Professional Development Course for Gaelic Teachers Now Recruiting

Streap, the highly successful postgraduate course for Gaelic teachers, is seeking  new recruits for the 2015 to 2016 session.

The course is run in partnership between Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College, and the University of Aberdeen, and is fully-funded by  the Scottish Government.

Streap is aimed at teachers already working in Gaelic medium, or with the fluency in Gaelic to move from English medium teaching. The main focus of the course is on the development of language and professional skills for Gaelic medium teaching. Teachers on the course will build on their professional portfolio throughout, and can achieve 60 credit points at SCQF level 11 if they complete Streap. 

Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to providing opportunities to those interested in teaching through the medium of Gaelic and Streap is part of a suite of courses available. With a 40 per cent increase in pupils entering P1 Gaelic medium education since 2007, we are pleased to continue to support this course and give those attracted to this career the chance to succeed.”

Course materials are available via the MyAberdeen online learning environment, and teachers can undertake most of the study and assessment for Streap in their homes or work-place. There are also  face-to-face meetings (three per session), where the teachers can meet their tutors and other members of the course team, and regular telephone tutorials.

Nine teachers are currently working to complete Streap this session, and applications for the new session are invited by 29 May 2015 for the 2015 to 2016 session.

Siùsaidh NicNèill, the first teacher to receive the Streap post-graduate qualification when the course began in 2006-2007, said: “I found the course to be most useful in terms of language skills, teaching methods and the confidence I gained. I would like to do a similar course in the future.”

For further information about Streap and details of how to apply, please go to:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/education/degrees-programmes/gaelic-medium-education-pgcert-436.php