I am learning Gaelic through the Ùlpan method. The course consists of 144 structured units of one and a half hours each and delivered by a trained Tutor. The units can be covered in classes every week or on intensive courses. There are 6 levels to the whole course so you can see your progression and each level consists of 24 units. I have completed the first 48 units.
What time commitment is there?
As with any method of learning, you will get most out of Ùlpan if you spend time learning the vocabulary and practising what you have learned – for example with another learner or even your children. However, if you are not able to commit much time to study you can still learn good, natural pronunciation and increase your confidence in reading and speaking.
Why would you recommend this course / why does it suit you?
Ùlpan is all about learning in a natural way through listening to and repeating phrases, and reinforcing the learning with games and excercises. The phrases and vocabulary covered in Ùlpan are very relevant to everyday life, and particularly useful for helping with my children’s homework.I have four young children, and like most parents I don’t have a lot of free time! Ùlpan works well for me because the entire class is spent speaking Gaelic. As my time is limited I want to spend it speaking Gaelic rather than listening to explanations of grammatical points in English. It is also useful that there is a revision session at the start of every unit.
Ùlpan is a very accessible method of learning because the units are so well structured. This makes it easier for Gaelic speakers to become tutors, and as a result there are always a lot of classes on offer at various different stages. So if you have to take a break for a while due to family commitments, it is easy to pick up where you left off.
Is this the only course you are on or are you learning Gaelic in a different way as well?
In addition to my Ùlpan class I have been with my family to a Learning Week at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. I am also learning additional vocabulary through using a “teach yourself” book and CD. I find that self-study can help to supplement learning but can never replace a class – particularly at beginner level it is important to get into a class where you are hearing naturally spoken Gaelic and interacting with a tutor.
Tha mi ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig le Ùlpan. Tha 144 aonadan de dh’uair a thìde gu leth a dh’fhaid agus air an libhreagadh le taoitear a chaidh a thrèanadh a dh’aona-gnothaich. Gabhaidh na h-aonadan a dhèanamh gach seachdainn no air cùrsa bogaidh. Tha 6 ìrean aig a’ chùrsa gus am faic thu d’ardhartas agus tha 24 aonadan anns gach ìre. Tha mise air a’ chiad 48 aonad a choilionadh.
Dè an ùine a dh’fheumas tu cur seachad?
Mar dòigh ionnsachaidh sam bidh, bidh barrachd feum ann an Ùlpan mar chuireas tu seachad ùine ag ionnsachadh a’ bhriathrachais agus cleachdadh na tha thu air ionnsachadh – mar eisimplear le neach-ionnsachaidh eile no le clann. Ge-tà, mur as urrainn dhut tòrr ùine a chur seachad, thèid agad air fuaimneachadh math, nàdarra ionnsachadh agus misneachd a thogail ann leughadh is labhairt.
Carson am moladh tu an cùrsa seo? Carson a tha e a’ tighinn riut?
Se brìgh Ùlpan ionnsachadh ann an dòigh nàdarra tro èisteachd ri abairtean is an aithris agus an t-ionnsachadh a neartachadh tro gheamaichean is dubhlain. Tha na h-abairtean is briathrachas ann an Ùlpan freagarrach do bheatha laitheil agus gu h-àraid feumail airson cuideachadh na cloinne len obair-dachaigh.
Tha ceathrar phaiste òg agam agus mar a’ mhòr-chuid de phàrantan, chan eil tòrr ùine shaor agam! Tha Ùlpan math dhomhsa oir tha an clas air fad anns a’ Ghàidhlig. Bhon nach eil an t-uabhas de dh’ùine agam, b’fheàrr leam a chur seachad bruidhinn na Gàidhlig seach a bhith ag èisteachd ri mineachdaidhean gràmair sa Bheurla. Tha e feumail cuideachd gun toirear sùil air ais air an obair roimhe aig toiseach gach aonaid.
Se dòigh gu math fosgailte a th’ann an Ùlpan oir tha na h-aonadan air an eagrachadh cho math. Tha seo ga fhàgail furasta do luchd na Gàidhlig a’ dol nan taoitearan agus air sgàth sin tha daonnan tòrr chlas ri fhaotainn aig diofar ìrean.
An e seo an aon chùrsa a tha thu dèanamh no a’ bheil thu ag ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig ann an dòigh eile cuideachd?
A bharrachd air a’ chlas Ùlpan agam, chaidh mi comhla ri mo theaghlaich do
Seachdainn Ionnsachaidh aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Tha mi ag ionnsachadh briathrachais a bharrachd le leabhar ‘Teach Yourself’ agus CD. Saoilidh mi gu bheil fèin-ionnsachaidh na chuideachadh do dh’ionnsachadh ach cha b’fhiach e as aonais frithealadh chlas – gu h-àraid aig ìre-toiseachaidh tha e cudromach clas a lorg far an cluinn thu Gàidhlig air a labhairt gu nàdarra agus còmhradh ri tidsear.
