Richard Tarves Testimonial
Richard Tarves, Isle of Lewis
My wife is a native Gaelic speaker, but I had no awareness of Gaelic before we met. When the children came along, we were keen for them to grow up speaking Gaelic and there was an obvious opportunity for me to learn along with them. Needless to say, their young brains have soaked up the language, while I have struggled to keep up!
Despite my shortcomings when it comes to helping with homework, the decision to go with Gaelic Medium Education has been a good one, for everyone in the family.
I really value the benefits that GME is giving our children, both those specific to Gaelic and the well-documented general advantages of bilingualism for other aspects of learning, such as problem solving.
Opportunities to perform in events like the local and national Mod have been fantastic for improving the boys’ confidence and public-speaking skills, as well as a great shared experience for all those taking part. I have been really impressed with how their primary school creates an inclusive atmosphere where Gaelic and English (Gaelic Learner) classes work together on projects and school stage productions.
It’s not just the children who benefit – the language skills and greater awareness of their Gaelic heritage mean they have been able to communicate on a deeper level with their island grandparents, who think as well as speak in Gaelic. My own parents have been motivated to learn a little Gaelic too.
I think this cultural awareness and ability to appreciate different backgrounds will stand our children in good stead as they grow up and start careers. I’m hearing about lots of benefits for job prospects, as employers value the skills that bilingualism fosters. Gaelic is increasingly being recognised as an economic asset, so the number and range of jobs for which speaking Gaelic is an advantage is growing all the time.
What’s not to like?!
Richard Tarves, Eilean Leòdhais
Tha mo bhean na neach-labhairt dùthchasach Gàidhlig, ach cha robh eòlas agam air a’ Ghàidhlig mus do choinnich sinn. Nuair a bha clann againn, bha sinn airson ’s gum biodh iad a’ fàs suas a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig, agus bha cothrom math ann dhomhsa ionnsachadh còmhla riutha aig an aon àm. Cha leigear a leas a ràdh, ach tha an eanchainnean òga air a’ chànan ionnsachadh gu furasta, agus mise air a bhith a’ strì ri cumail suas!
A dh’aindeoin mo laigsean nuair a thig e gu bhith a’ cuideachadh le obair-dachaigh, tha an co-dhùnadh Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig a thaghadh airson ar cuid cloinne air a bhith ceart, airson a h-uile duine san teaghlach.
Tha mi a’ cur luach mòr anns na buannachdan a tha FtG a’ toirt dhan chloinn, an dà chuid an fheadhainn a thaobh na Gàidhlig gu sònraichte, agus na buannachdan coitcheann dearbhte cuideachd a tha an lùib dà-chànanachas airson taobhan eile de dh’ionnsachadh, leithid fuasgladh cheistean.
Tha cothroman a bhith an sàs ann an tachartasan mar a’ Mhòd ionadail is nàiseanta air a bhith mìorbhaileach airson misneachd agus sgilean labhairt poblach nam balach a leasachadh, a bharrachd air an tlachd a fhuair a h-uile duine a bha a’ gabhail pàirt às. Tha mi air a bhith air leth toilichte leis mar a bhios am bun-sgoil aca a’ cruthachadh àrainneachd ion-ghabhalach far a bheil clasaichean Gàidhlig is Beurla (Luchd-ionnsachaidh na Gàidhlig) ag obair còmhla air pròiseactan agus taisbeanaidhean air àrd-ùrlar na sgoile.
Chan e a’ chlann a-mhàin a gheibh buannachd às – tha na sgilean cànain aca agus am mothachadh nas fheàrr a th’ aca air an dualchas Gàidhlig a’ ciallachadh gu bheil iad air a bhith comasach air conaltradh aig ìre nas doimhne len sean-phàrantan air an eilean, a bhios a’ smaoineachadh agus a’ bruidhinn sa Ghàidhlig. Tha mo phàrantan fhèin air a bhith air am brosnachadh gus beagan Gàidhlig ionnsachadh cuideachd.
Tha mi a’ smaoineachadh gum bi am mothachadh cultarail seo agus an comas nas fheàrr tuigse fhaighinn air cultaran eadar-dhealaichte na bhuannachd dar chloinn fhad ’s a bhios iad a’ fàs suas agus a’ tòiseachadh air dreuchdan. Tha mi air cluinntinn mu iomadh buannachd a thaobh chothroman obrach, leis gu bheil fastaichean a’ cur luach anns na sgilean a bhios dà-chànanachas a’ leasachadh. Thathas ag aithneachadh barrachd is barrachd gur e so-mhaoin eaconamach a th’ anns a’ Ghàidhlig, agus mar sin, tha an àireamh agus sreath de dh’obraichean far a bheil e na bhuannachd a bhith a’ bruidhinn na Gàidhlig a’ sìor fhàs.
Carson nach còrdadh seo ri duine sam bith?!
