Knowing what you know now

[Larissa]

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.

[GunChleoc]

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.

[Tha_Mi_Sgìth]

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.

[Larissa]

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

[~Sìle~]

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.