Get started with Zero to Gaelic
Fàilte! (Welcome!)
Our Zero to Gaelic (Z2G) program offers three levels of progressive instruction, plus our Ceum Suas group for ongoing or more advanced learners. The 2025-26 season will be held via Zoom on (dates & times are listed below)—a total of sixteen 90 minute sessions.
All class times noted are held in Pacific Time.
We are excited to usher in am Foghar with Zero-to-Gaelic & hope you will join us for classes beginning again in October 2025.
Lesson Summaries and Dates
for the 2024-2025 season
(Currently in Progress)
Level 1— Lessons are based on the Syllabus & our reference text Scottish Gaelic in 12 Weeks, covering basics of pronunciation, useful vocabulary, & grammar. Practice conversation, building on the basics. I like to share songs that use sayings from what we have been learning & include videos where available. - Eve Gordon (See syllabus for Level 1 topics)
Saturdays, 1:30 pm-3:00 pm PT:
Oct. 5, 19 • Nov. 16, 23 •Dec. 7, 14 - Winter Break
Jan. 4, 18 •Feb. 8, 22 •Mar. 1, 15, 29 - Spring Break
Apr. 5, 12, 26
Level 2— Immersive conversational gameplay is used here to introduce new language & help participants become fluent in their use before going to the textbook for reinforcement. To see what gameplay looks like, demonstration videos here: https://www.languagehunters.org - Seumas Gagne (See syllabus for Level 2 topics)
Wednesdays, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm PT:
Oct 2, 9, 23, 30 - Fall Gap •Nov 20, 27
Dec 4, 11 - Winter Gap •Jan 8, 15, 22, 29 - Final Gap
March 19, 26 •April 5, 12
Level 3— Speaking Gaelic is encouraged by making use of conversation, games, drills & songs, often using real objects or pictures. Linked with the material in the textbook, with plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions. - Judith Cummings (See syllabus for Level 3 topics)
Sundays, 5:00 pm-6:30 pm PT:
Oct 27 •Nov 3, 10, 17 •Dec 8, 15 - Winter Break
Jan 12, 26 •Feb 2, 9, 23 •March 2, 9, 23, 30
April 6
Ceum Suas— Ceum Suas (Step Up) begins with simple Gaelic conversation, continues with various "grammar roundups" & concludes with reading stories, enjoying poems &/or songs. Ceum Suas is for those who feel ready to move on beyond “Zero to Gaelic” Level 3 or its equivalent. - Rich Hill
Sundays, 11:00 am-12:30 pm PT:
Oct. 6, 20 •Nov. 3, 17 •Dec. 1, 15 - Winter Break
Jan. 5, 19 •Feb. 2, 16 •Mar. 2, 16
Apr. 6, 20 •May 4, 18
*Please note: If a presenter is unable to meet on any given date, an alternate meeting date will be arranged in consultation with that level’s participants.
Required Materials
Textbook: All levels utilize the textbook "Scottish Gaelic in Twelve Weeks" by R. Maolalaigh, J. MacInnes; with audio download/CD. Please confirm with the seller that you will be ordering a book and audio download/CD set. Available via several online sellers:
barnesandnoble.com - https://tinyurl.com/2atzukeb
Amazon.com - https://tinyurl.com/28jd62e6
ABEbooks - https://tinyurl.com/2a83mtq2
& other online sellers.
Content for levels 1, 2, and 3 generally follow the outline on the Syllabus. You can download the Syllabus using the link below.
Cancellation Policy:
If cancelling before midnight (Pacific Time) on the day before the first lesson, registration will be refunded in full.
If cancelling before midnight (Pacific Time) on the day before the 5th lesson, the refund is half the registration amount minus a handling fee of $20.
There is no refund if cancelling after this time.
*To cancel, please send an email to your presenter or to registration@slighe.com by the deadline.
What to expect
A Zoom link will be sent to participants by the presenter approximately 48 hours before the first lesson. We recommend using video for Zoom sessions. If you connect by phone rather than video with Zoom, you may miss valuable lesson content.
*As always, please be sure to check spam or junk folders for emails regarding lessons.
If you are under the age of 18, please contact us by email before registering at registration@slighe.com
If the registration fee is a hardship, please contact us at registration@slighe.com
Questions? Email registration@slighe.com
“ZtG has been great fun, and I made way more progress learning the language than I thought possible. I have also been introduced to a whole community of folks from all over the region who are interested in learning Gàidhlig and more about Scottish culture.”
“Learning a different language is definitely not my best thing but Z2G instructors make it fun and time at the GIDs flies by. I have enjoyed making friends with other people who love Scottish culture and language.”