Gaelic tutors were learning Welsh recently at Lews Castle College as part of their training for Ùlpan, an intensive Gaelic language training course.  The tutors were given a taster of Welsh by this method to make them aware of the system from the students'perspective.

Ùlpan uses a methodology developed over the last 40 years in Wales for the teaching of Welsh to adults.  There it is known as Wlpan.

The Welsh system is itself an adaptation of a method originally developed in Israel.

5 of the Gaelic team at Lews Castle College and 3 others are receiving the training provided by Deiseal Earranta - Dàibhidh Grannd from Glasgow and Guto Rhys from Wales.

They are currently teaching Gaelic to people who have indicated their wish to  participate, including scholars from the Nicolson  Institute.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Convener, Alex MacDonald, said:

"The Ulpan training course is very important for Gaelic in the Western Isles as it will train people in this proven way of acquiring a language who in turn will be able to organise courses to provide opportunities for those who want to learn Gaelic. This is an important step in the revitalization of Gaelic in the islands and is one of the targets embedded of the Council's Gaelic Language Plan."

Annie MacSween, Head of Gaelic at the College said:

"One of the key priorities of the National Plan for Gaelic and the Western Isles Gaelic Language Plan is to increase the number of Gaelic speakers.  The college, working in partnership, initially with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar hopes to deliver Ùlpan courses in flexible format throughout the islands to help to achieve this aim."