I've been thinking lately of tools to help me and other learners put gaelic into everyday use. I wanted something that would teach me words with practical value that I could use on a reliably regular basis even if I had no one else to talk to.
The idea I had was to do a "simulation" of a grocery store or market, with progressive difficulty, that would allow users to quickly learn and memorize the names of common food and dry-good items. The "simulator" would have you looking at a produce cart, for example; the first level you would have a list, with pictures of each item. The item would be read to you (i.e. Feumaidh sinn dha buntàta) and you'd have to select it from the baskets. The next round your random list would lack pictures for hints. The third time the list goes away and you have to simply listen.
I think the method is sound and its got potential to cover a lot of vocabulary in an easy to grasp manner. To give added value the user would also be able to generate their own shopping lists and print them or save them to a phone.
Way back when I could do this by myself, I probably still can but it'd take me dogs years and would get very little support later. What I'd like to do is see if there is find people interested in helping and put together a team to produce these tools. I'd need web and mobile developers and a graphic artist with style consistency and preferably vector skills, also someone with curriculum experience and a good knowledge of gaelic grocery terms would be a great help.. I don't know if this will get any money, that isn't the point to me, I want to advance the language. However if we were to produce a mobile version whatever profits would be split equally.
I think it's a good idea and such a team could probably produce many more games and tools, I don't want to see it die on the vine but like I said I can't do 100% of this by myself so I thought I'd ask.
If anyone is interested you can email me if you'd like wilsonsofoxford[aig]gmail.com
