through its ongoing program Zero to Gaelic, a series of periodic Gaelic Intensive Days.
On November 18, they are offering an opportunity for total beginners to join the program as they start a new annual cycle. There are also openings at two higher levels for newcomers who are already studying the language.
The Intensive Day will be held in Seattle at University Heights Center for the Community (5031 University Way N.E.). The cost for each Intensive is $30 for members of Slighe nan Gaidheal and $40 for non-members. Classes begin at 9:30 AM and run to 4 PM (with breaks).
Richard Hill, one of the founders of Slighe nan Gaidheal, will be introducing Gaelic to the beginners' group. He is a Seattle resident, well-known for his work with Gaelic songs. He has been teaching Gaelic for more than 20 years.
The second presenter is Seumas Gagne, another fluent learner, Gaelic-language instructor, and musician from Seattle, who will be putting the intermediate class through its paces.
Muriel Fisher, native speaker from the Isle of Skye, Director of the Tuscon Gaelic Institute, and tutor in Scottish Gaelic at the Critical Languages Program of the University of Arizona, will work with the advanced group. Fisher is the author of Scottish Gaelic textbooks, and a regular presenter at Gaelic language events in the U.S. and Scotland.
New this year will be a class for the "Z2G graduates", who will be practicing their language skills in three tracks: aural comprehension and conversation based on "Litrichean do Luchd Ionnsachaidh" by Ruaridh MacIlleathain, Gaelic song, and conversational games. This is a self-led group, open to all advanced learners.
Because they use a variety of presenters who come from Seattle and elsewhere, they don't use a single textbook. However, their three-year program does use a standard 48-unit curriculum, so that all learners can have a sense of what to expect and study for.
This also makes it easier for students who may have skipped a class. This curriculum is available on their website. Slighe nan Gaidheal also offers other resources, such as e-mail discussion groups and outside study sessions.
For further information and to register for the session on November 18, contact: Slighe nan Gaidheal, P.O. Box 31834, Seattle, WA 98103. Website: www.slighe.com. E-mail: edcomm@slighe.com. Telephone (206) 903-9452 (message phone).
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