Michael Russell MSP hosted a parliamentary reception on Thursday 24 September 2015, entitled Languages: a world of opportunity. This event was a celebration to language learning and aimed to inspire people throughout Scotland to appreciate language skills as valuable, enabling, achievable, career and life-enhancing.

As an employability skill, Scotland as a whole stands to gain from language skills becoming the norm for us all. This is why Scottish Government is committed to radically enhance language learning in schools across Scotland through Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach.

A variety of real life examples showed participants how stronger language skills are already making a difference – in education, in employment and in opportunities on a personal level. See the Testimonies tab to access these examples.

Speakers included Dr Alastair Allan, Anne McColl of Stirling University, BBC Alba, Scottish Council of Development and Industry (SCDI) and a student whose life has been transformed through language learning and mobility. A full list of speakers can be accessed through the Speakers tab.


This page provides links to further reading, partner websites and other resources to help you take your involvement in languages to the next level.

Everyone is invited to consider how to further promote language skills, and an understanding of their value, in the interests of Scotland’s global position.

“Without languages one can survive but with languages one can fly!” - Marion Beattie, Head of Employer Services at Skills Development Scotland

                                    #1plus2     #SCILT     #CISS     #Languagelearning

1+2 Glasgow

One pupil shares her experience of learning modern languages in the City of Glasgow. Please note there is no sound with this video

Developing the young workforce in picture

Please note there is no sound with this video

Language Learning at Corseford School

Corseford School for children and young people with complex needs were the winners of the first “Making Language Come Alive” award at the Scottish Education Awards in 2015.

No show, film work with subs

A project from Craigroyston High School which incorporates both media and language to tackle issues affecting teenagers.

Jim Fleeting, Scottish Football Association

Learning another language not only opens up employment opportunities in other countries, but it also gives you a bit of kudos with the people who speak that language.

If you can say a few basic words to a foreign player who has come to play in this country, it makes them feel more comfortable. It is all about respect.

I find it embarrassing that people speak English when we go abroad and we can say very little in their language. You miss out on a lot in social contexts when you cannot take part in the discussion because you cannot speak the language. Not only are you missing out from a cultural point of view, but in some instances, also from a professional point of view.
At school I could never have foreseen where I would end up. I have travelled extensively and met all sorts of high profile people. I only wish I had been able to speak to all of them in their own language!

Jennifer Scott, second year undergraduate at Edinburgh University

Attended St Columba’s High School, Dunfermline, now studying towards Honours degree in French and Spanish, took German ab initio course in first year.

Standing in a little café in Tarragona as a twelve year old, trying in vain to order churros con chocolate but only being able to say what was in my pencil case, was the defining moment for me. I remember telling my parents there and then that one day I would be able to speak Spanish just like the staff working that day. My passion for languages was ignited at school and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the classroom, what I now enjoy most about learning languages is probably what is often overlooked – the journey to fluency actually goes far beyond the ability to communicate. To aspire to be multilingual allows a person access to new cultures, as well as the discovery of literature, history, media, politics and an entirely different way of life. Whilst chanting irregular verbs at school was enjoyable, the real pleasure comes with seeing a language being brought to life outside of the classroom. Learning languages provides a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement, even if a brief encounter simply included the word “merci”. I couldn’t, and still can’t conceal my curiosity when exposed to languages in real life situations. On hearing tourists speaking their native language, I take great delight in listening to the different patterns and rhythm entailed – something that I now experience regularly, living in Edinburgh. In addition to this, fluency in a language can provide many opportunities for travel across the globe. I am very grateful for the experiences languages have given me so far, and am sure they will continue doing so in the future.