Nuair a bha am mac bu shine againn gu bhith a’ tòiseachadh san sgoil, bha beagan de dh’iomagain oirnn mu bhith ga chlàradh ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig.
Leis nach eil Gàidhlig agam fhìn no aig an duin’ agam, cha robh mi a’ smaoineachadh gum biodh e comasach dhuinn taic a thoirt dha aig an taigh, agus bha eagal orm gum biodh e a’ fulang air sgàth sin.
Ach, cha b’ fhada gus an robh e soilleir gun deànadh sinn a’ chùis gun trioblaid sam bith. Thàinig e ris gu nàdarrach!
Tha ultach de chothroman air a bhith ann dha leis gu bheil e dà-chànanach – gu h-àraidh leis gur e an rud as fheàrr leis a bhith air àrd-ùrlar air beulaibh dhaoine!
Tha e air pàirt a ghabhail aig na Mòdan, Fèisean, agus an-uiridh, nochd e mar ghuth ann an cartùn airson BBC Alba – cothroman air leth!
Tha am mac as òige againn, a tha nas sàmhaiche na nàdar, air soirbheachadh gu math cuideachd. B’ e aon àm sònraichte dhuinn uile a bhith ga fhaicinn a’ gabhail prìomh phàirt ann an dealbh-chluich a chlas aig a’ Mhòd ionadail; bha e ag aithris nam faclan aige le misneachd mhòr agus Gàidhlig fhileanta air an àrd-ùrlar – rud nach robh sinn a-riamh a’ smaoineachadh a bhiodh e deònach a dhèanamh.
Tha an nighean againn san Sgoil-Àraich an-dràsta agus bidh i a’ tighinn dhachaigh gach latha le abairtean agus òrain ùra.
Bidh iad a’ cur seachad a’ mhòr-chuid den ùine aca sa chàr a’ seinn nan òran Gàidhlig as ùire a dh’ionnsaich iad – gan seinn cho àrd ’s a ghabhas!
Tha sinn air leth toilichte gun do chlàraich sinn iad ann am Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig.
Tha e na thoileachas mòr a bhith gan cluinntinn a’ bruidhinn ri teaghlach is nàbaidhean, agus fios againn gu bheil iad a’ cuideachadh gus a’ Ghàidhlig a chumail beò.
Ach, ’s e an rud as fheàrr leamsa gu pearsanta a bhith gan cluinntinn a’ bruidhinn ri chèile… dh’fhaodadh gu bheil iad a’ dealbhadh rudeigin nam aghaidh, cò aig a tha fios, ach tha e na thoileachas mòr co-dhiù!
Catriona Macrury Gaelic Medium Testimony
When our oldest son was due to start school, we were apprehensive about enrolling him in Gaelic Medium Education (GME).
As neither my husband nor I speak Gaelic, I didn’t feel we would be able to support him at home and worried he would suffer as a result.
However, it soon became evident that he would manage absolutely fine.
He flourished!
There have been so many opportunities for him as a Gaelic speaker, especially since his favourite thing to do is perform!
The Mòd, Fèis, and cartoon voiceovers are just a few of the highlights.
Our younger son, who is quieter by nature, has also thrived.
One highlight for us all was seeing him take on a main role in his class’ Mòd play, confidently reciting his lines in fluent Gaelic on stage, something we never thought he would be up for.
Our daughter is currently in Sgoil-Àraich; she is like a little sponge and comes home every day with new phrases and songs.
They spend most of their time in the car singing the latest Gaelic songs they’ve learned, singing them at maximum volume, of course!
We are so pleased we enrolled them in GME.
It is such a joy hearing them converse with family and neighbours, knowing that they are contributing to keeping Gaelic alive.
However, the greatest part is hearing them conversing with each other… they might be plotting against me for all I know, but it is such a joy nonetheless!
