News from the cousins

BBC Alba on Freeview on June 8 (May 23, 2011)
http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/bbc_alba_on_freeview_on_june_8_1_1640610

BBC Alba is to be available on Freeview from June 8.

Alasdair Allan MSP commented: “I am delighted that after much campaigning the BBC Trust has decided to allow BBC Alba on Freeview, where it will be going live in only a few weeks. I know that the channel also became available on Cable last week.

“This is a major step forward for both the channel and the Gaelic language. Every person in Scotland should soon have access to this excellent and important channel." (More at www.stornowaygazette.co.uk.)

New Gaelic scheme for teachers (May 25, 2011)
http://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/local-headlines/new_gaelic_scheme_for_teachers_1_1643315

Twelve teachers from across Scotland are taking part in a unique pilot training programme to assist with the increased demand for Gaelic-speaking primary and secondary school teachers.

In a new partnership between Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Glasgow University, the teachers have spent a concentrated four days being taught various aspects of language development in the classroom. Demand for the programme has been overwhelming and preparations are already underway for it to be repeated. (More at www.stornowaygazette.co.uk.)

Teachers go back to classroom to learn to give lessons in Gaelic (May 26, 2011)
http://www.scotsman.com/news/Teachers-go-back-to-classroom.6774454.jp

Soaring demand for children to be taught in Gaelic has led to a pilot scheme to train non-native speakers.

Glasgow alone has seen the number of pupils taught by teachers speaking Gaelic rather than English almost double in less than four years.

Now a pilot scheme at Glasgow University has seen 12 teachers from across Scotland, who normally teach in English, learn how to teach in Gaelic. (More at www.scotsman.com.)