Scotland
18 April 2024 (BBC)
The BBC has released details of the cast for its first Gaelic language crime drama, which has started filming in the Hebrides and Glasgow.
Called The Island and costing more than £1m per episode, BBC Alba's four-part thriller is centred around a murder investigation.
Sorcha Groundsell, who grew up in Lewis and Glasgow, has been cast in the lead role - a family liaison officer who returns to her home island following the murder of a millionaire's wife.
She has previously appeared in HBO series His Dark Materials, BBC drama Shetland and Netflix's The Innocents.
Read more...
Celebrating the learning of Mandarin within Scottish schools
16 April 2024 (SCEN)
SCEN are keen to showcase and promote the learning of Mandarin within schools in Scotland. You are invited to create a short (around five minutes) video to celebrate the learning of Mandarin in your school.
Take a look at the video produced by Boroughmuir High School (and associated primaries) in Edinburgh sharing their thoughts as they continue their Mandarin journey.
Submissions will be promoted and shared on the SCEN website.
For further information, advice and support about making a short film in your school please contact youthvoice@scen.info.
16 April 2024 (Open University)
TEachers Learning to Teach languages (TELT) aims to increase and improve language provision in primary schools. Teachers simultaneously learn a new language and the skills to teach that language in the classroom. The programme is General Teaching Council for Scotland approved, and can count towards postgraduate qualifications.
Available languages are French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Registration is now open for the programme commencing October 2024.
Visit the Open University website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
16 April 2024 (RZSS)
RZSS Science in the Language Class has three new FREE language linked outreach sessions aimed at upper primary level and available for August 2024 but as places can fill up fast early booking is recommended.
French: A one hour outreach session linked to RZSS work in the French Polynesia Islands with the Partula snail. We don't just work with the big charismatic animals. We can't forget the importance to the ecosystem of the wee beasties. Learn more about the conservation work with activities linked to French.
Gaelic: A one hour outreach session linked to RZSS work in Scotland with the Scottish wildcat. RZSS Highland Wildlife Park has a special centre which is breeding the Scottish wildcat for release to the wild. The first release was in 2023. Learn more about the Scottish wildcat with activities linked to Gaelic.
Spanish: This can be a one hour outreach session or there is the option for a short 2 week course, where in the first week there is a 45 minute live virtual introductory session, followed by a one hour in-person outreach. The session(s) are linked to the RZSS work in South America with the giant armadillo, the giant anteater and the two-toed sloth. Although they seem very different animals, they all belong to a group called Xenarthra which means strange joints! Learn more about this work with activities linked to Spanish.
All are available throughout Scotland including the Islands. However, if further afield (ie not in the Central Belt) then we do need a cluster of schools booking together to come for a few days or a week. Or possibly one school booking a number of sessions over a few days. Sessions are aimed at P4-P7. Maximum number per session is 33. Contact Sandie Robb - srobb@rzss.org.uk for further details and to discuss options. Also see the Science in the Language Class website.
Read more...
11 April 2024 (SCILT)
We’re delighted to announce the winners of our recent poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian of any level (including those with no prior learning). The prompt was ‘Cosa significa L’Italia per me’ – what Italy means to me – and we asked learners to include as much Italian language as they were able to. We received some fantastic entries across the four different age categories, and the S1-S3 category was especially popular, so we decided to feature some specially commended entries too. A big thanks to everyone who created a poster for the competition, and to their teachers who sent in all the entries!
Read more...
27 March 2024 (Scottish Book Trust)
According to the 2011 census, 1.5 million people in Scotland identified as Scots speakers, with a further 267,000 reporting that they could understand the language. After English, Scots was the most widely spoken and understood language across Scotland. UK-wide, more people self-reported as speaking Scots than either Gaelic (57,000) or Welsh (562,000), making Scots the UK’s most widely spoken minority language.
Despite this, there is often misunderstanding about the status of Scots as a language.
Read more...
25 March 2024 (TES)
The recent announcement that the University of Aberdeen has lifted the threat of compulsory redundancy from its languages staff and will continue to deliver joint degrees in languages was a rare moment of good news for the languages sector.
But the focus on universities hides a much greater opportunity to secure a sustainable future for languages. The curriculum review taking place following the publication of Professor Louise Hayward’s report, It’s Our Future, is a chance to reflect on what languages should look like going forward.
This is a critical moment. Global citizenship is intrinsic to the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and since 2011 the Scottish government has signalled the strategic importance of languages by investing over £36 million in languages provision in the “broad general education (BGE)”. The introduction of languages from the age of 5 established language-learning as the norm, and many schools embraced it as an opportunity to revise their BGE provision.
But with the implementation and funding of the 1+2 languages policy now complete, there is a real danger that this progress will be squandered.
Read more...
22 March 2024 (SCILT / eSgoil)
SCILT is going to be offering two more online Languages and Your Career sessions before the summer and we'd love to see you there! These sessions will be different from previous ones offered as they will be tailored specifically to particular groups of learners. These will be:
Wednesday 15 May 11.00 - 12.00, a session aimed specifically at Secondary BGE learners (S1-3) which will explore the fun, transferrable employability skills associated with languages. We will examine together how these are a valuable asset in any learner’s skillset.
Tuesday 11 June 2.00 – 3.00, a session aimed directly at Senior Phase pupils just starting new courses. This will look further forward from the perspective of those who have already chosen languages and will include tips on making the most of the language learning experience in school and beyond.
Like previous sessions, these webinars aim to introduce learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work.
Both sessions will take place within the Languages and Your Career Glow Team. Registration is via e-Sgoil.
Read more...
22 March 2024 (University of Strathclyde)
The online Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) in Mandarin at the University of Strathclyde is a qualification that, through live-streamed, evening classes, brings beginners to the equivalent of BA degree level (120 credits) over the course of three years. The course will, therefore, overtake the minimum 80 credits required by the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) for teaching in a secondary school. For language teachers already in possession of a language teaching qualification accepted by the GTCS, the course will allow them to add Mandarin to the suite of languages they already teach. On completion of 80 credits, the course will include a four-week summer school in China (tuition, accommodation, and food provided) that will count towards the GTCS residency requirement for full registration.
The course fees are £950 per year. For teachers who are currently employed in a local authority that hosts a Confucius Classroom hub (click this link for a list of participating local authorities), funding may be available to you from your local authority’s hub funding. Please ask your school/LA contact for details. Additional funding sources are currently being explored.
