Article Details

Article Details

Modern Languages Excellence Report

Author: Scottish Government
Publisher: Scottish Government
Date of Publication: 2011

Excellence Groups were established to consider what makes for excellence in subjects, and in skills development, across learning. The Groups met a number of times in autumn 2010. This is the final report from the Modern Languages Excellence Group.

Key messages on languages:

  • Senior Management in Local Authorities and schools need to be made aware of the benefits and the myths of language learning so that they can create the right kind of ethos and structures.
  • Decision–makers in Local Authorities and in schools have a responsibility to ensure that MLPS is given the secure place it deserves in the primary school.
  • Schools have to ensure that Modern Languages remain part of the broad general education. Most learners will need a solid base and appropriate gradient of progression from P6 (at the latest) to the end of S3. 
  • Modern Languages lend themselves naturally to cross-curricular activities and have a unique contribution to make to both International Education and to Literacy.
  • External Partnerships both at home and abroad greatly enhance the relevance and enjoyment of Modern Languages.
  • The target languages should be used in lessons and throughout the school as much as possible.
  • Teachers should take an eclectic approach to methodology, vary classroom activities and teaching materials, and use ICT in a meaningful way.
University of Strathclyde Education Scotland British Council Scotland The Scottish Government
SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages