Free Gaelic classes for council workers

A GAELIC arts organisation is collaborating with Glasgow City Council to offer its workforce free language lessons.

After surveying its employees, the council received many responses expressing an interest in learning and enhancing Gaelic skills as well as developing a deeper appreciation and understanding of the associated culture.

The local authority is now partnering with Fèisean nan Gàidheal (FnG) to deliver lunch and evening classes to any employees keen to participate. FnG has a formal education arm, Fèisgoil, which has been delivering Gaelic tuition in schools.

Eilidh Mackenzie, manager of Feisgoil, said: “Glasgow has long held a strong link to Gaelic and we are thrilled to be working alongside the council.

“With an active Fèis, a fourth Gaelic medium school in the city and a surge in people learning Gaelic online in recent years, it is a great time to be supporting the council with its development of the language in the city.

“We have a really exciting team of tutors involved, who come armed with a variety of experience and interests which we hope will really benefit the participants.”

There will be a nine-week online series of lessons including eight progressive sessions with a designated tutor and one week with Glasgow Gael, Gaelic singer and broadcaster, Mary Ann Kennedy who will take participants through her own experiences as a Gaelic speaker growing up in a multi-lingual part of Glasgow, exploring how things have changed through policy and grass-roots activity.

Donald MacPhee, Gaelic development officer with Glasgow City Council, said: “It is a great opportunity for staff to learn Gaelic in a fun and relaxed way online with a fantastic line-up of tutors. Learning and using Gaelic will be among the key priorities in the council’s next Gaelic Language Plan so it’s a really positive sign that so many staff have signed up.”