Using ICT to Support Language Acquisition

In Highland, we have been working with two Gaelic Medium nurseries to introduce a range of selected ICT materials to the children. Our aim is to harness the advantages of technology to interest and engage the children to promote their confidence and competence in using language. As the majority of parents are not fluent Gaelic speakers this means that Gaelic is an additional language for most of the children. Therefore lessons learned in these settings and good practice developed can also be used to support children for whom English is an additional language (EAL) and to focus on language acquisition and self expression in all children. We have also been looking at ways in which the children can share their learning with parents and we can foster links between nursery and home.

Moira Shearer, Acting Senior Early Education Development Officer, Highland Council

Lorraine Shepherd, Nursery Co-ordinator Teacher

Kip Clark, Early Education ICT CO-ordinator for Highland

Moira Shearer
I have worked as a teacher in Highland for more years than I care to admit across different age ranges in primary school and with children who have additional support needs. In the 80’s I moved into the nursery sector and enjoyed both the spontaneity and enthusiasm of the children and the stimulus of working as part of a team. I was part of the group who put together Highland Region’s nursery guidelines before the existence of the 3 to 5 Curriculum Framework, which now seems a lifetime away although the ethos and principles remain the same. I was seconded to Inverness College lecturing and assessing across all aspects of early education before moving back to the region as early education development officer. We have a wide variety of centres in both local authority and in the voluntary and private sector and I can be on the boat to the island of Muck one day where there is one nursery child and the next day I am delivering training to thirty staff in Inverness.

Lorraine Shepherd
I had taught at all stages in the Primary sector before moving to Early years as a nursery support teacher. I then became one of the first group of Nursery Co-ordinator Teachers piloted in Highland region. In my cluster I have 5 local authority nurseries, one of which is Gaelic medium and 2 centres managed by Highland Pre-school Services.  I enjoy the variety in South Lochaber, which covers a wide geographical area.  The nursery closest to me is 3 miles away; the furthest is 38 miles away.  Last year I was accepted on a LECT study visit to Adelaide to view early years settings.  This was a marvellous opportunity and I brought back many excellent ideas I have attended the ICT ‘Training for Trainers’ course and have enjoyed introducing and using ICT resources in centres.  I am currently undertaking Chartered Teacher modules and have found pre-school children to be eager to work with me and try out my suggestions.  Most of them are also keen to tell me whether they think they are good ideas or not.

Kip Clark
I am an experienced Nursery Coordinator Teacher based in Inverness supporting Local Authority and Partner centres and also ICT Co-ordinator for Early Years taking forward the Early Learning Forward Thinking Strategy in Highland.