PRESS RELEASE
Cathy launches national Gaelic campaign
Air Splaoid! enables Scotland to discover Gaelic in 2007
TV and radio celebrity Cathy MacDonald has helped launch a new learners’ project which encourages people to discover Gaelic during the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture, 2007.
Air Splaoid! (On the Adventure!) is available online and is free to everyone in Scotland and indeed throughout the world. It is available on the BBC website and through any learning centre in Scotland.
www.airsplaoid.co.uk comprises:
- a monthly fun animation which introduces the learning concepts for that month, based around Dwelly, the Gaelic guide and five intrepid adventurers learning Gaelic as they travel: Seanair, Melodaidh, Munro, Morag and Brochan
- lessons, games, interactive phrasebook, e-cards and a travel guide.
The learning experience is supported by a national promotional campaign including school visits and events.
“Air Splaoid! is really exciting,” says Shirley Grant, Air Splaoid! Project Manager. “As well as being full of fun, people can choose a way of learning that suits them - anywhere, anytime. We’re also delighted that all the main agencies are working together to make this happen. It’s a new way of engaging people with the language.”
The course is suitable for schools and can be used by teachers with or without Gaelic who would like to introduce Gaelic into their classrooms; parents of children attending Gaelic Medium Education who would like to learn some Gaelic to help their children, and anyone else who has an interest or would like to discover more.
Cathy MacDonald said: “This is a great new way to encourage people to enjoy the Gaelic language which is so central to Highland and indeed Scottish culture. It’s also encouraging to see so many different partners involved.”
Further information: www.airsplaoid.co.uk
Canan : Rachel Alcorn, Marketing Manager, Cànan. 01471 888 505 or 0773 237 9359
Press : Jim Wilkie 0775 360 6886
Note for Editors:
Air Splaoid! was conceived and developed by Cànan, an award-winning multiple media company based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic language college, in Sleat, Isle of Skye.
Numbers of Gaelic learners have increased with the help of new technologies. People can now access Gaelic learning materials online for free.
Cànan is grateful for the multi-agency support and backing this project has received. At 1st January 2007, partners are: Highland 2007, Gaelic Media Service, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Learning and Teaching Scotland, learndirect scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, BBC Alba, Highland Council, LEADER+, UHI Millennium Institute and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
Highland 2007, the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture, aims to promote the Highlands as a great place to live and to visit through showcasing the unique and special nature of Highland culture past, present and future. The project is a partnership between three principal funding agencies: The Highland Council, the Scottish Executive, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The year long celebration of Highland culture in 2007 will incorporate an exciting range of major and community events, as well as capital projects and ‘The Highland Promise’ for young people. See www.highland2007.com for full details. Highland 2007 is the first themed year planned by the Scottish Executive to promote Scotland as a great place to live and to visit.
PHOTOCALL
Cathy MacDonald and Dwelly will be available for photographs with pupils from the Glasgow Gaelic School.
11am
WEDNESDAY, January 24, 2007
Glasgow Gaelic School. 44 Ashley Street, G3. (former Woodside Academy, off Argyle St).
PRESS RECEPTION
Following the PHOTOCALL, journalists are invited to attend a buffet RECEPTION at the
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday, January 24 at 12 noon
Buchanan Suite
Partners in Air Splaoid! will be pleased to discuss the project informally.
Rachel Alcorn, Marketing Manager, Cànan. 01471 888 505 or 0773 237 9359