BT Gaelic Debate Project gets European recognition

28 August 2003

A Gaelic project is among this year's winners of the European Award for Languages. The National Gaelic Debate for secondary school pupils will receive the award from Sir Trevor McDonald at a special event in the Italian Embassy in London on 26th September, the European Day of Languages.

The Gaelic debate is one of 15 UK projects to win the European award for innovation and effectiveness in languages this year. The award-winners include primary and secondary schools, universities and other educational institutions.

The Gaelic debate is administered by William MacDonald and Donald Ferguson of the Lionacleit Education Centre in Benbecula. The major sponsor is BT Scotland, with support from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, Comunn na Gaidhlig and BBC Scotland. The final round of the debate is broadcast live by Radio nan Gaidheal.

The debate project was started in 1999 and has attracted additional entries in each successive year. In 2002, 16 teams from 15 schools took part. Debate organiser William MacDonald said: "The project has been a great success. To receive this prestigious award is an additional accolade. We are grateful to the sponsors who have made the project possible, to the pupils who have participated, and to the Gaelic teachers who have encouraged and coached them."

The European Award for Languages is a Europe-wide initiative supported by the European Commission and organised in the UK by CILT, the national centre for languages. CILT seeks to promote a greater national capability in languages, supporting and developing multilingualism and intercultural competence in all sectors of society. Sir Trevor McDonald acts as its patron.

For further information:
William MacDonald
Tel: 01870 602043

Tha iomairt Ghàidhlig a-measg nam feadhainn a fhuair Duais Eòrpach nan Cànan am bliadhna. Gheibh an Deasbad Nàiseanta Gàidhlig son clann a àrd-sgoiltean an duais o Shir Trevor MacDhòmhnaill aig cuirm shònraichte ann an Ambasaid na h-Eadailt an Lunnainn air an 26mh den t-Sultuin, Latha Eòrpach nan Cànan.

Tha an deasbad Gàidhlig air aon de chòig pròiseictean deug as an Rioghachd Aonaichte a gheibh an duais Eòrpach son èifeachd is ùr-ghnàthachadh ann an cànain. A-measg na choisneas an duais tha bun-sgoiltean is àrd-sgoiltean, oilthaighean is ionadan foghlaim eile.

Tha an deasbad Gàidhlig air a rianachadh le Uilleam Dòmhnallach agus Dòmhnall Fearghastan a Aonad-Foghlaim Lionacleit am Beinn na Fadhla. Tha e fo urras BT Alba, le taice bho Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comataidh Craolaidh Gàidhlig, Comunn na Gàidhlig agus BBC Alba. Tha cuairt dheireannach na farpais air a craoladh beò air Radio nan Gàidheal.

Chaidh an deasbad a cur air chois ann a 1999 agus tha i air barrachd fharpaisich a thàladh gach bliadhna mar a thàinig. Ann a 2002 bha 16 buidhnean a 15 sgoiltean a' gabhail pàirt. Thuirt stiùiriche an deasbaid, Uilleam Dòmhnallach: "Tha an iomairt air a bhith anabarrach soirbheachail. Tha an duais chliùiteach seo na sochair as ùr. Tha sinn taingeil do luchd-taice an deasbaid, na sgoilearan a ghabh pàirt, agus an luchd-teagaisg a bhrosnaich 'sa chuidich iad."

Tha Duais Eòrpach nan Cànan a' buntainn don Roinn Eòrpa gu lèir, a' faighinn taice bho Choimisean na Roinn Eòrpa, agus air a riaghladh anns an RA le CILT, ionad nàiseanta nan cànan. Tha CILT a' strì ri adhartas a thoirt air comasan cànain nas fhearr gu nàiseanta, a' cur taice ri leasachadh ioma-chànanas agus comas eadar-chultarach anns gach roinn den t-sluagh. Se Sir Trevor MacDhòmhnaill am priomh neach-taice.

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh:
Uilleam Domhnallach
Fòn: 01870 602043

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk