Heritage Project for Schools Delivered

Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches has been delivering a project to secondary schools with Gaelic provision which aims to encourage and strengthen inter-generational transmission of Gaelic in the young people’s local communities.

At this stage two schools have carried out interviews with local Gaelic speakers as part of the project ‘Dualchas sa Choimhearsnachd’, namely Inverness Royal Academy and Islay High School. S5 and S6 pupils from the Academy organised interviews with five Gaelic speakers in the local area, who spoke about various subjects relating to Gaelic including traditional music, shinty, myths and placenames.

S2 pupils at Islay High School carried undertook interviews with two women from the island, in which they talk about their lives and their memories of growing up in Islay including mention of hobbies, schooldays and their diet.

The interviews are available at https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/dualchas

Tobar an Dualchais delivered five online training sessions to both teachers and pupils as part of the project on the following topics: introduction to the project and Tobar an Dualchais; research skills; interview skills; video training; and permissions and copyright.

Seonaidh Charity, Gaelic teacher for S5 & S6 pupils at Inverness Royal Academy commented: “During this project our pupils used their Gaelic within a different context and one which challenged them. It is very important that pupils get the chance to use Gaelic out with the school environment and this is exactly what this project encouraged them to do. Over and above this, they also got the opportunity to attend training sessions with a variety of tutors. Using their Gaelic with other speakers in their local community created a relationship and a link between generations.”

The project is broadly suitable for S2-6 pupils, depending on their level of fluency and is appropriate for a number of subjects within the school curriculum such as Gaelic, History, Geography, Scottish Studies, Modern Studies, and Music.

Elsie Maclean, TAD’s Marketing Officer stated: “This is the first time we’ve undertaken this kind of project with schools. We’re delighted that the project has led to links being developed between pupils and other Gaelic speakers in their communities, as inter-generational transmission plays a vital role in keeping languages alive. The young people who took part were very enthusiastic and the interviews they did with local Gaelic speakers were excellent. This was a pilot project which we hope to run again in the 2023-24 academic year, if funding is available.

Tobar an Dualchais is very grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Gaelic Language Promotion Trust for their funding assistance. We would also like to thank e-Sgoil for their help with the organisation of the project.