Clì Gàidhlig - Ùlpan

the voice of Gaelic learners

the gaelic access and promotion organisation

For tutors

How will Ùlpan help tutors?

1. by extending the skills base of tutors
2. by providing thorough training in language teaching
3. by supplying comprehensive and tested teaching plans and materials
4. by providing accreditation according to internationally recognised standards
5. by introducing a precise method of assessing student attainment levels
6. by improving employment opportunities

Who can train as an Ùlpan tutor?

Anyone who can speak Gaelic fluently and has the requisite inter-personal skills can train as a tutor.

Ùlpan is a highly-structured system, which requires well-trained tutors to deliver it successfully.  

But the methodology is in the course. 

If delivered correctly the students will learn, regardless of a tutor's previous teaching experience.

It is hoped that a broad range fluent speakers throughout Scotland, who have an interest in helping the revival of the language, but who lack the expertise and materials to begin tutoring, will be attracted to teach by this new system.

It is likely that young, fluent speakers will play an important role in developing the network of Ùlpan classes, especially those in higher education, regardless of their chosen field of study. With Ùlpan, they can derive income from their linguistic abilities if they opt to train as tutors. 

It is envisaged that Clì Gàidhlig will help to co-ordinate the establishment of a network of classes on behalf of tutors.  It is hoped that Ùlpan, with its opportunities for earning, will attract many Gaels to teaching, whatever their age, and that this will have a significant impact on native speaker attitudes to Gaelic as something dynamic.

How much does the training course cost?

*£420 / £820 which includes :

1. training literature in advance of face-to-face training
2. introductory weekend: a two-day practical course introducing core skills
3. six-day immersion course, teaching real students: a mixture of learning and tutoring i.e. supervised teaching practice, which will be recorded for the purposes of accreditation
4. independent accreditation and registration
5. tutors’ course books: step-by-step notes with photocopyable activities for Units 1-72
6. all student materials for Units 1-72

i.e. 8 days of training in total, a complete set of student and teaching materials,  and accreditation.  A variety of payment methods will be offered so as not to exclude those on lower incomes.

(A variety of payment methods will be offered so as not to exclude those on lower incomes.”)

* Bòrd na Gàidhlig generously covers £400 of the cost of training for those not sponsored by organizations in receipt of funding to train tutors. This means that the lower price will apply unless the trainee is being sponsored.

What does the training course consist of?

The introductory weekend will familiarise trainee-tutors with the Ùlpan methodology and ethos, key skills and their contractual obligations with Deiseal Earranta.

The six-day immersion course will have two classes of seven students. There will be two groups of six trainees circulating between teaching students and workshops where training in basic grammar, Gaelic dialects, teaching pronounciation, group management etc., will be delivered. The sessions will also provide opportunities for peer review learning.

Further skills development weekends in years two and three will be offered to deal with the different methodologies needed for the advanced levels of Ùlpan.

How are tutors to be assessed and accredited?

The assessment and accreditation mechanism is under negotiation with Wlpan authorities in Wales. During the six-day course, each tutor will deliver four units of Ùlpan.  The key skills to be achieved include:

1. ability to deliver and revise drills effectively
2. efficient time-keeping within the session
3. flexible responses to language acquisition issues
4. efficient explanation and initiation of language activities

A set of accreditation criteria will be available to trainees at all stages of training.  An individual trainee-tutor’s sessions will be recorded on DVD by Deiseal. The assessor from Wales will use the DVD to prepare a report, upon which an accreditation interview will be based. Interviews will take place within a few weeks of the completion of the course.

If someone does not reach the required standard only because they need a little more time to fully absorb the methods, further training will be offered. It is important for Ùlpan’s reputation that the system always delivers the highest standards of tuition.

If your are interested in training as an Ùlpan tutor, phone Mechthild – 01463 226 710.

Ulpan@cli.org.uk