[lg policy] Scotland: MSPs want languages plan switch

[Harold Schiffman]

 MSPs want languages plan switch

CHILDREN should be taught one foreign language all the way through school,
a committee of MSPs has recommended.

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.

The government wants one foreign language taught from primary one and a
second from primary five, known as the 1+2 model.

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.

The MSPs have concerns whether the funding is sufficient and whether the
necessary skills and resources are available.

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.

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.

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.

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.
<script language="JavaScript"
type="text/javascript">document.write('<a href="
http://pixel.mathtag.com/click/img?mt_aid=1604812465454478334&mt_id=279324&mt_adid=108674&mt_uuid=50f050cc-ae9f-9989-0a14-2314646c5bae&redirect=http://clk.atdmt.com/NYC/go/426815403/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/1604812465454478334"
target="_blank"><img src="
http://view.atdmt.com/NYC/view/426815403/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/1604812465454478334"/></a>');</script><noscript><a
href="
http://pixel.mathtag.com/click/img?mt_aid=1604812465454478334&mt_id=279324&mt_adid=108674&mt_uuid=50f050cc-ae9f-9989-0a14-2314646c5bae&redirect=http://clk.atdmt.com/NYC/go/426815403/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/1604812465454478334"
target="_blank"><img border="0" src="
http://view.atdmt.com/NYC/view/426815403/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01/1604812465454478334"
/></a></noscript>

"In particular, while the committee believes local authorities require
flexibility on how they deliver the policy locally, there does need to be
more continuity.

"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."

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.

The committee took evidence from language experts, councils, firms and
universities during the last six months.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/msps-want-languages-plan-switch-128192n.21398112


-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its
members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or
sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who
disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write
directly to the original sender of any offensive message.  A copy of this
may be forwarded to this list as well.  (H. Schiffman, Moderator)

For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to
https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/
listinfo/lgpolicy-list
*******************************************
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/lgpolicy-list/attachments/20130622/fde01572/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
_______________________________________________
This message came to you by way of the lgpolicy-list mailing list
lgpolicy-list at groups.sas.upenn.edu
To manage your subscription unsubscribe, or arrange digest format: https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/lgpolicy-list