Fòram na Gàidhlig

Knowing what you do now what would be your preferred route to learning Gaelic. What worked, what didn't and what would you have done differently.

I'm glad that I concentrated on pronunciation a lot when I first started. Once my tongue was well-trained, that was one less thing for my brain to worry about when forming sentences.

What also worked for me was to look at available resources and then mix & match whatever was working best for me or was the most fun at the time. Fun is important! So is lots of practice.

Actual paid courses: Ùlpan, An Cùrsa Inntrigidh (distance learning from SMO), An Cùrsa Adhartais (distance learning from SMO). No amount of free evening classes from well-meaning tutors has helped me more than these paid courses. Unfortunately I don't think Ùlpan is running anymore.

Grammar; the case system (vocative, nominative, dative, genitive). Working out the system of how cases work was one of the keys to unlock the language (especially the genitive); inversion---another essential and distinctive feature of the language; letting go of using the progressive all the time---many learners get stuck on the progressive since it's introduced first.

Listening on BBC Rèidio nan Gàidheal (available online): Beag air Bheag, An Litir Bheag agus Litir do Luchd-Ionnsachaidh

Speaking/Writing: You must produce language in order to learn it. Find a language buddy.

The courses are still running but I just can't afford them at the moment, Something that is definitely on my to do list

I think I would have opted for immersion; however it was never available near to me. I am still doing structured courses though, as I am not disciplined enough to learn on my own.