2004 Immersion Weekend
Fàilte gu Toronto! [Welcome to Toronto] |
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An Comunn Gaidhealach - America (ACGA) presents the 8th Annual Scottish Gaelic Immersion Weekend, held for the first time in Canada, from June 11 - June 14, 2004. The University of St. Michael's College and the Celtic Studies Program, University of Toronto, will co-host this long weekend, featuring some of the best Scottish Gaelic instructors from Scotland, Cape Breton and the United States. The immersion weekend is a unique opportunity for learners of Scottish Gaelic to come together with more advanced and native speakers in both a classroom setting and informal gatherings. Whether you are a new learner with no experience or an advanced speaker, the immersion weekend will provide opportunities to speak Gaelic in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Extracurricular activities will include an informal welcoming event of "craic 's ceòl" (chat and music), a cèilidh Saturday evening, and a visit to a local pub. St. Michael's College, University of Toronto is located in the heart of downtown Toronto in a park-like setting that is close to museums, shopping, restaurants and art galleries all easily accessible by public transportation. For the registration form click here (requires Adobe Acrobat) For more information or to be placed on the mailing list please email Janice at ruadh@idirect.com. For more information visit http://www.geocities.com/torontogaelic. ** Please note that no one under the age of 18
will be allowed to stay overnight at any ACGA event unless
acompanied by a parent or guardian. Minors accompanied by
guardians must submit a release signed by both parent and
guardian. The release form can be obtained by emailing
ruadh@idirect.com. |
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"I had never before taken a class nor heard
the language used conversationally [but the Immersion Weekend
classes] never felt overwhelming... (I knew it was a worthwhile
weekend when I woke up Sunday morning hearing a bird singing in
gaelic: ceithir, ceithir!!)" |
Cò bhitheas a' teagasg? [Who will be teaching?] |
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Jeff (Goiridh) MacDonald is a native of Kingsville, Cape Breton. Local Cape Breton tradition bearers, like his grandfather John Alex MacEachern, had a profound influence on Jeff and it is from them that he learned much of his stories, history and songs. Jeff earned his BA in Celtic Studies from Saint Francis Xavier University and a degree in Gaelic Broadcasting from Sabhal Mór Ostaig. He is currently working on his MA in Folklore from Memorial University in Newfoundland. He is an accomplished Gaelic singer and storyteller. Jeff has appeared on CDs by Mary Jane Lamond and Ashley MacIsaac. Ailig Dòmhnallach (Alec MacDonald), was born and raised on the Isle of Skye. He is a native Gaelic speaker who lives in Staffin, a part of Skye where Gaelic is still the main language of the people. Alec has a very busy career as crofter, Gaelic teacher, and radio announcer. In addition to working on his croft, he manages to act as a trainer for primary school teachers in Gaelic (teachers who are teaching the English medium classes but who are to give those same kids a taste of the Gaelic language. He also lectures part time at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, teaching both the full time immersion course and also the short courses during the summer months. If that were not enough to keep someone busy, Alec can also be heard presenting the Friday night Gaelic request programme Na Dùrachdan on a fortnightly basis. Alec says that he has never been out of Scotland before, so his trip to Toronto will surely be a memorable one – for him as well as for us. Dr. Ken Nilsen is the Chair of the Celtic Department at St. Francis Xavier University. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating Brooklyn College, he obtained an MA and then a PhD in Celtic Studies from Harvard University. Ken came to St. FX in 1984 and has been the Chair of the Celtic Department since 1986. He is an expert in Nova Scotia Scottish Gaelic, but he also spends his summers at Harvard teaching Irish Gaelic. Ken is a natural linguist. In addition to speaking Scottish and Irish Gaelic, he is fluent in Welsh, Breton, Norwegian and French. Effie Rankin is a native Gaelic speaker from North Uist. She formally studied Gaelic as well as German and Latin at the Inverness Royal Academy before enrolling in Glasgow University and earning a degree in Celtic Studies. Since 1972, she has taught Gaelic in the Inverness County Cape Breton public schools, for the Gaelic College and St. Francis Xavier University and has served as ACGA Mod Adjudicator Catherine Ann MacPhee is a native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Barra. She has been involved with the Scottish Gaelic repertory theatre Fir Chlis, Scottish television and radio and the Edinburgh theatre company 7.84. She has recorded 3 albums in Scottish Gaelic and a fourth one will be released soon. Cathy Ann, her husband and 2 children immigrated to Ottawa in 2001. Cathy Ann will conduct a Gaelic song workshop on Saturday June 12 at the 2004 immersion. *Instructors subject to change. |
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"The [Immersion] Weekend worked really well
for me. I found myself automatically trying to translate stray
thoughts into Gaelic for days!" |
Cìsean [Fees] |
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The immersion weekend will begin on Friday afternoon, June 11,
2004 and continue through the afternoon of Monday June 14, 2004.
Fees for the weekend include classes, workshops, special
activities, coffee breaks, learning materials, room and board.
Early registration is encouraged to avoid the late fee ($25 after
April 30, 2004). |
Cuid Oidche [Room and Meals] |
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Room (dormitory style) and meals (cafeteria style) will be
available at St. Michael's College, University of Toronto. You
register for room and meals with your ACGA weekend registration.
The full weekend package includes lodging for Friday, Saturday and
Sunday night, dinner Friday night, 3 meals on Saturday and Sunday,
and breakfast and lunch on Monday. The two day package includes
lodging for Friday and Saturday night and 6 meals. |
Siubhal [Travel] |
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For a variety of travel options and information about the Toronto area check out the Travel page. For those of you traveling from the United States here are some
useful sites: |
Clàr-Ùine [Schedule] |
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Registration on Friday afternoon will take place from 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm in the Brennan Hall Foyer, 81 St. Mary Street. Dinner will be available for those who arrive before 7 pm. A welcome reception/informal ceilidh will follow from 8 pm to 2 am. Classes and workshops are scheduled all day Saturday, Sunday afternoon and all day Monday. Sunday morning features a Gaelic church service followed by the Annual General Meeting. All are encouraged to attend the AGM to learn more about the ACGA and the many volunteer and learning opportunities available. |