The university is currently accepting applications for the first three-year cycle of this new course, which will be delivered entirely online. Numbers permitting, the course will commence in September 2024. Further information and application details can be found on the University of Strathclyde website.
Read more...
19 March 2024 (Goethe-Institut)
If you prefer in-person teaching and would like to meet other learners of German in Glasgow, sign up now for the Goethe-Institut Glasgow's onsite or blended learning courses starting in April.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for a full listing of courses and levels available.
Read more...
18 March 2024 (Scottish Field)
BBC ALBA has commissioned a brand-new crime thriller which will be the biggest Gaelic drama series in the channel’s history – with an estimated budget of more than £1 million per episode.
The ambitious four-part series, An t-Eilean (The Island), is set to put Gaelic-language drama on the global map with a gripping storyline from screenwriter and creator Nicholas Osborne.
Set against the elemental landscape of the Outer Hebrides, An t-Eilean is a compelling crime story that follows a family caught up in a murder investigation very close to home.
Read more...
17 March 2024 (The National)
A Doric bootcamp is to be held in a Scottish town this summer as part of a bid to help beginners get to grips with the language.
Dr Jamie Fairbairn, a Scots language teacher and head of humanities at Banff Academy, has helped to organise the programme and said it is “absolutely vital” to protect the language.
The course is due to take place in Portsoy and Fairbairn says the idea originated following a conversation with BBC Alba journalist Andreas Wolff.
Read more...
Lingobox Learning Easter activities
14 March 2024 (Lingobox Learning)
Our French Easter Activities blog is now live on the Lingobox Learning website!
The blog is full of great ideas for developing French with your classes in the run up to Easter! You’ll also find our French Easter Bells Story, How to make an Easter Card and How to draw an Easter Egg (all French) on our Youtube channel.
Easter Competition!
To win a 1-year subscription to LingoboxLearning.com, simply:
- Try any Easter activity inspired by our suggestions or using our resources
- Share a post about it on any social media - Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Threads!
- Follow Lingobox and mention them in your post @LingoboxLearning (Insta/FB/Threads) @lingbox (Twitter)
- Post as many times as you like for multiple entries!
Gaelic L3 Team Teaching Live Lessons for schools - 6 week block suitable for P5-7
12 March 2024 (Highland Council)
Ideal for schools who would like to introduce Gaelic as an L3 or deliver Gaelic as a short term standalone language. Also provides support for teachers who are new to teaching Gaelic as L3 or would like to refresh their skills in the language.
The aim is to motivate pupils and empower teachers to deliver 1+2 languages entitlement by delivering fun, engaging live online language lessons through a unique team-teaching model facilitated by myself. During these lessons, teachers learn alongside their pupils in real time and lead the learning in their own class. This approach also develops teacher confidence to consolidate the language learning with their pupils during their own class time. This model of delivery provides on the job professional learning to alleviate workload pressures and helps teachers make the time for languages in a crowded curriculum.
The lesson structure alternates between short bursts of direct teaching from the online teacher, followed by the class teachers leading their own class in a game. This format allows the learning to remain active and therefore learners are fully engaged.
Each lesson lasts approximately 40 minutes and will take place via GLOW Teams. All resources will be available to download in advance of the session and will be stored in the GLOW Team. The sessions will run on the following dates, all take place 2.00-2.40pm:
- Wednesday 17 April
- Wednesday 24 April
- Wednesday 1 May
- Wednesday 8 May
- Wednesday 15 May
- Wednesday 22 May
We will cover the basic topics such as Numbers, Introductions & Greetings, Family, Weather etc throughout the course of the programme.
If you would like to enrol your class, please fill in this Google form
For further information about this Team Teaching model you can read the case study of the recent national pilot (document also attached)
If you have any further questions about the programme, please contact Ruairidh Mackay - ruairidh.mackay@highland.gov.uk
10 March 2024 (The Guardian)
Gaelic-language campaigners and MSPs have protested furiously about plans to axe a network of Gaelic community workers, raising fresh fears about the survival of the language.
Up to 27 Gaelic development workers based in Hebridean islands, rural counties and Scotland’s major cities are being laid off after the Scottish government cut funding to Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG), the body charged with protecting and reviving Gaelic.
The job losses have alarmed activists, who said these development workers were essential to their efforts to promote and reinvigorate the language and Gaelic communities, after decades of decline.
Read more...
8 March 2024 (BBC)
A strike by staff at the University of Aberdeen has been called off after the threat of compulsory redundancy was lifted from 26 employees.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) had planned to take six days of strike action throughout March.
The dispute centred on the university deciding to cut single degrees in modern languages.
The move had put the jobs of 26 staff at risk but the university said that was no longer the case.
In a statement, the university said it had been able to remove the possibility of compulsory redundancies after "receiving a strong set of proposals from staff in modern languages to grow income and reform the curriculum".
Read more...
7 March 2024 (Alliance Française)
Are you currently teaching French in a Secondary School and looking for a way to keep your French up to date? Join the Alliance Française Glasgow for our classes dedicated to French Teachers!
This class will enable you to converse in French, discuss the latest trends and topics in French society, review grammar, and connect with other teachers from Scottish schools.
The classes take place online from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with opportunities to meet in person.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol for the September semester.
Read more...
5 March 2024 (eSgoil)
Registration for eSgoil's Easter Study Support 2024 is now open!
Easter Study Support is for Senior Phase learners who are working towards National Qualifications. This year there are seventy-four different webinar Teams, covering a wide range of subjects and levels.
Live, interactive and free, the sessions will support learners towards final exams.
Visit eSgoil's website for the full timetable and to register for the webinars.
Read more...
5 March 2024 (University of Strathclyde)
A reminder that the University of Strathclyde is currently inviting applications for the latest three-year cycle of the GTCS-approved Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) in Italian, due to commence in September 2024.
Details on the course can be found on the CCEd in Italian webpage and applications can be submitted via the online portal.
Any questions/informal enquiries should be addressed to paul.hare@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
24 February 2024 (North Edinburgh News)
Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury has this week given a speech at an International Mother Language Day event in Edinburgh City Chambers, highlighting the importance of language learning education and calling for more investment and partnership work to deliver the Gaelic Language Plan.
International Mother Language Day, proposed by Bangladesh and memorialised by UNESCO on 21st February each year, focuses on promoting linguistic diversity and the importance of sharing our differences in culture and languages to foster tolerance and respect in our multi-cultural communities.
The initiative is significant in preserving heritage through language and maintaining multilingual education policies to promote lifelong learning of languages.
Read more...
Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2023-24 winners announced!
23 February 2024 (SCILT)
It gave us great pleasure to welcome pupils, teachers and special guests to our online 10th anniversary Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition awards on 21 February. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages. We were delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
Mother Tongue
P1-P4
- Yuexin Li, St Martin's Primary (Winner)
- Taras Sukhodolskyi, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Vova Abramov, West Primary (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Timothy Ishie, St James' Primary (Winner)
- Artem Bonardchuk, St John Ogilvie Primary ((Highly Commended)
- Chizara, Rua, Godwin & Mariama, St Maria Goretti Primary (Highly Commended)
- Hasnain Ali Shah, West Primary (Highly Commended)
- Kate Kaludova, West Primary (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Lavina Tsang, Craigmount High School (Winner)
- Alexia Rigg, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Ewen Darroch, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
- Jenny, Gemma, Sophie, Tess, Asra & Emma, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
- Mairi Stephen, Glasgow Gaelic School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Nova Senkowska, Mearns Castle High School (Winner)
- Anotidaishe Mugwagwa, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
Other Tongue
P1-P4
- Naomi & Caellum, Bunessan Primary (Winner)
- P4 Class, The Glasgow Academy Newlands & MIlngavie (Highly Commended)
P5-P7
- Alasdair MacDonald, Salen Primary (Winner)
- Lauren Stewart, Goodlyburn Primary (Highly Commended)
- Lilia Fournier, George Watson's College (Highly Commended)
S1-S3
- Amelia Armstrong, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Emma Pacci, Bearsden Academy (Highly Commended)
- Harrison Williams, Craigmount High School (Highly Commended)
S4-S6
- Natasha Dickson, Kirkintilloch High School (Winner)
- Abby Leitch, Graeme High School (Highly Commended)
- Katie MacNeil, Kirkintilloch High School (Highly Commended)
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy and be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Spanish entries. The winning entries in this category were:
- Emma Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- Axel Llovera Meneses - Kirklandneuk Primary
- The Language Ambassadors (Araav, Vihaan, Grace, Marc, Alexander, Poppy, Anaya & Maya) - The Glasgow Academy
- Spanish Club (Brooklyn, Bion, Rishi & Tobi) – Craigmount High School
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards which are kindly sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes in Manchester.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available to view.
Congratulations again to all our finalists and a big thank you for supporting the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 February 2024 (Greenock Telegraph)
A bunch of rookie movie makers have made the cut by reaching the final of a national film competition.
Pupils at Clydeview Academy created their own storyboard to enter a filmmaking contest run by The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET).
The project is entitled Our World and aims to encourage global citizenship, language learning and uptake among pupils.
Language teacher Vanessa Hall, who runs the club with colleague Lucy McCue, said: "It started in August, we were trying to widen pupils' use of language and making a film makes it more fun.
"The storyboard was based on the UN's sustainable goals and the pupils used two languages, Ukrainian and French.
"The theme is based on World Peace and is entitled Open Your Eyes."
Read more...
15 February 2024 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools is delighted to collaborate with The Eric Liddell Community to launch a poster competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell's legendary win at the 1924 Paris Olympics!
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland. The deadline for entries is Friday 8 March 2024.
Further details and the submission link can be found on the CISS website or see the attached flyer. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.
To find out more about The Eric Liddell 100 celebration events, please visit the Eric Liddell Community website.
Read more...
15 February 2024 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
Seachdain na Gàidhlig / World Gaelic Week takes place from 19 to 25 February 2024. There are lots of ways to get involved and celebrate the theme of ‘Your Language. Your Opportunity’.
Why not run your own event as part of Seachdain na Gàidhlig? Resources are available for individuals and organisations to deliver events in their own communities.
Visit the Seachdain na Gàidhlig website for more information and see what's happening in your area.
Read more...
13 February 2024 (Bilingualism Matters / SCILT)
Bilingualism Matters and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages are offering a series of free, online professional learning workshops for teachers in complementary and heritage language schools, based in the UK and beyond. The remaining workshops in the series are:
February workshop - The Language Learning Buzz: Strategies to engage and motivate learners, both online and in the classroom. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
March workshop - The Supportive Classroom: Strategies to support learning and encourage positive mindsets within a group of mixed ability learners. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
See the attached flyer for more information. You can book a place at these workshops via the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
12 February 2024 (SQA)
The SQA has recently published Common Questions documentation for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher on their Modern Languages webpage.
Read more...
8 February 2024 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Taking place from 28 February to 10 March 2024, the Glasgow Film Festival offers a wide range of screenings, including films in different languages.
Visit the GFF website for full programme details.
Read more...
6 February 2024 (STV)
More than 120 teachers have signed up to a training course on embedding Scots language into the classroom.
The first-of-its-kind resource is set to be delivered by the Open University, with funding supplied by the Scottish Government.
The current cohort of teachers are from all across Scotland and specialise in different subjects.
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth is set to officially launch the course on Tuesday at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh.
Ms Gilruth said the course is an “important step” towards embedding and protecting the language in Scottish education.
Read more...
3 February 2024 (Glasgow Times)
Proud students have shared their love of language after their school spent a week celebrating different cultures.
Fionnlagh Moireasdan, a student at the Glasgow Gaelic School, explained why embracing Gaelic as a second language meant celebrating his family history.
The 15-year-old said: "Gaelic has always been important to me because I'm passionate about keeping the language of my family and ancestors alive."
[..] Last week, pupils were treated to events to promote learning an additional language and reflect on the benefits as part of Languages Week Scotland.
Read more...
French online ‘Live Lessons’ for primary
1 February 2024 (Argyll & Bute Council)
Gwen McCrossan, PT for 1+2 languages for Argyll & Bute Council, is offering a 5-week block of French online ‘Live Lessons’ for primary learners.
Lessons commence Wednesday 28 February and will last 40 minutes from 1.30 to 2.10 pm. These lessons are aimed at P4 learners upwards. The lessons can be used as consolidation of L2 French or as an introduction to French as an L3. The content can be accessed with no prior knowledge of French but the lessons are reasonably fast paced and include team games, which is why they are not suitable for younger learners.
