GAELIC HOT SPOT
College acquires Atlantic Gaelic Academy from Sydney man
College acquires Atlantic Gaelic Academy from Sydney man.
The Gaelic College is extending its reach to students around the world.
The college, located in St. Anns Victoria County, recently acquired the Atlantic Gaelic Academy, which has offered online courses in MacDonald Scottish Gaelic since 2007.
The academy has provided seven courses associated with the Gaelic language through Skype involving students and instructors from across Canada as well as other countries.
“The Atlantic Gaelic Academy is a very exciting opportunity for the Gaelic College and it’s a great fit with our mandate and what we’re doing academically and culturally,” said Gaelic College CEO Rodney MacDonald.
“It presents opportunities for us and it opens doors moving forward both from the post-secondary side of things as well as I believe long-term at the high school level as well.”
The Atlantic Gaelic Academy was created by Bob Leonard, originally of Sydney, and his wife Margaret. Prior to the purchase, the academy’s headquarters was based out of Fredericton, N.B.
Last year, the academy had 130 students enrolled for classes from September to May. Some students are also participating in summer sessions.
“It’s not like a simple online course,” said MacDonald. “For three hours a week you are part of a class and could be with people from Ontario, West Virginia or Scotland with an instructor that could be from the United Kingdom or Cape Breton — it’s unique.”
The Gaelic College has offered programs in Scottish Gaelic language, music and dance at its campus in St. Anns since 1938.
The college had an enrolment of close to 900 students this past year and offers university
courses in the spring for both second-year and third-year level Gaelic immersion.
MacDonald believes the acquisition is an important step forward for the college.
“We’re going through a growth phase in the last number of years and we don’t see that stopping,” said MacDonald. “We see continued growth on the horizon — we’re committed to the promotion and the teaching of Gaelic language.”
“The Atlantic Gaelic Academy is a recognized brand around the world — for Bob and Margaret Leonard, this has been a passion for them, so they’ve
built this from the ground up.”
The academy has an advisory committee and MacDonald confirmed Leonard will remain on its board.
The purchase cost of the academy was not disclosed.
Atlantic Gaelic Academy will begin its fall term in late September, with classes ranging from new beginner to advanced.
For more information about the courses, contact Joyce MacDonald at 902-295-3411 or visit www.gaelicacademy.ca.