As the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), we strove to secure a sustainable future for Gaelic in a multilingual Scotland.

What better time than World Gaelic Week/ Seachdain na Gàidhlig to reaffirm that, as Qualifications Scotland, we remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting Gaelic as a living and vibrant part of Scotland’s education and cultural landscape.

One of the key ways we’re demonstrating this is through our ongoing efforts to expand Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in Scotland’s secondary schools. We’re proud that Gaelic learners across the country have embraced the opportunity to study the language at school, and that they are now helping to sustain the language in their chosen careers.

Qualification Scotland’s commitment to Gaelic Medium Education (GME)

As we celebrate Seachdain na Gàidhlig, we’re proud to highlight our involvement in the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) for Literacy & Gàidhlig – an ongoing, collaborative review process established to ensure that the school curriculum in Scotland remains modern, relevant, and effectively delivered.

The CIC is taking an evidence-based approach to curriculum improvement, drawing on research, inspection findings, and crucially, the voices of children and young people.

We’re particularly enthusiastic about the CIC’s focus on high-quality language development coupled with cultural awareness – an approach that recognises Gaelic as both a living language and a vibrant culture.

This work matters. It’s about creating better opportunities for our young people and supporting the future of our Gaelic language. Together, we can ensure that curriculum design and assessment support everyone involved in Gaelic education, from early years through to qualifications.

Your stories: creating opportunities through qualifications

Our commitment to Gaelic is not just at a strategy level – it has real impact for individual learners and today felt like the best time to celebrate your stories.

From beginners to fluent speakers, learners in Scotland’s secondary schools are able to pursue the language through our Gaelic (Learners) qualifications  and our Gàidhlig qualifications.

Koren’s story

At school, Koren achieved a National 5 Eachdraidh (History) and a Higher and Advanced Higher in Gàidhlig.

She now works as a Youth Development Officer for Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG), which sees her provide exciting and engaging activities for young people in schools, all through the medium of Gaelic.

Koren said: “Gaelic is at the heart of who I am. It carries our history, culture, and shared experiences – all things you can truly understand when you have the language.”

Fionnlagh’s story

Fionnlagh studied Advanced Higher in Gàidhlig at school, which led to him achieving a Degree in Gàidhlig from Glasgow University.

Based in Stornoway, he’s now employed as a Gaelic Information and Evaluation Officer with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES).

Fionnlagh is passionate about the importance of Gaelic: “It’s our own language, which has come down to us from our ancestors to this day. It is our duty now to bring this precious language, heritage and culture to life in our own generation, and to pass it on to every generation that comes after us.”

Maia’s story

Maia completed Higher Gàidhlig at school and is currently working towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ). She undertook the practical element of the qualification during her time as a Gaelic Language Acquisition Practitioner, introducing Gaelic to primary school pupils across the Isle of Lewis.

She continues to be an ambassador for the language in her current role as Development Officer at Fèisean nan Gàidheal, an organisation which promotes the development of community-based Gaelic arts tuition festivals throughout Scotland.

Maia is in no doubt about the advantages of learning Gaelic: “It gives you a strong connection to your own culture, and practical skills that open up work opportunities.”

It’s clear these qualifications are leading to exciting careers, which are allowing people share their love of the language with others. A special thank you to all our learners for sharing their experiences.

Find out more

If you’re inspired by these stories, then learn more about all our Gaelic qualifications, as well as our current Gaelic Language Plan.

Happy World Gaelic Week!

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Airson a’ chiad Sheachdain na Gàidhlig againn bho chaidh Teisteanasan Alba a stèidheachadh, tha ar Co-òrdanaiche Theisteanasan Gàidhlig, Anna Mhoireach, a’ roinn mar a tha sinn ag ùrachadh ar dealais do bhrosnachadh na Gàidhlig.

Mar Ùghdarras Theisteanas na h-Alba (SQA), rinn sinn ar dìcheall dèanamh cinnteach gum biodh àm ri teachd seasmhach aig a’ Ghàidhlig ann an Alba ioma-chànanach.

Dè an t-àm a b’ fheàrr na Seachdain na Gàidhlig gus a dhaingneachadh, mar Theisteanasan Alba, gu bheil sinn fhathast dìleas do bhrosnachadh na Gàidhlig mar phàirt bheòthail de chruth-tìre foghlaim agus cultar na h-Alba.

Is e aon de na prìomh dhòighean anns am bi sinn a’ sealltainn seo tro ar n-oidhirpean leantainneach gus Foghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig (GME) a leudachadh ann an àrd-sgoiltean na h-Alba. Tha sinn moiteil gu bheil luchd-ionnsachaidh Gàidhlig air feadh na dùthcha air gabhail ris a’ chothrom an cànan ionnsachadh san sgoil, agus gu bheil iad a-nis a’ cur ri seasmhachd na Gàidhlig nan dreuchdan fhèin.

Dealas Theisteanasan Alba do Fhoghlam tro Mheadhan na Gàidhlig (GME)

Le a bhith a’ comharrachadh Seachdain na Gàidhlig, tha sinn toilichte ar com-pàirteachadh anns a’ Chearcall Leasachaidh Churraicealaim (CIC) airson Litearrachd agus Gàidhlig a shoilleireachadh – pròiseas ath-bhreithneachaidh co-obrachail, leantainneach a chaidh a stèidheachadh gus dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil curraicealam sgoiltean na h-Alba ùr-nodha, buntainneach agus air a lìbhrigeadh gu h-èifeachdach.

