Young Speakers’ Use of Gaelic in the Primary Classroom: A multi-perspectival pilot study

This study is set within a changing educational policy and development landscape for Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in Scotland. GME was established in 1985 with 24 pupils and, in 2011-12, 2418 students were enrolled in GM primary schools or departments throughout Scotland (Bòrd na Gàidhlig, 2011). Currently 60 primary schools and 37 secondary schools across Scotland offer Gaelic medium (GM) provision. GME has been the subject of academic interest of various scholars since its inception (e.g. Johnstone et al 1999, O’ Hanlon et al, 2010 and 2012a,Müller,
2006). This study complements previous research on young people’s Gaelic practice and attainment and responds to renewed interest in the linguistic competencies of pupils educated in GME. This study draws on new empirical data
of primary pupils’ use of Gaelic in a GM classroom case-study to focus on the gap in our knowledge and understanding of Gaelic form and use by young people. The small-scale pilot project, which is situated at the interface of linguistic and pedagogical interest, will be the basis for a larger-scale project proposal to measure the language competencies of young Gaelic speakers in the context of the classroom.