Gaelic medium education and dyslexia

[Decisionsdecisions43]

Hello, my DD is in gme(p6) and has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia. I’ve not had the full report yet but I feel she’s really far behind her peers academically.
After years of the school assuring me there’s nothing wrong, now they have said- in not so many words- are we sure she should go to a Gaelic secondary. Does anyone have experience with dyslexic children in an Ardsgoil? Has it been the right decision to stick with it?
For many reasons I’ve huge regrets about schooling choice however my DD is very happy at school and has a lovely bunch of friends so that’s the one thing that’s kept me going.
I’m worried about sending her to a different high school than her friends, starting from scratch already being far behind academically to her peers in English medium and now having dyslexia to manage on top of it all.

Hi, I don't know where you are, and don't have any personal experience (sorry!), but there's a Glasgow Facebook group regarding supporting GME pupils in Glasgow where you may find someone able to help?
You'd have to search for the group, I'd imagine.

Is she going to a Gaelic only secondary or a Gaelic stream in an English school?

Could you speak to any one at the high school?

FWIW I also feel that my DC are behind academically, but on the other hand they do speak a whole other language which has benefits.

Thank you! I didn’t spot that group.
Also, it’s a GME only high school which makes the decision harder

Stunned to hear GME kids behind academically. When I went through it we were way ahead of the mainstream (beurla) kids.

In my class one kid was dyslexic, but stayed in the gaelic unit. At high school took learners gaelic exam and aced it!

Tough decision, I've no advice but not often get to comment on GME so feel have to sing its praises as I think it's a great thing. But maybe not for your wean.

That is really hard OP. I think I would ask for the relevant contact at the high school and request a meeting with them and see what they would put in place to support her.

I should say aswell, as I don’t want it to be a pros and cons against GME, I have no issue with GME. It’s a really incredible opportunity to have totally immersion learning in a second language in an English speaking country.
My kids are so keen to try and speak the native language in whichever country we visit. They have no embarrassment about getting pronunciation wrong etc as they know this is part of the learning experience. That in itself is brilliant never mind the other benefits.
This definitely isn’t the place to get onto issues with individual schools but I know talking about GME can sometimes descend into a political discussion. Just want to make it clear I’m not here for that!

And to the other posters above, you’re probably right that the best thing to do is meet with the high school and try and get ahead of it all while we’ve still another primary school year ahead of us

Yes, I've found the same OP, my child will have a go at speaking Spanish/French/German/Dutch quite happily and will make an effort to always say hello/thank you etc.

a friend has a dyslexic child in GME and they are doing okay. Actually I think they are also P6. The glasgow group is helpful so ask on there. I think she's on it.

This is a really difficult one, OP, and I can imagine what a dilemma it poses you.

Have you had a look at: https://addressingdyslexia.org/gaelic-medium-education/?

Also, it might be worth searching online / on Mumsnet for resources and experience with regard to dyslexia in the Welsh and Irish Medium education systems, just because they’re ahead of the curve compared to Scotland at least in terms of total numbers.

It might depend on where your DD’s interests lie, if they’ve emerged yet.

Also, if she’s P6 now, could you consider moving her to an English school in P7, to let her make friends and find her feet?

My son is 14 and dyslexic. He struggles immensely with reading and writing. He is in a Welsh medium school and finds reading and writing in Welsh MUCH easier than English since Welsh is a phonetic language. (His brother who is not dyslexic can work in either language).

I think I'm right in saying that Gaelic is also a phonetic language. Moving schools might make life harder for your child.

We're in a similar position. I took matters into my own hands last year (p4/5) and taught her how to read in English using the Toe by Toe book. She's stilted but better. I probably won't be putting her into Gàidhlig for S1 even though her spoken fluency is certainly good enough. The harsh reality is that if her English skills aren't up to scratch she'll have difficulty with everything. I'm so sad to see her struggle all the time. Gaelic is fine enough. She'll just not do "native".

My two younger children will likely stay GME though. They are fine.

So I don't know from a gaelic perspective but know from a dyslexia perspective as I am dyslexic but obviously everyone is different.

I can get by with other languages in spoken form although they have always been a lot tougher for me. But the written form was extremely difficult. My worst marks were in languages. Like many dyslexics I am far better with logic, numbers and stem subjects.

Only you know what is best for your child but if they don't currently write automatically or think automatically in that language then it can be a very big hurdle. Ironically English was one of my best marks as I had a very good teacher who knew the best way I learnt wasn't the same as others.

I can get by with other languages in spoken form although they have always been a lot tougher for me. But the written form was extremely difficult.

This has been the experience of my dyslexic family member too

How are things, @Decisionsdecisions43 ? Are you any further forward?

A friend sent this thread on to me. You may have found me via the group linked above already but if not and for anyone else wanting some insight into this topic, here's some info on activity around dyslexia and GME - this needs an update as we've met again since this was last updated but I'm on mat leave with Number 3 and finding time to do anything is challenging! We are working with Education Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig on this now.

https://www.emmabolger.co.uk/p/gme-and-dyslexia.html?m=1

And here's the link to the BBC Alba TV programme where we explored dyslexia and GME:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dzyq

Sent you a pm