Discover Ùlpan – Immersive Scottish Gaelic Course
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
The word Ùlpan (borrowed from the Irish/Welsh equivalent, which in turn traces back to Israel’s Ulpan model) signifies immersive, spoken-first language learning. Love Gaelic offers the Ùlpan course, created by Deiseal Ltd years ago, and brings this method to life, guiding learners from complete beginners all the way up to advanced fluency.
Why Choose Ùlpan?
Proven immersion method: Speak and listen first, with reading and writing introduced later to build a natural, conversational foundation
Comprehensive syllabus: 144 structured units spanning beginner to advanced levels.
Rich course materials: Worksheets, vocabulary lists, grammar aids, activity cards, downloadable audio, and more.
Format & Teacher Support
Certified, experienced tutoring: Led by a Gaelic tutor with around 15 years’ experience of teaching Ùlpan.
Weekly study commitment: Expect around 2–5 hours of study per week, including homework prep (self-checked using provided answer keys).
Flexible group sizes: Classes adapt based on enrollment—from 1 to more students
Course Structure & Scheduling
Blocks of 12 Units - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
“Block of 12”: Offered at £275 (with a reward pack) or £260 (without), it includes access to Saturday morning Listening & Conversation sessions.
Lessons are 1 hr per week for small cohorts (1–4 learners), scaling up to 1.5 hrs for larger classes.
Includes unlimited access (during the 2025–2026 season) to extras like literature, history, and song sessions—free or discounted.
Aonad-Based Intake
Learners start with Units 1–12, or dive into Units 24+ if they can show evidence of completion of all prior units.
September 2025 enrollment is open.
A special 24-week Saturday package (Units 1–24 + Conversation) costs £540, designed for early birds—limited spaces apply.
Fast-Track learners with multiple units each week - get in touch for a quotation
Intensive Mid‑Spring Week (May 2026)
A five‑day immersion week in North Uist for students wishing to do Units 1 - 12, scheduled for 4 - 8 May 2026 (£425).
A five‑day discounted immersion week in North Uist for all current and past Love Gaelic Ùlpan students, scheduled for 11–15 May 2026, at a special rate of £250
Who’s It For?
Total beginners — particularly if you supplement with the recommended “Beginner conversation” course.
Committed learners — those ready to invest consistent study time weekly and want to work hard on their pronunciation / speaking skills.
Flexible participants — whether you want to dip in with a block or follow through all 144 units. Multiple lessons per week are available for those looking to fast-track their learning .
Learner Feedback
Insights from real students showcase how Ùlpan combines rigor with engagement:
“It seemed easy at first, then gradually got harder… fast‑paced and fun!”
“Ann is optimistic, cheerful and forgiving… refreshing to concentrate on pronunciation and common conversational drills.”
Proven Results
Structured for steady progression—your path is reliably charted through the 144-unit curriculum.
Why Ùlpan?
Immersive design: Speak from day one; refine skills through repetition and audio reinforcement.
Strong support network: Tutor-led sessions with answer keys, soundfile feedback and rich online resources.
Community elements: Conversations, cultural content, and a friendly learning atmosphere.
Flexible scheduling & course breadth: Blocks, booster weeks, and full immersion options.
Next Steps
Determine your entry point: Beginner block, mid-level, or intensive week?
Register for September/October 2025 (or sign up for the 2026 immersion week).
Commit weekly — attend lessons, complete pre-lesson prep, and supplement with online Listening/Conversation sessions.
Engage interactively — take advantage of the tutor feedback, live discussions, and cultural extras.
Final Thoughts
Love Gaelic’s Ùlpan program combined with its own conversation courses, offers a thoughtful, well-supported path to robust Gaelic skills—whether you’re starting from scratch or bolstering your existing knowledge. With clear structure, expert guidance, and immersive focus, it's an exceptional foundation on your journey to speaking a living language—beyond textbooks, into real conversation and culture.
