Gaelicmedium

Gaelic-medium education (GME) refers to teaching and learning conducted primarily through Scottish Gaelic, with English taught as a subject. In this model Gaelic is the language of instruction for most or all subjects, and pupils typically develop fluency in Gaelic and literacy to high levels.

In Scotland, GME operates at both primary and secondary levels. Provision includes Gaelic-medium primary schools, Gaelic-medium classes in English-medium schools, and Gaelic-medium preschools. Historically concentrated in the Highlands and Islands, provision has expanded to urban areas such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, reflecting rising demand from families and communities.

Policy and curriculum: GME is part of Scotland's language revitalisation strategy. It is delivered under the Curriculum for Excellence, with Gaelic as the language of instruction in the relevant phases and English taught as a separate subject. The Scottish Government supports GME through Gaelic language plans, teacher recruitment, and resources to ensure school development and parental access.

Outcomes and challenges: Students in GME typically achieve national qualifications and graduate with high proficiency in Gaelic. GME contributes to language vitality and cultural transmission. Challenges include recruiting and retaining Gaelic-speaking teachers, ensuring consistent progression from primary to secondary, and securing ongoing funding and resources in some communities.

Overall, Gaelic-medium education aims to provide high-quality education through Gaelic while supporting broader language revival and cultural heritage for Gaelic-speaking communities.