A 1+2 Approach

The Scottish Government’s policy aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn an additional language from primary one, and a further additional language by primary five.

Supporting teachers

The Working Group recommends that schools and local authorities consider the engagement by schools of other skilled and trained native speakers of additional languages to work under the direct and explicit supervision of the classroom teacher in schools.

- Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach

Using native speakers

author British Council, British Council (2019)

In the latest British Council survey of over 300 UK schools hosting language assistants, Heads of Languages reported that their language assistant made a significant impact on attainment and learning outcomes in the following areas:

  • Improved exam grades (72%)
  • Improved cultural awareness (79%)
  • Increased enthusiasm or motivation for language learning (75%)
  • Improved standards in listening and speaking (81%)
  • Improved confidence in using the language (86%).

Read more...

Cultural organisations

Offers French courses for all levels and ages, which are complemented by a range of cultural and social events.

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Based at University of Strathclyde, this is a national centre promoting Chinese language and culture in Scotland's schools.

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Support for Spanish language and culture to teachers, scholars, students and others interested in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries. For further details contact the Education Officer.

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Organises and promotes German language and culture in Scotland. Provides German courses and runs a programme of cultural events to promote mutual understanding.  

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Offers French courses in Edinburgh and organises cultural events in Scotland. Encourages cross-cultural exchange between France and Scotland, in cooperation with Scottish francophile institutions.

Provides support for French language and culture to teachers, pupils and students interested in French speaking countries. For further details contact the Education Officer.

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Scottish Languages Employability Award

Developing language skills for the world of work

The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) is awarded by SCILT. It helps schools and businesses to build partnerships through languages in order to develop young people’s learning about the world of work and the value of language skills.

Find out more about the SLEA through the Employment pages of our website.

Parents as partners

Languages in a nutshell

Languages in a nutshell is a guide to learning languages, produced by SCILT in partnership with The National Parent Forum of Scotland. Aimed at parents, this leaflet explains how the 1+2 Approach will be put into practice and why learning other languages is so important. It also suggests ways parents can support their child’s language learning.

Languages in a nutshell is one in a series of Nutshell leaflets produced by The National Parent Forum of Scotland.

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