Notes for Parents and Teachers

Introduction to Fàilte gu Fuaimean

Gàidhlig

The storylines, characters and interactive activities in Fàilte gu Fuaimean are designed to provide challenge and enjoyment while capturing the imagination of learners. Fàilte gu Fuaimean encourages learners to practice their reading skills, and helps them to become successful learners.

Fàilte gu Fuaimean is complementary to the Facal agus Fuaim phonics pack which is used in Gaelic medium education to introduce children to reading. In Facal agus Fuaim, children first learn the individual sounds and letters of Gaelic and how they are put together to form common words: for example, that the letters c and ù stand for sounds which, together, make cù (dog). Once they have learned the main sounds and letters, children begin reading, starting with simple texts such as those found in Facal agus Fuaim.

Fàilte gu Fuaimean is built around the three categories of words on which Facal agus Fuaim is based. For example, the first set of stories, poems and activities uses the 'broad' Gaelic sounds, a, à, o, ò, u and ù, and the letters on either side of them: for example, fada.

The second set covers the 'slender' sounds, e, è, i and ì, and the letters on either side of them. These are more complicated as the 'slender' letters not only represent particular sounds such as dè and mi, but they can also show that the consonant next to them has a 'slender' sound, for example, seo and càise.

The third set of stories and poems covers 'blends'. These are letters which join together to make another sound, for example, brot, glas, iasg. Lists of the words in each set are given below.

In Facal agus Fuaim, the combinations bh, ch, dh, gh, mh, ph, sh and th are treated as single letters, as are ao, ea, eu, ia, ìo and ua.

Some 'double' vowels can stand for different sounds: e.g. fear, geal; ceum, feur; pìos, sìos. The letter ò can also stand for two sounds: e.g. còta, mòr.

Building on Fàilte gu Fuaimean

Fàilte gu Fuaimean provides a creative and flexible resource which encourages phonological awareness while capturing the imagination of learners.

The imaginative stories within this site take the learners on a journey along with its three characters, Cù Caol, Cat Cadalach and Luchag Luath.

The use of rhyme and rhyming couplets provides fun and enjoyment. With full audio and visual support, they can be used to enhance learners' awareness of Gaelic sounds.

The contents of the site are as follows:

If they are having difficulty, learners may be supported with the words in the Fàilte gu Fuaimean stories and poems, but they should be encouraged to do as much as they can themselves as this will give them more satisfaction and encourage them to become confident individuals.

Children's awareness of sounds and letters - their phonics skills - can be developed through relevant, fun activities using the texts. For example:

• In the context of a story or poem, select a word, 'say' the sounds that make it up (close together and without 'sounding' them heavily) and ask the child to try to 'hear' the word – e.g., b ... a ... g ... a = baga
• Say the word out loud slowly and distinctly and ask the child to listen out for, and to say, the individual sounds – e.g. baga = b ... a ... g ... a
• Turn these activities into a game or competition
• Make up 'stories' and 'poems' using some of the words listed under the broad sounds, slender sounds and sound blends categories.
• Collect words that contain the same sounds: e.g. cat, cù and cù, bùth.
• Put words together to form phrases, e.g. brògan brèagha, òrd a' bualadh òrdag ...
• Distribute cards with single letters on them and encourage learners to make a Gaelic word, or words, from them.
• Distribute cards with syllables or 'double' letters on them and encourage learners to make Gaelic words from them, e.g. dor- and –as = doras; cr ... ao ... and bh = craobh

The words in Fàilte gu Fuaimean

Broad sounds

Slender sounds

Sound blends

There are two ways to view the site:

1. Flash Version - Enhanced version requires the Flash Plug-in and utilises animation and sound.
2. HTML Version - The basic version uses static images and is suitable for older computers or slow connection speeds. This version could also be used for revision as the pace can be controlled by the user.

Technical issues

To enable you to see the maximum area of content on the screen you may wish to turn off some of your toolbars. If you are using Internet Explorer these can be found by accessing the 'View' menu and selecting the 'Toolbars' or the 'Explorer Bar' option.

You will require an up to date Flash player to view the interactive and animated elements of this site. Most new computers already have this software. However, if you are working on an older computer then you may need to update your Flash player. This can be done simply, safely and freely from the following link:

www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml

If you are unable to download an up to date Flash player then don't worry. The HTML version of this site still covers all the learning. In using the HTML version you are missing out on animations and other interactive elements but children can still have a rich and rewarding experience.

Production Team

This website was co-funded by the Gaelic Media Service and BBC Alba.