These lessons have a team teaching element as the games are led by the class teacher in their own classroom. The learning is chunked throughout the lesson between learning online from the expert to consolidating the new learning through playing a game in the class. This keeps the learning active but the teachers feel well supported. All the resources used during the lessons have sound files embedded to support learners and teachers with the pronunciation of key language. Each lesson contains an element of French phonics which practitioners have found to be very beneficial to develop confidence in pronunciation. Suggested follow-up resources and activities are also provided to allow the class teacher to consolidate the learning during the week.
As multiple classes will be attending these lessons, differentiation is not possible. Therefore, it is important that you decide whether the content of the lessons is suitable for your learners. For example, the content may be ideal for a P5 class which needs to revise and consolidate some simple French language. However, it wouldn’t suit a P7 class which had made steady progression in French from P1 onwards.
Content:
(each lesson will have a phonics element embedded)
Lesson 1- Numbers to 16, Greetings & Feelings
Lesson 2- Numbers to 20, Days & Weather
Lesson 3- Numbers to 31, Months & Birthdays, Colours
Lesson 4- Numbers to 31, Family
Lesson 5- Pets & description (Colour, size)
Please complete this form if you would like to sign up for these lessons.
If you would like to learn more about this team teaching model please read this case study which describes last year’s national pilot of this initiative.
1 February 2024 (SCILT)
For teachers looking to introduce Polish as an L3 learning experience, you might be interested to know that we have updated the existing Ten Steps to Polish resource which is now available on the SCILT website. Ten Steps to Polish aims to introduce primary learners to Polish language and culture through a series of ten lessons. The lessons are based on a storytelling approach whereby a child in Scotland learns they have Polish ancestry. The child then embarks on a journey to Poland and travels to various cities and places of interest, learning about Polish language and culture throughout their travels.
Although the lesson guide and framework remain broadly the same as before, we have replaced the existing sound files with brand new audio and video files which we hope will help with pronunciation and understanding. All new files have been embedded into the resource and are easily accessible. Links within the ‘Suggested resources’ section of the progressive framework have also been updated and now include a few video clips to help reinforce language learning and understanding. We hope you enjoy exploring the updated resource!
Dziękuję/thanks to Ania Trusewicz and Chris Sagan from the Polish Social and Educational Society, Glasgow for helping update Ten Steps to Polish and also for the support from the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh.
You can access Ten Steps to Polish on the SCILT website.
Read more...
Discovering the World of Arabic 2024-25: Secondary course
30 January 2024 (SCILT)
SCILT, in partnership with Qatar Foundation International, is opening registrations for schools who would like to take part in our Discovering the World of Arabic programme in session 2024/25.
For the coming session, schools will be able to access our traditional courses which run from September to March, or select our shorter introductory courses to offer an experience of Arabic as an L3 to their learners.
All participating schools will receive:
- A dedicated live online lesson delivered every week via Glow Teams for each individual school (time to be agreed with each school)
- Asynchronous materials to consolidate and further explore Arabic language and Arab cultures
- Ongoing support from the SCILT team
- Schools that are new to the programme will be eligible for a start-up grant of £2000, while all participating schools can bid for funding to provide resources and experiences that enhance the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arab cultures
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for local authority secondary schools to offer L3 learning experiences in Arabic language and cultures. BGE and Senior Phase courses have been co-created by the SCILT team and specially commissioned writers, with language lessons delivered online by teachers of Arabic. Both courses focus on developing conversational Arabic which will enhance learners’ understanding of Arab cultures and, in the Senior Phase course, their employability skills.
Discovering the World of Arabic is aimed at beginner learners who are seeking to enhance their language learning experience and develop their portfolio of skills. The lessons give learners the chance to explore aspects of Arab cultures as well as providing a solid linguistic foundation for learning the world’s fifth most spoken language.
Places are limited for this opportunity, so if you would like your school to be considered to take part, please complete the note of interest form by Friday 26 April 2024. Responses given on the note of interest form may inform the final selection of schools for this opportunity.
Please contact SCILT if you have any questions.
Discovering the World of Arabic 2024-25: Primary course
30 January 2024 (SCILT)
SCILT, in partnership with Qatar Foundation International, is looking for local authority primary schools in Scotland who would be interested in opening the door to the Arab world through our Discovering the World of Arabic programme.
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for primary schools to offer L3 learning experiences in Arabic language and cultures. For learners in local authority primary schools the course will be offered as a ten-week interdisciplinary block of learning and is aimed at P5-P7 pupils. The course is delivered online, through a mix of live and recorded classes, with supplementary materials being shared via Glow Teams.
The lessons give learners the chance to explore aspects of Arab cultures as well as providing a solid linguistic foundation for learning the world’s fifth most spoken language.
Live classes will be scheduled on Thursdays or Fridays. Schools will have the opportunity to opt for lessons in term 1 (September to December) or term 2 (January to March).
All participating schools will receive ongoing support from the SCILT team and a loan box containing a range of artefacts. Schools that are new to the programme will also be eligible for a start-up grant of £2000, while all participating schools can bid for funding to provide resources and experiences that enhance the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arab cultures.
Previous participants have told us:
‘The materials that were provided to the schools were great, the workbooks were very useful throughout the course. The mix of live and recorded sessions was a good idea.’
‘We really like the box of resources. We liked learning about the different colours and clothes. We enjoyed using the genial.ly websites.’
Places are limited for this opportunity, so if you would like your school to be considered to take part, please complete the note of interest form by Friday 26 April 2024.
Please contact SCILT if you have any questions.
30 January 2024 (The Gaudie)
As University bosses ponder the future of the modern language department, students have raised concerns about their lack of involvement in the process.
At a student welfare meeting held last week, nearly two dozen modern language students spoke of experiencing anxiety and stress due to ongoing uncertainty over the outcome of their degrees.
According to a written transcript of the meeting, Dean of Student Support Jason Bohan was told that many students have been operating at a “non-functional level” in recent months, lacking the capacity to concentrate on their lectures or meet deadlines.
Read more...
30 January 2024 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools is delighted to collaborate with The Eric Liddell Community to launch a poster competition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Eric Liddell's legendary win at the 1924 Paris Olympics!
