An Cùrsa Inntrigidh
AWARD: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig certificateSTUDY MODE: Distance Learning,Part-time
DURATION: 10 months or 18 months
CODE: N/A
COURSE LEADER: Dr Julia Macleod
COURSE CONTACT: Distance Learning Team ( )
DESCRIPTION
An Cùrsa Inntrigidh is a supported distance learning Gaelic course for complete beginners and learners with a little Gaelic. This self-study, tutor-supported Gaelic learners’ course is made up of three parts – Earrann 1, 2 and 3 – with a number of start dates each year. Timetables are available below.
- The emphasis during learning is on speaking and listening skills, but reading and writing skills are also an important part of the course.
- Course materials are accessed online and consist of study workbooks, sound files (or CDs) and tutorial workbooks.
- Most of the learning is through self-study and weekly online tutorials with other students and a tutor, helping students to practise what they have been learning with fellow students.
- Further conversation practice and revision is available on one of the course’s optional Summer Schools, normally held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
- With small class sizes of up to eight students per tutorial group, participants are able to get to know each other and feel like a small community of their own, no matter where they are in the world.
- There are a number of start dates for each part of the course between August and June each year. The course can be studied through the Standard Track or the Accelerated Track. Which track a student chooses depends on their knowledge of Gaelic, on their language learning experience and the time they have available to commit each week to the course.
- For each week of the Standard Track, study time is estimated at between 8 and 10 hours, and for each week of the Accelerated Track, study time is estimated at between 10 and 12 hours.
On completion of the course, students should be able to use Gaelic reasonably confidently and will be eligible for entry to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s first year university level Gaelic courses. For further details, please see CertHE An Cùrsa Comais (our on-campus Gaelic immersion course) and CertHE An Cùrsa Adhartais (our two-year distance learning course at the equivalent level of An Cùrsa Comais). An Cùrsa Inntrigidh has been awarded a CILT European Language Award and the Routledge Prize for Adult Learners in recognition of its innovative approach to distance delivered second language learning.
COURSE CONTENT
An Cùrsa Inntrigidh is a self-study, tutor-supported Gaelic course for beginners made up of three parts – Earrann 1, 2 and 3. There are a number of start dates each year. See timetables below.
Study and weekly tutorials
Course materials are accessed online and consist of study workbooks, sound files (or CDs) and tutorial workbooks and make up a carefully structured learning programme. Students learn in their own time, in advance of a weekly group online tutorial with a tutor. The tutorials are an essential part of the course, allowing students to practise what they have learnt and are led by experienced Gaelic language tutors. Each tutorial lasts about one hour. You can read a sample exercise from the course here and also listen to a sample exercise below.
Certificate of completion
In order to gain a Sabhal Mòr Ostaig certificate of completion, students are required to pass assessments for each part of the course, and to attend a minimum of 60% of the online tutorials.
Assessments
Assessments are an important part of the learning process and are issued at the end of each part of the course. For further information, refer to the Student Handbook above. On successful completion of the course, students may gain entry to An Cùrsa Comais or progress to An Cùrsa Adhartais (subject to interview).
Extra study
Conversation classes – ‘Sibh fhèin a-nis!’ – offered to An Cùrsa Inntrigidh students registered on Earrannan (Parts) 2 and 3
Further opportunities for our students to practise their Gaelic speaking skills are now being offered through our new weekly, very small conversational sessions ‘Sibh fhèin a-nis!’, with an experienced tutor from An Cùrsa Inntrigidh. Students registered on Earrannan 2 or 3 will be able to sign up for a bundle of 16 sessions, one every week throughout the normal Earrann (Standard Track).
Information for students on the Accelerated Track (Bann Luath) will be available soon.
The sessions will be 45 minutes long, with up to 5 students (on Zoom; students can phone in as well).
You will have the chance to practise your conversation skills with other students from the same intake, who will therefore be at exactly the same place in the course. There is no extra preparation needed for the sessions, which will provide a relaxed and informal opportunity to practise what you have learned in An Cùrsa Inntrigidh study, with a tutor present to help and guide you as needed.
The sessions will run in line with our An Cùrsa Inntrigidh timetable.
Students interested in booking a place for ‘Sibh fhèin a-nis!’ should contact the Distance Learning Team ().
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
PROGRESSION ROUTES & EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS
Successful recent completion of An Cùrsa Inntrigidh allows entry to An Cùrsa Adhartais.
How to apply
Please click here and submit the enquiry form.
Any questions regarding the course can be directed to the Distance Learning Team on 01471 888 449 or by submitting the above enquiry form. The next intake of Earrann (Part) 1 is in the autumn of 2024.
Entry Requirements
Students must have access to a computer and possibly a phone. See Computer Requirements.
Fees and funding
Students ordinarily resident in Scotland: £335 per Part (3 parts in total)
Students ordinarily resident outwith Scotland: £405 per Part (3 parts in total)
Help with funding
If a student thinks they will have difficulty with the payment of fees, they should speak to the College admin staff. Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is always willing to help find solutions.
How to apply
Please click here to submit the enquiry form.
Any questions regarding the course can be directed to the Distance Learning Team on 01471 888 449 or by submitting the above enquiry form. The next intake of Part 1 is the autumn of 2024.
Timetables
The intake pattern for the course is shown here: 
An Cùrsa Inntrigidh intake pattern The next intakes of Earrann (Part) 1 are August 2024, September 2024 and January 2025. The 2024-25 timetables can be seen below:
Timetables for Accelerated Track
Accelerated Track Earrann (Part) 1, 2 & 3: August 2024–June 2025
Timetables for Standard Track
Standard Track Earrann (Part) 1 and 2: September 2024–June 2025
Standard Track Earrann (Part) 2 and 3: September 2024–June 2025
Standard Track Earrann (Part) 3: September 2024–January 2025
Standard Track Earrann (Part) 1: January – June 2025
Tutorial times
Tutorial time choices are given before Induction Week, and each student’s tutorial time is confirmed during Induction Week. A number of times from Monday to Friday are available, and students retain the same tutorial time for each part of the course.
Preparation and Induction to the course
For registered students, there is an online Induction Week two weeks before the course start date, which ensures that you are familiar with the practical and technical aspects of the course, and is a good way to meet classmates. A Preparation Week then takes place a week before the course start date and gives students the opportunity to talk to other students and their tutor and to make a start on their coursework at their scheduled tutorial time.
Holiday dates
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is closed over Christmas and New Year. In addition, there is a summer break, a week in October and a week at Easter for all Distance Learning students. No other local, national or bank holidays are taken.
Closing dates for registrations
Closing dates for registrations are in place to allow Sabhal Mòr Ostaig staff the time to complete registrations, finalise student numbers
and allocate tutorial times for Preparation and Induction Weeks.
ENQUIRY FORM
If you would like to make an enquiry about An Cùrsa Inntrigidh, please do so here.
‘DÈ DO NAIDHEACHD?’
Below you will find newsletters from our An Cùrsa Inntrigidh students:
