Member Scholarships
2008 ACGA MEMBER SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships
Each year ACGA awards Gaelic study scholarships to three members. The competition is structured so as to give everyone a chance to compete, with a category for those who’ve just begun to learn Gaelic, one for those at an intermediate stage of learning, and one for the more advanced learners. Although not everyone who competes wins a scholarship, everyone who competes can benefit from the experience.
The competition consists of various translation exercises, written and aural/oral, and following the competition, your submissions will be returned to you with comments and suggestions from the adjudicator, an experienced Gaelic teacher. Full details are below.
COMPETITION LEVELS
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
AWARDS
Scholarships will be awarded in the following amounts:
Beginner: $300
Intermediate: $500
Advanced: $1000
Beginner and Intermediate awards must be used for ACGA sponsored events of the winners’ choice, such as the 2008 combined Grandfather Mountain Gaelic Song and Language Week/Immersion Weekend or the 2008 U.S. National Mòd. The advanced award may be used for a combination of ACGA sponsored events or for another approved Gaelic short course, distance learning course or tutor.
Event fees will be paid directly to event organizers, not to the award winners. Any money left after fees are paid will be used to reimburse travel expenses of the award winner, based on receipts submitted to the ACGA scholarship committee.
For more information on Gaelic learning events look under both "events" and "links" on this web site.
ELIGIBILITY
ACGA members in good standing (i.e., dues paid) as of November 1, 2007. Members of the Board of Directors of ACGA and Education Committee members are not eligible for these scholarships.
DEADLINES
All those wishing to compete must submit a letter of intent by January 25, 2008. (See details below)
On February 25, 2008, you can download your competition materials from the ACGA website. If you prefer, we will send your materials to you through the regular post.
Completed materials must be returned postmarked by April 4, 2008, or e-mailed by that date, to Cam MacRae. (See address below)
Awards will be announced on or about May 25, 2008.
COMPETITION MATERIALS
Beginner level
competition materials will consist of two short written passages - one to be translated from English to Gaelic and one from Gaelic to English. In addition selected written materials will be read by the competitor and recorded (onto a cassette tape or as an mp3 file) and returned to the committee with the written materials by the indicated deadline.
Intermediate
level materials will consist of two written passages - one to be translated from English to Gaelic and one from Gaelic to English. Competitors will also receive an mp3 file, audio CD, or cassette containing a reading in Gaelic to be translated into English in writing. In addition, selected written materials will be read by the competitor and recorded (onto a cassette tape or as an mp3 file) and returned to the committee with the written materials by the indicated deadline.
Advanced
level materials will consist of two written passages - one to be translated from English to Gaelic and one from Gaelic to English. Competitors will also receive an mp3 file, audio CD, or cassette containing a reading in Gaelic to be translated into English in writing. In addition, selected written materials will be read by the competitor and recorded (onto a cassette tape or as an mp3) and returned to the committee with the written materials by the indicated deadline.
LETTER OF INTENT
Letters of Intent must be postmarked by January 25, 2008. These should be sent to:
Cam MacRae
2113 West White Street, Apt. 224
Champaign, IL 61821
USA
or emailed to:
cam.macrae@insightbb.com.
The letter of intent (in English) should include the following:
1. Your contact information: name, address, telephone number, e-mail address
2. The scholarship for which you intend to apply:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
3. Whether you wish to receive competition materials through the mail or as downloaded files.
4. Your agreement to provide a photograph of yourself and biographical information for publication in Naidheachd if you are one of the scholarship winners.
5. A narrative addressing the following:
• Your motivation to learn Gaelic
• Your history of learning Gaelic; classes you’ve attended; books and tapes you have used and progress therein; aids from the internet, computer software, etc.
• Any volunteer work you have done for ACGA or other Gaelic organizations or initiatives.
• How you intend to put your knowledge of Gaelic to use in the future.
6. Intermediate and Advanced levels only
Your preference of audio cassette, CD, or mp3 files containing the oral comprehension component of the competition.
7. Advanced level only
If you wish to receive special consideration for your teaching activities, please tell us about them, such as: how long you have been teaching, the frequency and length of your classes, how many levels you are teaching, the materials that you use, any instructional innovations that you have come up with, the number of students you have and how you locate potential students. What experiences in teaching Gaelic have you found to be encouraging or discouraging? Do you promote ACGA to your students? How?
If you have any questions or just need encouragement to enter the competition, you can e-mail me at cam.macrae@insightbb.com.
In the meantime, èirich air! Have at it!
Cam MacRae
Scholarship Committee
An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach