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland. The deadline for entries is Friday 8 March 2024. Further details and the submission link can be found on the CISS website or see the attached flyer. Entries submitted via email will not be accepted.
To find out more about The Eric Liddell 100 celebration events, please visit the Eric Liddell Community website.
Read more...
Free French and Spanish trials
29 January 2024 (La Jolie Ronde)
To support Languages Week Scotland 2024, La Jolie Ronde are offering Scottish schools now and throughout February, FREE trials of their French and Spanish Scheme of Work for P3-P6. To take up this offer email: schools@lajolieronde.co.uk (quote SCILT). Plus, parents can book a FREE trial session of a French and/or Spanish class that run through their network of Scottish tutors - your local tutor can be found on the La Jolie Ronde website (for new pupils only).
26 January 2024 (SCILT)
Are you a Secondary PGDE student, NQT or ECT of Languages? Would you like the chance to network informally with others in the same boat across the country to share ideas and strategies, and even to chat in other languages from time to time? Then come along to our monthly drop-in sessions! These take place online on the last Thursday of each month.
Remaining dates for this academic year are as follows:
- Thursday 29 February 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 28 March 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 25 April 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 30 May 4.30 – 5.30pm
These sessions will take place on Corporate Teams. Visit our Eventbrite page to book; see you there!
Read more...
25 January 2024 (CISS)
Scottish schools can now register interest in the next block of the Mandarin Virtual Exchange Teacher programme, running from w/c 22 April – w/c 17 June 2024.
Over eight weeks, classes will be allocated a pair of student teachers who will work with their class to delivery weekly live streamed Mandarin lessons. The project provides classes for beginner level 1, 2 & 3. The courses are also suitable as L3 provision for BGE pupils in P5-7, as well as being suitable for Secondary BGE learners.
There will be an online information meeting (with a choice of two dates on either 8 or 20 February), to give an overview of the course and what is required of Scottish class teachers. Attendance at an information meeting is a requirement to participate in the programme, with the exception of teachers who have previously attended an information session and/or taken part in the VET programme within the last year. Teachers who are new to the programme are required to attend the meeting, even if the school has taken part previously.
You can find more information about the programme, as well as a link to register your interest and attendance at an information meeting (if required), on the CISS website.
Read more...
NEW! Multilingual Approaches through Art activity pack
25 January 2024 (MtA Project Partners)
We are excited to announce that the new Multilingual Approaches through Art (MtA) activity pack is now published!!
Funded by the Glasgow Knowledge Exchange Fund and created by those involved in the MtA project, this free activity pack contains a series of 10 activities which aim to inspire teachers and language educators to use art-based approaches in their teaching of languages. These activities use art as a content, medium and method for young people to explore who they are, how they can communicate multilingually, and how they build positive attitudes towards languages and language learning. The MtA activity pack aligns with the Curriculum for Excellence and Es and Os for each activity are referenced throughout.
We have a limited number of printed copies available* and there is also a downloadable digital version too. If you would like to receive a printed copy, please complete the form below.
To order a printed copy (*while stocks last), please complete this MS form.
Or access a digital version of the MtA activity pack.
Thank you!
Italian poster competition - Cosa significa l’Italia per me
25 January 2024 (SCILT)
We are launching a new poster competition for school-aged learners of Italian (this includes those with no prior learning). We would love you to use whatever knowledge of Italian and Italy that you have to show what Italy means to you.
Your challenge:
- Design a poster, including as much Italian language as you can, to show what Italy means to you.
- Use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per me.
- Individual or group entries are welcome. Group entries: use the title Cosa significa l’Italia per noi.
- Judging categories: P1-4, P5-7, S1-3, S4-6.
- This competition is open to all learners regardless of level of Italian. This includes those with no prior learning. The variation in Italian language content that will naturally result from this will be taken into account in the judging process.
- Closing date extended to Thursday 7 March 2024.
- Entries should be emailed by teachers in the form of a photograph to scilt@strath.ac.uk with Italian Poster Competition in the email subject line.
- A signed Submission and Consent Form (attached below) should also be sent at the same time for each entry. It is perfectly acceptable to upload a photograph of this form; it is not necessary to scan the document.
- In order to assist judging, please ensure that the sections of the Submission Form indicating level of Italian learning and where the inspiration for the poster came from are completed.
- Each entry should state the school name, pupil name and age category in its file name.
- Winners will be notified and announced around Easter 2024.
A downloadable flyer is attached.
We look forward to seeing your entries!
25 January 2024 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust are gathering information on the types of Scots activities undertaken in classrooms across Scotland, as well as teacher views of the benefits of and barriers towards teaching Scots in classrooms today.
We would be grateful if you could help us by offering your insights into the Scots Language in the Classroom by completing our short survey, which should take about 15 minutes to complete. The survey is open until 5 February 2024.
Read more...
Taster sessions in Japanese for senior phase students
25 January 2024 (University of Glasgow)
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Glasgow are looking for schools which would be interested in our taster sessions in Japanese; we can deliver them on their own premises on Fridays in February 2024 (exact dates TBC). Our tutors will deliver one-hour sessions focusing on some basic aspects of the language and on cultural elements such as, for instance, traditional food, manga and anime. Some information about options in terms of learning Japanese at the University of Glasgow will also be provided. Please contact: Emanuela.Ponti@glasgow.ac.uk
22 January 2024 (The Herald)
An initiative to support the teaching of foreign languages in schools has been quietly axed by ministers despite the Scottish Government praising its work.
The withdrawal of the programme was buried in the detail of budget documents published last month which have come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of other funding reductions which have recently emerged.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
22 January 2024 (The National)
Holyrood has launched a call for views on a bill that would give Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland.
The Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee are seeking views from the public as they begin to scrutinise the Scottish Languages Bill.
The legislation would change the status of Scots and Gaelic and change the responsibilities of both the Scottish Government and other public bodies to support the languages.
Read more...
22 January 2024 (SQA)
The SQA has added Word versions of the Coursework portfolio writing booklet. These can be found in the Coursework dropdown menu of the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland: SCILT/Scotdec special events!
18 January 2024 (SCILT / Scotdec)
To celebrate the LWS 2024 theme of Languages for a Sustainable World, SCILT and Scotdec are pleased to offer two CLPL opportunities on making language learning relevant and motivating with a Global Citizenship approach.
