Young Gaelic speakers will have the opportunity to learn introductory drama skills at home, thanks to a new series of online videos produced by Gaelic arts organisation, Fèisean nan Gàidheal.
The first videos in a new series, Sgilean Dràma (Drama Skills), have been published and more will appear regularly in the coming weeks in an effort to support pupils’ learning at home while schools remain closed due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The videos, which will also include a series of active games entitled Àm-cluiche (Play Time), are being produced in the home of Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Drama Officer Angus Macleod and can be found on Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s online channel at www.youtube.com/feistv.
Angus said: “Some of the featured drama exercises are based on those I would normally deliver as part of Gaelic language drama workshops for primary school groups. They have been adapted to fit into the current learning environment. The series is designed to support and encourage the use of Gaelic at home, particularly in households where Gaelic isn’t in daily use.”
Drama work is a key feature of Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s arts and education service, Fèisgoil, producing and touring a number of original Gaelic language theatre-in-education plays for schools and providing drama skills tuition. Highlights include a national tour of a Gaelic language pantomime and the Gaelic Drama Summer School, Sgoil Shamhraidh Dràma, which has been cancelled this year due to COVID-19.
Sgilean Dràma (Drama Skills) and Àm-cluiche (Play time) are examples of a variety of online resources provided by Fèisean nan Gàidheal as part of Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s #cleachdiaigantaigh (use it at home) initiative which offers online interactive and other resources to support children in Gaelic medium education while they stay safe at home. Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s work is also supported by Creative Scotland, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government.
