Essentials for Planning

Curriculum Improvement Cycle

The Curriculum Improvement Cycle is currently underway. Follow advice from your senior leadership team on planning for progression in languages during the phase of transition from CfE Benchmarks, Experiences and Outcomes (Es&Os), to the new Know-Do-Understand (KDU) model in August 2028.

Up-to-date generic information about the Curriculum Improvement Cycle from Education Scotland
Latest subject specific information from the Curriculum Improvement Cycle - Languages.
Draft sample strand for languages was published June 2026, alongside draft samples from all other curriculum area within the new Know-Do-Understand (KDU) model. The sample includes an illustrative Big Idea and a KDU progression strand from CfE Early to Fourth Level, co-created with teachers, practitioners and partners. The KDU model will replace the Experiences and Outcomes (Es&Os) and Benchmarks as these begin to be phased out from August 2028. Find it listed: Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC): Early Draft Sample materials June 2026 – Curriculum Improvement Cycle

The new curriculum will retain the four capacities and the four contexts of learning. These links may be of help throughout the transition and beyond:

Four capacities (Education Scotland)
Four contexts of learning (Education Scotland)

Curriculum for Excellence

Benchmarks

Benchmarks can be accessed on Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub along with Benchmark exemplification.

Moderation Cycle

The Moderation Cycle is available from Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub.

1+2 guidance

Modern languages support for 1+2 : Weekly planner Primary 1 - Primary 7

author Education Scotland, (2022)

This weekly planner covers each academic year, P1 through to P7, with suggested timeframes, contexts for learning and how to ensure learners progress across the four skills in language learning, as they move from Early to Second level in the L2.