1 + 2 Languages

The Scottish Government’s Languages Working Group has released a report calling for all pupils in Scotland to start learning a second language in primary 1 and to pick up a third language by primary 5. The group argues that Scotland cannot afford to not invest in language learning and suggests that an “inability to engage with foreign business in its own language… can be measured as a cost equivalent to over £500 million to the Scottish economy” (TES Magazine). The report has called for primary 1 trials to start as early as 2012/13 with the aim of policy being rolled out by 2013/14. Alasdair Allan MSP, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s languages said: “Introducing two additional languages is an ambitious goal, but these recommendations give us an excellent platform to deliver it.” You can read more in TESS by clicking on the link below: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6232918