Programs Offered:

Regular Program:

The AGA currently offers a standard four-year program consisting of Beginner, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, and Advanced levels. All students may start the program at the Beginner level. Students can also enroll at higher levels, but to do so they should have already covered, through course work or by other means, most of the subjects covered in the previous AGA levels. A list of the subjects covered in each level is available by contacting the AGA.

Each level of the course runs from September through May of the following year. There are thirty (30) sessions during this period (one per week), and each session is three (3) hours duration. There are scheduled weeks off for the Christmas season and March break.

The AGA uses its own unique program and method of instruction, which was developed and perfected over a five-year period in a regular on-going class environment, and it has proven to be very successful. The program is designed to teach students to read, write, and speak Gaelic. There is an emphasis on conversation and approximately 75% of class time is spent speaking Gaelic, with sufficient time also spent learning proper sentence construction and vocabulary.

The AGA program uses texts, other materials, and CDs and Sound Files by fluent Gaelic speakers.

Each class is conducted by a qualified instructor either in person or through “live” distance learning (LDL) methods, depending on the student’s choice.

After the completion of the Advanced level, if a student requests, he/she can be tested, and if the test is successfully completed, the student will be awarded a “Certificate in Gaelic Language Studies”.

Fluent Program:

The AGA also offers a program at the “Fluent” level. This program will be available to students who have completed the AGA Advanced level or equivalent. The schedule and times will be the same as the regular program shown above.

The Fluent program will concentrate on reading, translation, discussion, and study of Gaelic stories and literature. Each sentence of the stories has a sound file, by a native Gaelic speaker, attached. The program will also include a review and the application of Advanced Gaelic constructions.

The program will be of interest to students who want to further their Gaelic conversation skills and knowledge of the language, at an advanced level.

Program delivery options:

The AGA offers the student two ways to take its programs:

1)   In-Person Classes: Classes held at specific locations with all members of the class and the instructor present at the same location.

2)   Live Distance Learning Classes:  Classes with individual students and the instructor in their own homes, but everyone connected at the same time into a “live” class using our Voice over Internet (No Cost) Phone system. These classes will be conducted in the same manner as the In-person classes.

Advantages of AGA program:

• The AGA has the largest Gaelic student body of any organization or institution in North America.
• The AGA program teaches students to become literate in the Gaelic language by learning to read and write, as well as speak the language.
• The program provides one of the quickest and best proven methods available to learn to read, write and speak proper Gaelic.
• The program uses a structured approach where continuous progress is being made towards the ultimate goal of being fluent in Gaelic.
• By using the AGA's VOIP System (no cost), students can study and speak as much Gaelic as they wish during the week with other students, from their own homes.
• Gaelic CDs and sound files by fluent Gaelic speakers for each lesson, a standardized Gaelic word pronunciation guide with a sound file for each word, and other tools, are provided to students so they can have access to the proper pronunciation of Gaelic words on a continuous basis.
• An "E Reader" system is available that will hold the AGA program materials. This will allow students to study anywhere while away from home.
• The AGA provides a Gaelic forum/message board and chat system for students, which greatly assists them in developing Gaelic reading and writing skills. These skills are now essential, since much more communication is now shifting from verbal to electronic forms i.e. Email, Chat systems, E learning systems, Twitter, etc.
• The AGA is on “Twitter” and "Facebook".
• The AGA conducts summer programs for its students to enable them to keep up their Gaelic during the summer months, and further develop their conversational skills.
• The AGA program can be taken by attendance at classes, or at home with “live” classes over the VOIP system, or a combination of both.
• The AGA employs top-rated teachers skilled in reading, writing, and speaking Gaelic.
• All instructors follow standardized lesson plans prepared by the AGA.
• All levels from Beginner to Fluent can be completed from the one school, the AGA.
• If students miss a class they can make it up with an LDL class during the week.
• Students traveling can attend classes in person in other areas, or through an LDL class.
• Many class times are available Monday through Saturday. 

Cost:

Tuition fees for the 2010/2011 school year are $385 for the Beginner Level; $400 for the Intermediate I Level; $415 for the Intermediate II Level; $435 for the Advanced Level; and $455 for the Fluent level. An instalment plan is available. The next classes start in September 2010 and continue until May 2011.  

Enrolling and Enquiries:

To pre-enroll go to the Pre-Enrollment page. To register go to the Registration Regular page. If you have any questions, send an Email from the Enquiries page.