Lockdown luminaries
Mum and daughter launch online classes to keep pupils.. and parents.. engaged in learning
THIS year’s Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Scottish Gaelic Awards are under way and the judges have been overwhelmed by the latest entries to our annual celebration of Gaelic life in Scotland.
In keeping with the issues many of us have faced during the pandemic, a new Innovation During Lockdown award has been added to the categories.
Nominated in the category are mum and daughter Hana MacNeil and Rachel, seven, who set up a Gaelic classroom with friends on Facebook, including videos on a range of subjects. A mum of three and a part-time teacher, Hana decided to set up Clasrum Air an Òir – sharing ideas, lessons and printouts in Gaelic, accessed by more than 1000 people on Facebook.
Hana, 37, said: “I ’m surprised and delighted to be nominated.
“We established a Gaelic Facebook page and put on daily lessons in spelling, numeracy and reading, and we did baking on Fridays and a topic on animals.
“Rachel and I aimed at primary school kids but older people, Gaelic speakers, have been able to get involved too, including parents.” Also nominated in the category are Hands Up For Trad, who announced TIONAL, the first online Gaelic music festival.
Lauren Ferguson is nominated for her innovative use of social media to showcase her makeup talent and highlighting of the Gaidhlig language in a new setting.
And sticking with social media, Slainte Mhath Soisealta are nominated for creating a Gaelic Medical Instagram account.
The winners of the awards, which pay tribute to all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language, will be revealed at a virtual event on December 15.