Classes and Distance Learning

United States Canada Private Long-Distance Online Self-Study Online Study Groups Long-Distance Short/Summer Courses

How to Use This Information

There are many paths to proficiency in Scottish Gaelic. The path that works best for you may be entirely different from what works for others. Most Gaelic learners in North America started by buying a book (or better, a book with tapes; see our Learning Materials page) and trying to figure things out on their own. A few rare souls have even achieved a fair degree of proficiency this way, but most of us eventually conclude that we need help in the form of classes, courses, or private lessons. This page provides you with information about a variety of such resources that you might consider.

Most learners would be well advised to exhaust their local resources first. There’s nothing quite as good as face-to-face instruction and practice, and if you’re lucky enough to live where such opportunities exist, you should consider them. See our local listings for the United States and for Canada.

If you don’t find local classes, or you’re ready to venture beyond them, there are several additional sorts of educational opportunities available to you. These include private long-distance instruction, long-distance courses (on-line or correspondence), on-line study groups, and short and summer courses. Depending on your learning style, geographic location, budget, and interests, one or more of these might be a good choice for you. And, of course, if you become really serious, you might consider a full-time college program in Gaelic or in Celtic Studies.

Please email any updates, corrections, or additions to the Webmaster.

Local Classes, Study Groups, etc. (United States)

Arizona

Colorado

  • Denver: Study Group: Conversation group remains on pandemic hold but will resume when possible at Stella’s Coffeehouse in South Denver. Contact Reese McKay for more information.

Kentucky

  • Louisville: Online Gaelic and song lessons with Adam Dahmer.

Maryland

Missouri

  • St. Louis, Missouri Scottish Gaelic Learning Group: This is an online group of those in the Bi-State area who would like to learn more about Scottish Gaelic and have to opportunity to interact with other speakers. Currently, a virtual meet-up group, as membership grows we’d like to expand the group’s opportunities to meet to include video chat meetings and in-person get-togethers/study opportunities. https://www.facebook.com/groups/STLMOScottishGaelic/

New York

  • New York: New York Caledonian Club. Contact Barbara L. Rice, chair of Scottish Studies. Follow this link for more information.

North Carolina

  • Triangle/Raleigh area: An Phillips leads an online study group that meets Tuesday afternoons, 2:00-4:00 PM. They use the Progressive Gaelic books and workbook by Moray Watson. Except for purchasing these, the study group is free.

Texas

  • Classes Taught via Skype by David Gressett. Two study groups, one at 10: 00 am Central time, Saturday mornings, and another at 6:30 pm Central on Wednesday nights. These are free for ACGA members. Contact David at jdgressett@hotmail.com for more information.

Utah

  • Utah Gaelic Club: Join us for conversation circles and Gaelic arts in the state of Utah, even if you only have a word or two (facal no dhà)! Events are listed on our Facebook page Utah Gaelic Club or James Magruder

Virginia

Washington, DC – Northern Virginia – Maryland

Washington State

  • Seattle: Classes and Other Events: Welcome to our new season of Zero to Gaelic!
    • SnG Z2G sessions this 2020-21 season will be held via video Zoom in 4 levels on the following days & times — a total of fourteen 1.5 hr sessions.
    • A Zoom link will be sent to participants, prior to the session. We do recommend using video for the Zoom sessions. If you connect only via phone link, rather than video Zoom, some content may not be visible.
    • Ceum Suas (Step Up) is for those who have completed Levels 1-3 or feel fairly comfortable with Gàidhlig. Ceum Suas content varies: readings, discussions & review.
    • An EventBrite link for registration will be posted in the next week. Options for a full or half-season pass will be available.
      More details: https://www.slighe.org/gaelic-classes

Classes, Study Groups (Canada)

British Columbia

Ontario

  • Toronto: Comann Luchd-Ionnsaichaidh Thoronto conducts Gaelic classes and private tutoring via Zoom. Visit http://www.torontogaelic.ca.

Québec

  • Montreal: Online Gaelic language and song, mouth music, plus Celtic choir (in person with safety measures). Contact Linda Morrison 514–279–0434 for more information.

Private Long-Distance Instruction

John Stewart Priest

John teaches private lessons and classes in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland or online via Skype, telephone, email, text chat, or voice chat.

To contact John see Language_School_Teachers.com

Muriel Fisher

Muriel Fisher of the Tucson Gaelic Institute teaches via the internet. She uses teaching materials that she has developed herself. Lessons are done at the student’s own pace, using email for written assignments and Skype and iChat for lessons.

Beathag Mhoireasdan

“When I think of the richness of the Gaidhlig language and its music and culture, I feel so lucky. That is why I have always endeavoured to share it with other people. I do that through various media i.e. language tuition, singing, or my particular favourite – drama – which, of course, is a development of the storytelling genre of old.”

mail@beathag.com
http://www.beathag.co.uk
23 Thornwood Drive, Glasgow G11 7TS
tel/fax 0141 576 0456

Caroline Root

Caroline has been teaching Gaelic for 7 years. She has a B.A.(Hon.) in Celtic Studies from St. Francis Xavier University and a teaching degree in Gaelic Medium Education from the University of Strathclyde. She also completed a course in Gaelic language and traditional music on Uist.

She offers online classes, private lessons, and e-mail courses. See her website for more info: http://www.gaidhliggachlatha.com/

“My goal for students is that they enjoy learning Gaelic and develop confidence in communicating in Gaelic.”

Online Self-Study Sites

Beag air Bheag

For Absolute Beginners check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba/foghlam/beag_air_bheag/ which means ‘little by little’, and that is just how the five sections of the site aim to introduce you to the language.

Online Study Groups

More information coming soon!

Long-Distance Courses

Atlantic Gaelic Academy

Atlantic Gaelic Academy offers online group classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts

Beul an Tobair: Two distance courses for beginners and intermediate learners. http://www.gaeliccollege.edu

Sabhal Mor Ostaig

An Cursa Inntrigidh: Distance courses for complete beginners. http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/cursaichean/inntrigidh/index.php

Short Courses & Summer Courses

Atlantic Gaelic Academy

Atlantic Gaelic Academy offers online group classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts

Beul an Tobair: Two distance courses for beginners and intermediate learners. http://www.gaeliccollege.edu

Sabhal Mor Ostaig

An Cursa Inntrigidh: Distance courses for complete beginners. http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/en/cursaichean/inntrigidh/index.php