There will be a session for Primary teachers and a separate session for Secondary teachers. Both sessions will offer insights into how languages education can be a catalyst for fostering global awareness, empathy and a sense of responsibility.
More information and booking details via the following links:
18 January 2024 (Alliance Française)
Are you currently teaching French in a Secondary School in Scotland and looking for a way to keep your French up to date? The Alliance Française is running a new course commencing 19 February through to June 2024.
'French for Teachers' will enable you to converse in French, discuss the latest trends and topics in French society, review grammar, and connect with other teachers from Scottish schools. Classes will mainly be online, with two dates in-person at the Alliance Française in Glasgow.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to register for the course.
Read more...
16 January 2024 (Aberdeen Business News)
Following cross-party support from more than 30 MSPs, a motion to stop the controversial consultation and save language degrees at the University of Aberdeen is tabled for discussion at Holyrood today (Tuesday 16th January).
The motion, submitted by Aberdeen Central MSP Kevin Stewart in December last year, and backed by additional SNP, Green, and Labour party members, references the widespread support for retaining language teaching at the University from students, staff, alumni, Gaelic organisations and even several international consulates.
Read more...
16 January 2024 (Scottish Opera)
Scottish Opera will be celebrating the Chinese Year of the Dragon with a new digital expressive arts project for P6 and P7 pupils: How the Dragon Was Made. Designed for one class of upper school pupils, How the Dragon Was Made aims to improve pupils’ comprehension of Mandarin vocabulary, as well as provide a creative opportunity for performance and an element of peer-to-peer learning. It includes online resources to facilitate a class of pupils to perform their own 20-minute musical show in class, which can be performed for Primary 1-3 classes in school but also families and other guests.
More information and access to the resources are available on the Scottish Opera website.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
16 January 2024 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, is for students of Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges have until 29 January 2024 to register interest for their students via the Alliance Française website when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to those registered.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
15 January 2024 (Renfrewshire 24)
As Burns Night approaches, we celebrate not just Robert Burns’ poetry but also the wider heritage found in the Scots language.
With lively readings of Burns’ verses and traditional Scottish music, this spirited celebration highlights the importance of the Scottish language in preserving and expressing the unique identity and cultural richness of the nation.
Beyond language, music plays a paramount role in preserving a country’s traditions and songs can be incredible time-capsules that preserve a nation’s cultural heritage. The tradition of children in Scottish schools learning Scots songs is longstanding and embedded in Scottish culture, so much so that it is part of the Scottish school curriculum.
To celebrate all things Scots language ahead of Burns Night on 25th January, VisitScotland surveyed more than 1,000 Scottish adults to see exactly what their favourite Scots songs are, their memories of learning Scots songs in school, and whether they enjoyed their time learning Scots language songs as part of their schooling.
Read more...
8 January 2024 (The Herald)
Teaching a modern language in the UK was once described by the eminent languages educator Eric Hawkins as “gardening in a gale”. But as a languages teacher, the well documented decline in pupils learning a language, and the subsequent cuts to languages degrees have made it feel more like a category five hurricane.
Aberdeen University, one of the oldest in the UK, is making major cuts to its languages degree courses, having already proposed abolishing them entirely. This prompted an unprecented intervention from diplomats from four countries, urging the university to reconsider its proposals.
This is happening against falling numbers of pupils taking a language to Higher level. The German Ambassador to the UK recently warned the First Minister Humza Yousaf about the “dramatic” decline in German teaching in Scottish schools, despite Germany being the UK’s second largest trading partner for goods and services.
Widening access to languages education could be worth billions to the UK economy, according to a 2022 report by the University of Cambridge. Moreover, the languages classroom is the place where pupils learn to become global citizens, by understanding other cultures and challenging racism and cultural sterotypes.
So how can we motivate more Scottish young people to discover the joy of learning a language? As a languages teacher, here are the six things we need to change if we are to avert a full blown crisis in languages learning.
Read more...
5 January 2024 (eSgoil)
Looking to broaden your learners' horizons and your school's curricular offer? We are offering a range of language NQs and work-related courses for 2024-25, delivered at no cost via live, online and interactive lessons.
Explore the details in the online brochure.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
Partnership Working,
News from language & education organisations,
Urdu
4 January 2024 (BBC)
Staff at the University of Aberdeen are balloting on potential strike action after the institution decided to cut single degrees in modern languages.
The University and College Union (UCU) said about 30 people were at risk of redundancy due to the changes.
From the next academic year, students will not be able to start single honours degrees in French, German, Spanish or Gaelic.
Those wishing to study them will have to do so as part of a joint degree.
The university court announced the decision in December, based on a recommendation from the senior vice principal, Professor Karl Leydecker.
Its management said low uptake of the courses meant the current model is not sustainable.
Read more...
29 December 2023 (Glasgow Times)
The learning of foreign languages in schools is in "terminal decline" Labour has claimed, after figures revealed a sharp drop in the number of students over the last four years.
Statistics show the number of pupils choosing to learn modern languages between National 4 and Higher level has fallen from 24,510 in 2019 to 23,990 in 2023.
The drop comes despite the overall S4 to S6 school roll rising by more than 10,500 pupils over the same period.
Read more...
21 December 2023 (Scottish Government)
The Scottish Government's Scottish Languages Bill is legislation to advance the status of, and provision for, the Gaelic and Scots languages.
This is a revision to four existing policies (the status of Gaelic & Scots; Gaelic Medium Education; Bòrd na Gàidhlig; the Scots language) and the creation of one new policy (Areas of Linguistic Significance).
Read more...
12 December 2023 (DYW / eSgoil)
To celebrate Languages Week 2024 we’d like to highlight several exciting courses through DYW Live involving languages. We have sessions for Primary, Secondary and a CLPL for Primary Teachers all around the benefits languages can bring to learners and their future pathways.
Visit the webpage for full details.
Read more...
11 December 2023 (BBC)
The first Gaelic Scrabble World Championships have taken place in the Hebrides - and been won with a score of 353.
The Gaelic edition of the popular board game has been launched as part of efforts to promote the language.
Four competitors were brave enough to put their knowledge of Gaelic words to the test in Saturday's contest in Stornoway, Lewis.
Murdo MacDonald, from Back in Lewis, won the first world title.
Read more...
