Bilingualism Matters deputy director Dr Thomas Bak today addressed the latest cohort of qualified Gaelic teachers. Dr Bak outlined the benefits of bilingualism, with a talk entitled “How can learning Gaelic help the brain? Cognitive effects of learning languages across the lifespan”.
The talk was designed to help teachers explore the benefits of speaking multiple languages with students and their parents, as well as to encourage the teachers themselves to make the most of their language skills.
“The good news is that a lot of the benefits we are looking at are apparent in people who started learning languages later in life”, said Dr. Bak. “So even when someone does not grow up with Gaelic in their household, by becoming a qualified Gaelic teacher they are not just able to pass on the benefits of bilingualism to students in Gaelic Medium Education – they are also reaping those rewards for themselves.”
The conference is organised by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the national body responsible for promoting the Gaelic language in Scotland), as part of range of initiatives to make sure newly qualified Gaelic teachers are fully supported.
“The demand for Gaelic-medium education continues to grow across Scotland with parents recognising how much of an advantage it gives children”, said the team behind today’s event. “As a result of this there is a need to strengthen the infrastructure of Gaelic education and learning generally by supporting the recruitment of a confident, appropriately trained workforce in order to service the expansion of Gaelic education. Along with the help of the Scottish Government, Local Authorities and further education institutions Bòrd na Gàidhlig supports initiatives to increase the range of courses available to those wishing to enter teaching, or to transfer to teaching Gaelic or through the medium of Gaelic. It is paramount to the future of Gaelic education that we continue to help facilitate the recruitment of talented individuals to educate, inspire and encourage the new generation of Gaelic speakers across Scotland.”
Get more information about becoming a Gaelic teacher in Scotland on Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s dedicated website
