Policy and practice

Language and literacy are important elements of the Curriculum for Excellence. The Scottish Government has also made a manifesto commitment to introducing a language learning model based on the European Union 1 + 2 model. – this means creating the conditions in which every child will learn two languages in addition to their own mother tongue.

• The 1 + 2 policy for language learning and teaching of languages in Scotland recommends the introduction of an additional language (the L2) from Primary 1, with the L3 language introduced at the later stages of primary education but no later than P5.
• The emphasis of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is placed on learning experiences which ensure active engagement, motivation and depth of learning, and this creates a learning environment where languages can flourish.
• A review of the implementation of the 1+2 strategy shows the languages on offer in mainstream schools remain dominated almost entirely by a narrow range of European languages; there are no established examples in primary schools of teaching community languages such as Polish, Urdu and Arabic.
• The 1+2 Strategy includes a commitment to further involve “language communities” to “derive maximum benefit from foreign language communities in Scotland”.  Strengthening links with complementary schools, organised by local language communities, may be one way to achieve this.

 

 

 

back