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<span>MSPs want languages plan switch</span>
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<p>CHILDREN should be taught one foreign language all the way through school, a committee of MSPs has recommended.</p>
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<p>Concerns over funding to deliver the Scottish Government's intention
to teach two foreign languages were raised when the European and
External Affairs Committee produced its recommendations for language
policy.</p><p>
The government wants one foreign language taught from primary one and a second from primary five, known as the 1+2 model.</p><p>
But the committee said councils should ensure one modern language is
taught throughout and has asked the government for clarity on how it
will deliver the 1+2 policy.</p><p>
The MSPs have concerns whether the funding is sufficient and whether the necessary skills and resources are available.</p><p>
It wants detail on how the government will promote the benefits of
learning a language to encourage more people to be interested to allow
the policy to work.</p><p>
It is not known how many new teachers would be required or what training
would be needed to deliver more language teaching, but it was
recognised that the capacity does not currently exist.</p><p>
Councils are now conducting an audit of its language teaching capability
in terms of delivering the 1+2 programme and the committee has asked
the government to indicate whether it will increase funding to provide
the resources.</p><p>
Committee convener Christina McKelvie said: "We have uncovered areas
that the government should reflect upon as it begins to roll out this
policy from pilot to Scotland wide. </p><div style="display:block" id="article-mpu"><div style="display:block" id="mpu2" class=""><div style="display:block" id="mpu2-source">
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"In particular, while the committee believes local authorities require
flexibility on how they deliver the policy locally, there does need to
be more continuity. </p><p>
"Therefore, we are recommending that local authorities ensure one
language is taught continuously from primary to secondary schools. This
will help develop competency and can feed into the local job market more
productively."</p><p>
The committee recommended greater interaction between businesses,
universities and schools to promote language learning and for languages
to be better connected to other subjects, particularly science.</p><p>
The committee took evidence from language experts, councils, firms and universities during the last six months.</p><p>
stewart.paterson@ <a href="http://eveningtimes.co.uk">eveningtimes.co.uk</a></p>
<a href="http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/msps-want-languages-plan-switch-128192n.21398112">http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/msps-want-languages-plan-switch-128192n.21398112</a><br></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>**************************************<br>
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