Tha an CIC a’ cleachdadh dòigh-obrach stèidhichte air fianais a thaobh leasachadh a’ churraicealaim, a’ tarraing air rannsachadh, toraidhean sgrùdaidh agus – gu sònraichte – guthan chloinne is dhaoine òga.

Tha sinn gu sònraichte dealasach mun fhòcas a th’ aig an CIC air leasachadh cànain aig ìre àrd còmhla ri mothachadh cultarach – dòigh-obrach a tha ag aithneachadh na Gàidhlig mar chànan beò agus mar chultar beòthail.

Tha an obair seo cudromach, oir tha e mu dheidhinn cothroman nas fheàrr a chruthachadh do ar n-òigridh agus taic a chur ri àm ri teachd na Gàidhlig. Còmhla, ’s urrainn dhuinn dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil dealbhadh a’ churraicealaim agus measadh a’ toirt taic do gach neach a tha an sàs ann am foghlam Gàidhlig, bho na tràth-bhliadhnaichean gu teisteanasan.

Na sgeulachdan agaibh: a’ cruthachadh chothroman tro theisteanasan

Chan eil ar dealas don Ghàidhlig dìreach aig ìre ro-innleachd – tha buaidh fhìor aige air luchd-ionnsachaidh fa leth, agus tha seo na dheagh àm gus na sgeulachdan agaibh innse.

Bho luchd-ionnsachaidh gu luchd-labhairt fileanta, tha cothrom aig sgoilearan ann an àrd-sgoiltean na h-Alba a’ Ghàidhlig a leantainn tro ar teisteanasan Gaelic (Luchd-ionnsachaidh) agus ar teisteanasan Gàidhlig.

Sgeul Koren

Anns an sgoil, rinn Koren Eachdraidh Nàiseanta 5 agus Gàidhlig Àrd-ìre agus Àrd-ìre Adhartach.

Tha i a-nis ag obair mar Oifigear Leasachaidh Òigridh le Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG), far a bheil i a’ cur air dòigh gnìomhan brosnachail is tarraingeach do dhaoine òga ann an sgoiltean, uile tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig.

Thuirt Koren: “Tha Gàidhlig aig fìor chridhe mo dhòigh beatha. Tha i a’ giùlan ar n-eachdraidh, ar cultar agus eòlasan– rudan as urrainn dhut fìor thuigsinn nuair a tha a’ chànan agad.”

Sgeul Fhionnlaigh

Rinn Fionnlagh Àrd-ìre Adhartach ann an Gàidhlig san sgoil, agus lean sin gu Ceum ann an Gàidhlig bho Oilthigh Ghlaschu.

Stèidhichte ann an Steòrnabhagh, tha e a-nis ag obair mar Oifigear Measaidh is Fiosrachaidh air Sgioba na Gàidhlig, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES).

Tha Fionnlagh dìoghrasach mu chudrom na Gàidhlig: “’S i a’ Ghàidhlig ar cànan fhèin, a thàinig a-nuas dhuinn bho ar sinnsrean chun an latha an-diugh. Tha e mar fhiachaibh oirnne a-nis an cànan, an dualchas agus an cultar prìseil seo a thoirt beò sa ghinealach againn fhèin, agus a thoirt air adhart dhan a h-uile ginealach a thig às ar dèidh.”

Sgeul Mhaia

Rinn Maia Àrd-ìre ann an Gàidhlig san sgoil agus tha i an-dràsta ag obair gus Teisteanas Dreuchdail Albannach (SVQ) fhaighinn. Rinn i an eileamaid phractaigeach den teisteanais rè a h-ùine mar Neach-cleachdaidh Togail Gàidhlig, a’ toirt sgilean Gàidhlig do sgoilearan bun-sgoile air feadh Eilean Leòdhais.

Tha i a’ leantainn oirre mar thosgaire don chànan na dreuchd làithreach mar Oifigear Leasachaidh aig Fèisean nan Gàidheal, buidheann a tha a’ brosnachadh leasachadh fhèisean oideachaidh ealain Ghàidhlig stèidhichte sa choimhearsnachd air feadh na h-Alba.

Chan eil teagamh sam bith aig Maia mu bhuannachdan ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig:
“Tha Gàidhlig a’ toirt dhut ceangal làidir ri do chultar fhèin, agus sgilean practaigeach a dh’fhosglas cothroman obrach dhut.”

Tha e soilleir gu bheil na teisteanasan seo a’ leantainn gu dreuchdan brosnachail, a’ leigeil le daoine an dàimh air a’ chànan a cho-roinn ri càch. Taing shònraichte dhan a h-uile neach-ionnsachaidh a thug dhuinn an cuid sgeulachdan.

Faigh a-mach barrachd

Ma tha na sgeulachdan seo gad bhrosnachadh, faigh a-mach barrachd mu na teisteanasan Gàidhlig againn, agus mu ar Plana Gàidhlig.

Deagh Sheachdain na Gàidhlig!