Controversial uni modern languages proposal to be discussed
11 December 2023 (BBC)
Controversial University of Aberdeen proposals which could see its modern languages degrees scrapped are set to be discussed.
The university has blamed a steep fall in the number of students studying modern languages for the move.
More than 12,000 people have signed a petition opposing the proposals, and a protest meeting was held on Monday evening.
The university court will meet later to discuss the future of modern languages provision.
11 December 2023 (Press and Journal)
It was a pleasure recently to visit Cults Academy and talk to S3 pupils about the horizons broadened by language learning.
We were joined by a final-year student from the University of Aberdeen, who enthused them with stories about her placement year in France. As many do, she had found her time abroad transformative.
Being part of daily life and culture in another country is a hothouse for language skills. And living on one’s wits in another language is ideal for building personal confidence and resilience.
With their passion for global languages and cultures, our students are ideal ambassadors. They can inspire the next generation of learners and remind them that all the hard work of “getting the grammar right” is worth the effort, because it unlocks the door to new ways of seeing the world.
In partnership with SCILT, Scotland’s national centre for languages, the University of Aberdeen has developed a new language mentoring scheme that pairs languages students with budding linguists in schools.
Read more...
8 December 2023 (SCILT)
The latest edition of the SCILT newsletter has been published. Read about SCILT's work to support language learning and teaching, including our professional learning opportunities, language promotional activities, and support for language learners at all levels. Find out how schools celebrated European Day of Languages 2023 and read about the latest inspiring initiatives from local authorities. There is also an opportunity to read about the work of our partners to support language learning in Scotland.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize 2024
7 December 2023 (Franco-Scottish Society / Alliance Française)
The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay prize, established to commemorate and celebrate the life of a long-time member of the Franco-Scottish Society, will open in January to students preparing Advanced Higher French in all schools and colleges across Scotland. This competition, run by the Franco-Scottish Society and the Alliance Française in Glasgow, aligns with the writing outcomes of the AH French course. Please note that this competition is not open to native French speakers nor those with a French heritage.
The essay, written in French, should be no longer than 500 words in length and can be discursive or narrative in style. Three prizes will be offered, and the winner of the first prize will also receive a trophy.
Schools and colleges will be asked to register interest for their students at the start of January via the Alliance Française website. Registrations will close on 29 January, when the essay task for the year will also be distributed to registered schools and colleges.
Further information about the background to the competition, including judging guidelines and past essay questions, can be found on the SCILT website.
7 December 2023 (OU / Education Scotland)
We are launching the first ever Scots Language Masters-level teacher CPD programme for in-service teachers teaching at any level in a Scottish school. Hosted by the Open University in Scotland and designed and delivered by the OU in partnership with Education Scotland, this exciting new professional learning opportunity for Scotland’s teachers is now open for registration. There are 25 free places available for this online programme. These places for the first course cohort are funded by the Scottish Government.
The deadline to register and be one of the first 25 teachers to study the course for free is Monday 21st December. Notifications to confirm places will be issued on Tuesday 22nd. For those who either weren’t in the initial 25 for this year, or who already have CPD commitments for this academic year, you will be given priority for cohort 2 which will begin in the 2024-25 academic year.
Visit the course landing page for more information and the online registration form.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Qualifications,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations,
Scots
7 December 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
Supported by FilmHub Scotland, the Goethe-Institut Glasgow is celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Scotland-wide German film festival Fokus.
The announced programme showcases the diversity of voices found in German cinema – past and present. Between 9 January – 31 January 2024, Fokus will celebrate the range of German contemporary filmmaking.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full programme details.
Read more...
7 December 2023 (CISS)
Do you have learners who would like to add another language qualification to their portfolio, but don’t have time or capacity within the department to run this? CISS can help! Our Discovering China Live online classes prepare learners for National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Mandarin qualifications.
You can now register interest to take part in our online National Qualification Mandarin classes with our GTCS Mandarin teachers.
Please see the flyer below for more information, a teacher testimonial, and the link to register your interest. The registration link is also available here:
For full details of the course, please see the CISS website. The 2024-25 handbook will be added shortly.
Read more...
7 December 2023 (Bilingualism Matters / SCILT)
Bilingualism Matters and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages are offering a series of free, online professional learning workshops for teachers in complementary and heritage language schools, based in the UK and beyond.
Workshop 1 - The Bigger Picture: The basics of bilingual language development and the role of teachers, parents and communities. This session is run by Prof Antonella Sorace and Katarzyna Przybycien from Bilingualism Matters and the University of Edinburgh.
Workshop 2 - The Language Learning Buzz: Strategies to engage and motivate learners, both online and in the classroom. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
Workshop 3 - The Supportive Classroom: Strategies to support learning and encourage positive mindsets within a group of mixed ability learners. This session is run by Karen Faulds and Suzanne Ritchie from SCILT.
See the attached flyer for more information. You can book a place at these workshops via the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Bilingual Education,
Bilingualism,
Community Languages,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
4 December 2023 (Press and Journal)
Staff members have reacted with dismay after learning the future of modern languages at Aberdeen University is under threat.
The university is considering the future of modern languages provision, with a steering group outlining three options that have now been put to staff for consultation.
The university cited a “steep fall” in student numbers in modern languages, with high staff numbers relative to student numbers.
This means the department’s “income does not cover even the direct costs of staff”, leading to a projected deficit of £1.64m in 2023/24.
Read more...
4 December 2023 (The Herald)
A Gaelic language immersion year pilot at the University of Glasgow is being made permanent, it was announced today (Monday December 4).
The Gaelic with Immersion Programme has received a long-term funding commitment from the College of Arts & Humanities at the university.
This announcement will establish Gaelic with Immersion as an integral part of the College’s Celtic & Gaelic diverse programme offering.
In 2017, the College commissioned a feasibility study to consider an immersion experience in Glasgow and this revealed a demand for more intensive language opportunities amongst students and adult learners.
Read more...
2 December 2023 (The Herald)
Earlier this month, the German Ambassador raised concerns with the First Minister about the decline in language learning in Scotland. As exclusively revealed by The Herald, Miguel Berger pointed to the “dramatically low” numbers of young people studying German and spoke of his wish to engage with the Scottish Government in order to find ways of reversing the trend.
But how severe has the decline in language learning really been, what is being done to address the issues, and can we ever expect to see student numbers rise again?
