Primary Education with Gaelic (Learners)

Course description

Our MA (Hons) in Primary Education with Gaelic aims to support you to become a Gaelic-medium educator who will develop the professional values of:

* trust

* respect

* integrity

* a commitment to the principles of social justice

The programme has been developed to help meet the national shortage of Gaelic teachers and to enhance the professional capacity of future teachers.

On this degree, you will benefit from an immersion experience at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.

**Learning and practice**

This programme is based in the Moray House School of Education and Sport and will give you the opportunity to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of:

* learning

* children as individual learners

* the pedagogies associated with the primary curriculum

Through extended and sustained professional practice in Gaelic-medium and English-medium primary schools you will develop:

* professional expertise

* knowledge of the curriculum in action

* critical understanding of the complexities of school and community

Graduates of the programme are able to teach in Gaelic-medium or English-medium primary education.

**Celtic and Scottish Studies**

The programme also provides you with the opportunity to study courses in Celtic and Scottish Studies in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC).

You will acquire spoken and written skills in Scottish Gaelic and deepen your understanding of the language's history, linguistic structure and rich literary heritage.

You will benefit from internationally-renowned expertise in LLC, which takes in different areas, periods and disciplines of Celtic studies including:

* theoretical and practical issues of current sociolinguistics

* language policy

* language revitalisation

**Why Edinburgh?**

The city of Edinburgh has a long-established Gaelic community and a lively contemporary cultural scene. For example, there are:

* conversation groups for practicing Gaelic socially

* fèisean for performers

* an annual festival, Seachdain na Gàidhlig

LLC is also a founding member of Soillse, the National Research Network for the Maintenance and Revitalisation of Gaelic Language and Culture.

Through the Gaelic Algorithmic Research Group (GARG), LLC is leading an international team researching modern technologies for Gaelic, including the development of the world's first working Automatic Speech Recognition system for the language.

In addition, LLC has a Traditional Artist and Gaelic Writer-in-Residence, a composer/musician and a writer who work with staff and students on a range of projects and performances.

**Mental health and wellbeing partnership**

Student teachers at the University of Edinburgh can also engage with our mental health and wellbeing programme.

This is provided through our unique partnership with children's mental health charity Place2Be and helps you to support mental wellbeing in your classrooms and in yourself.

Subjects

• Educational studies
• Gaelic