Get started with Zero to Gaelic
Fàilte! (Welcome!)
Our Zero to Gaelic (Z2G) program offers three levels of progressive instruction, plus our Ceum Suas group for ongoing or more advanced learners. The 2025-26 season will be held via Zoom on the dates & times listed below—a total of sixteen 90 minute sessions.
All class times noted are held in Pacific Time.
We are excited to usher in the Autumn season with Zero-to-Gaelic & hope you will join us for classes beginning again in October 2025.
A $40 discount is available for individuals under the age of 30 and/or those experiencing financial hardship. To receive a discount code, please contact us at registration@slighe.com. Proof of eligibility may be requested.*
*This offer is subject to availability and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice.
Lesson Summaries and Dates
for the 2025-2026 season
Level 1— Lessons are based on the Syllabus & our reference text Scottish Gaelic in 12 Weeks, covering basics of pronunciation, useful vocabulary, & grammar. Practice conversation, building on the basics. I like to share songs that use sayings from what we have been learning & include videos where available. - Eve Gordon (See syllabus for Level 1 topics)
Saturdays, 1:30 pm-3:00 pm PT:
October 4, 18, November 8, 22 December 6, 20, 2025
January 10, 24. Feb 7, 21 March 7, 21 April 4, 18, 25 May 9, 2026
Level 2— Lessons will start with an explanation of the topic for the day, then move into conversational gameplay to practice and reinforce the subject - Mary Traywick
Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm PT
October 8, 22, November 12,26, December 10, (Holiday break), 2025
January 14, 28, February 11, 25, March 11, 25, April 8, 23, May 13, 27, June 10, 2026
Level 3— Speaking Gaelic is encouraged by making use of conversation, games, drills & songs, often using real objects or pictures. Linked with the material in the textbook, with plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions. - Judith Cummings (See syllabus for Level 3 topics)
Sundays: 5 - 6.30pm PT
October 12, 19, November 2, 16, 23, December 7, 14, 2025
January 11, 25, February 1, 15, 22, March. 1, 8, 29, April 12, 2026
Ceum Suas— Ceum Suas (Step Up) begins with simple Gaelic conversation, continues with various "grammar roundups" & concludes with reading stories, enjoying poems &/or songs. Ceum Suas is for those who feel ready to move on beyond “Zero to Gaelic” Level 3 or its equivalent. - Rich Hill
Mondays at 7pm PT
October 6, 20, November 3, 17, December 1, 15, 2025
January 5, 19, February 2, 16, March 2, 16, April 6, 20, May 4, 18, 2026
*Please note: If a presenter is unable to meet on any given date, an alternate meeting date will be arranged in consultation with that level’s participants.
Required Materials
Textbook: All levels utilize the textbook "Scottish Gaelic in Twelve Weeks" by R. Maolalaigh, J. MacInnes; with audio download/CD. Please confirm with the seller that you will be ordering a book and audio download/CD set. Available via several online sellers:
& other online sellers.
Content for levels 1, 2, and 3 generally follow the outline on the Syllabus. You can download the Syllabus using the link below.
Registration Cancellation Policy:
If cancelling before 10 PM (Pacific Time) on the day before the first lesson, registration will be refunded in full.
If cancelling before 10 PM (Pacific Time) on the day before the 5th lesson, the refund is half the registration amount minus a handling fee of $20.
There is no refund if cancelling after this time.
*To cancel, please send an email to your presenter or to registration@slighe.com by the deadline.
What to expect
A Zoom link will be sent to participants by the presenter approximately 48 hours before the first lesson. We recommend using video for Zoom sessions. If you connect by phone rather than video with Zoom, you may miss valuable lesson content.
*As always, please be sure to check spam or junk folders for emails regarding lessons.
If you are under the age of 18, please contact us by email before registering at registration@slighe.com
If the registration fee is a hardship, please contact us at registration@slighe.com
Questions? Email registration@slighe.com
“ZtG has been great fun, and I made way more progress learning the language than I thought possible. I have also been introduced to a whole community of folks from all over the region who are interested in learning Gàidhlig and more about Scottish culture.”
“Learning a different language is definitely not my best thing but Z2G instructors make it fun and time at the GIDs flies by. I have enjoyed making friends with other people who love Scottish culture and language.”