An Àirigh Gaelic Immersion FAQs

LOGISTICS

What does An Àirigh mean? 

An àirigh is the Gaelic for 'the shieling' or summer dwelling – the huts where Gaels would live while they took care of the animals grazing the summer pastures. It was a 'home away from home', a place of fun, freedom and conviviality which folks looked forward to each year. Although our immersion will take place during winter, we hope to create the same sense of fun community living which folks enjoyed at an àirigh. 

Where will An Àirigh take place? 

The immersion will take place in Cape Breton with full details to be released very soon! 

How long is An Àirigh? 

The immersion will run for four months from October 27, 2025 to February 27, 2026.

Will we get weekends off?

Core programming & instruction will take place Monday to Friday. Weekends will include gentle facilitation, guest instructors/speakers, special events, and occasional field trips.  There will also be time for rest, reflection, and integration.    

Will there be a break for the winter holidays? 

Yes! We will take two weeks off over Christmas so that participants can return home to visit friends and family, if they wish. The immersion will pause at noon on December 19, 2024 and will reopen after the holiday break on January 5, 2026.

How much is it? 

The course is valued at $10,800. There are full and partial bursaries available for eligible Nova Scotian participants. Please indicate in your application form if you are interested in receiving one of these bursaries. 

Will I have my own room? 

Single rooms are available and there will also be options for couples or friends to share a room to increase capacity. 

Will I have my own bathroom?

Some of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, others have shared communal bathrooms. 

Who will do the cooking and cleaning? 

We will do it together, family style! We will be living together through Gàidhlig, which means cooking and cleaning will be facilitated language-learning opportunities alongside our other language sessions. We will share chores equitably and have fun and learn while we do them. 

Can dietary requirements be accommodated? 

Yes! We will do our best to source good, local ingredients to make communal meals which everyone can eat. We can make varied dishes to accommodate different diets, and participants can contribute to meal planning to make sure you get the nourishment you need. 

Do I need a car?  

Not necessarily. The immersion location is very rural and there are no local public transport networks so you would have a lot more freedom having your own car, but there will be plenty of other people there with cars to carpool to field trips and errands. 

Is there space to park? 

Yes, there is space for parking. 

Can I bring a pet? 

While we know how important pets are to many of us, we are unable to accommodate them during the immersion.

Can I bring my child(ren)?

We truly value intergenerational learning and this particular program is intended for adults only.  We’re not able to accommodate children during the immersion.  There will be times when visitors, including children, will be welcome to visit the immersion house.

Can my partner/friend visit/stay with me? 

We will be maintaining a Gàidhlig-only immersion environment for the vast majority of the immersion, but there will be opportunities for friends, family and community members to come visit for scheduled ceilidhs where English is also welcome. 

Can I work my paid job while taking part in the immersion? 

It depends on your job. We will give priority to applicants who are able and willing to commit full-time to An Àirigh. It may be possible to work some remote, part-time and flexible hours during the immersion. It wouldn't be possible to work a regular in-person work-day. 

Can I attend for just one, two or three months, rather than four? 

We will give priority to applicants who are able and willing to commit full-time to the full four months of An Àirigh. We will also consider applications from individuals who are able to commit full-time but for a shorter length of time. 

Can I attend as a day student rather than staying onsite? 

We encourage you to apply as a day student, stating this clearly in your application, and we will try to include you in the program. We will give priority to applicants who are able and willing to stay onsite.

LEARNING

What kind of Gàidhlig learner is an Àirigh geared towards?

The program is geared towards beginner learners who are excited and committed to fast-track their fluency. Perhaps you've done a few months on Duolingo and are yearning for more, or you've completed basic courses at Colaisde na Gàidhlig or learned some Gàidhlig from family members. Whatever your route, having a grounding in some basic phrases and concepts will be helpful when you first join An Àirigh. We will also consider applications from brand new beginners and more intermediate/advanced applicants. If in doubt, contact us to chat and find out more! 

What is the teaching methodology? 

We will use the 'Gàidhlig aig Baile' home-based, total immersion methodology. This grounds language learning in daily domestic contexts, focused on language which is tangible, practical and can be used every day. The focus is on developing comprehension and spoken fluency, although we may spend some time working on reading and writing as well. There will be lots and lots of repetition and action-based learning, light-hearted fun and simple daily activities to help you learn phrases you can use in your day-to-day lives. 

What will an average day look like?

Life at An Àirigh follows the natural rhythm of community living - grounded in Gàidhlig language, culture, and connection.

Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: Participants take part in core programming - a mix of guided language learning, hands-on activities, and everyday tasks like cooking, games, and outdoor fun, all done through Gàidhlig. Whether you’re making a pot of soup, playing Jenga, or making art, you’re also building your fluency in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

Evenings feature optional programming: The opportunity to sing songs, play games, make crafts, or simply connect. These sessions may be led by staff or guest instructors and offer a chance to unwind while still engaging with the language. You’re always welcome to rest when you need to - participation is encouraged but never required.

Weekends and holidays: Mostly unscheduled, with some facilitation including optional cultural outings, field trips, and community events that may include visits to Gàidhlig elders, music sessions, or milling frolics.   Sessions may be led by staff or guest instructors.

Do we have to speak Gàidhlig the entire time? 

Almost always! This is an all-Gàidhlig, all-the-time immersion environment. Participants are expected to use Gàidhlig at all times during program activities, meals, and social time. English will be used only when absolutely necessary.

Use of English is permitted in designated spaces when necessary for safety, clarity, or one-on-one support. There will be opportunities for friends, family and community members to come visit for scheduled ceilidhs where English is also welcome. 

When is English permitted? 

This is an all-Gàidhlig, all-the-time immersion environment. Participants are expected to use Gàidhlig at all times during program activities, meals, and social time. English will be used only when absolutely necessary.

To accommodate personal or urgent communication needs, a designated area will be made available where English can be spoken. This space should only be used for necessary communication in English — such as phone calls, emergencies, health & safety matters, or moments requiring clarity or one-on-one support.

By committing to full immersion, we create a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to grow in confidence and fluency, regardless of level.

What if I have additional support needs? 

We are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and caring environment where every participant can thrive. If you have specific support needs (related to health, mobility, mental wellness, learning, sensory processing, or anything else), we encourage you to let us know during the application process or reach out directly.

While we may not be able to meet every need on-site, we will do our best to work with you to explore what’s possible and provide support where we can. We want Gàidhlig learning to be accessible, and we welcome your voice in helping us make that happen.

What kinds of fieldtrips/visits will we experience? 

Participants can expect a variety of immersive outings that connect language learning with local culture, history, and environment. These may include:

• Visits to Gàidhlig-speaking homes and communities

• Traditional music sessions, square dances, and storytelling gatherings

• Milling frolics and song circles

• Tours of significant cultural or historical sites (museums, cemeteries, or former settlements)

• Walks on the land to learn place names, plant knowledge, and seasonal activities

• Visits with craftspeople or tradition-bearers (e.g., basket makers, knitters, weavers, woodworkers)

• Opportunities to take part in community events 

All visits are designed to support language use in real-life, culturally rich settings and help deepen participants’ connection to Gàidhlig life-ways.