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
30 November 2023 (Scottish Legal News)
Proposals to help the Gaelic and Scots languages prosper in the years ahead have been set out in legislation today, as Scotland marks St Andrew’s Day.
One of the proposals in the Scottish Languages Bill is the creation of new Areas of Linguistic Significance, which would give Gaelic communities a greater say in how the language is supported locally.
The bill also provides greater support for Gaelic medium education and strengthens and adjusts the functions of Bòrd na Gàidhlig to help it continue to contribute to the promotion of Gaelic.
It will also establish legislative protection for the Scots language.
Read more...
27 November 2023 (University of Edinburgh)
This specialist pathway is designed for teachers who are currently teaching bilingual or multilingual children in contemporary classrooms.
The University of Edinburgh is the only provider in Scotland of a Postgraduate Diploma in this area. Local authorities in Scotland regard this specialist Postgraduate Diploma as a benchmark for practitioners specialising in working with learners who have English as an Additional Language (EAL).
Visit the university website for more information about the programme and to apply.
Read more...
27 November 2023 (The Herald)
The French, German, Spanish and Italian consulates in Scotland have written to the University of Aberdeen urging the institution not to proceed with proposed cuts to modern language degree courses.
A joint letter was sent ahead of the expected publication of plans this week which will outline the future of language courses at the university.
It is the second time in weeks that figures from European Union countries have intervened in the situation regarding the take up of languages in Scottish education.
Last week The Herald on Sunday revealed that the German Ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger raised his fears with the First Minister at the dramatic drop in pupils learning French and German in schools during a face to face meeting at Bute House at the end of October.
Responding to the article, the Scottish Government underlined its commitment to modern language teaching in schools.
According to a BBC report today it is understood the withdrawal of honours degrees courses at the University of Aberdeen is an option being considered with the university saying it had seen falling demand for language degrees.
Read more...
Related Links
Aberdeen’s language degrees at risk (The PIE News, 27 November 2023)
University of Aberdeen modern languages 'unsustainable in current form' (BBC, 30 November 2023)
The Nine (BBC, 30 November 2023) - hear SCILT Director, Fhiona Mackay's response to the language degree closures at University of Aberdeen, listen from 23:53 (note - only available until 10pm 1/12/23)
Scottish university considers scrapping all language degrees (STV, 1 December 2023)
25 November 2023 (The Courier)
It is the language that Courier columnist and Scots language expert Alistair Heather once described as the “partially submerged language of a partially submerged nation”.
Scots, known as the “mither tongue” is spoken by over 1.5 million people in Scotland, principally in the lowlands and northern isles.
It’s been the language used by government, kings and courts in Scotland, as well as by poets and playwrights like Rabbie Burns and Rona Munro.
Yet in the latter half of the 20th century, Scots began to be seen as vulgar, or common, and has been denigrated as ‘slang’ or ‘ned speak’.
Read more...
20 November 2023 (University Council for Languages)
In the context of threats to Modern Languages degrees at the University of Aberdeen, an online postcard campaign has been launched.
The University of Aberdeen is facing a sudden major financial deficit, in the context of which it has announced that it intends to make ‘drastic changes’ to LLMVC (School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture), with a particular focus on Modern Languages. It has been indicated so far that the University will be committed to languages learning but is not necessarily aspiring to maintaining languages degrees (in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish).
Please support the Postcard Campaign to showcase to Senior Management at the University of Aberdeen all the reasons why an ancient university with an international outlook should keep language degrees.
Visit the University Council for Languages website to see how you can take part and disseminate.
Read more...
20 November 2023 (SQA)
Every year SQA recruits approximately 11,000 teachers and lecturers as markers for the National Qualifications exam diet. Recruitment for the 2024 exams is currently underway, with opportunities available across all subjects and levels including languages.
SQA markers play a key role in supporting the exam diet, ensuring the consistent application of national standards. They gain valuable insight into SQA processes, procedures and national standards for a subject and level. It provides the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge, as well as allowing you to gather evidence for continuing professional development.
You can apply to be a marker if you are currently teaching the subject(s) you wish to mark and have been doing so for a minimum of two years. Full training will be provided.
To find out more about the marker role or apply, please visit the SQA website.
Read more...
Japanese taster sessions for senior phase students
20 November 2023 (University of Glasgow)
Taster sessions in Japanese for senior phase students offered by the MFL unit, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Glasgow.
We are looking for schools which would be interested in our taster sessions in Japanese; we can deliver them on their own premises on Fridays in January and February 2024 (exact dates TBC). Our tutors will deliver one-hour sessions focusing on some basic aspects of the language and on cultural elements such as, for instance, traditional food, manga and anime. Some information about options in terms of learning Japanese at the University of Glasgow will also be provided. Please contact: Emanuela.Ponti@glasgow.ac.uk
19 November 2023 (The Herald)
A senior European diplomat has urged the First Minister to help reverse the trend in the falling number of pupils in Scotland studying German and other languages.
The German Ambassador to the UK Miguel Berger raised his concerns with Humza Yousaf about the matter when he met him at Bute House in Edinburgh.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
Related Links
BBC Scotland Lunchtime Live (BBC, 20 November 2023) - hear SCILT Director, Fhiona Mackay's response on language learning and teaching in Scotland. (Listen from 1:20:54. Available until 17 December 2023).
Certificate of Continued Education (CCEd) in Mandarin
17 November 2023 (SCILT/CISS)
SCILT is currently in the planning stages with the faculty of Humanities and Social Science (HaSS) at the University of Strathclyde and partners in China to develop a Certificate of Continued Education (CCEd) in Mandarin. It is envisaged that the online, live-streamed course will be aimed at GTCS registered teachers of languages who would like to add Mandarin to the repertoire of languages they are qualified to teach. The course will be delivered over three years offering a full 120 credits, plus a summer school in China that will count towards the GTCS residency requirement. We are considering ways to make funding available for teachers in state schools in Scotland to help meet the costs of fees and to contribute to the cost of their salaries once they are fully qualified and teaching the language to National Qualification level. We are hopeful that the first cohort of this new CCEd course will start their studies in September 2024.
If you think this might be of interest to you, in order to help us plan and ascertain the potential appetite for such a scheme, we would be grateful if you could fill out this form or scan the QR code below to register your interest by Friday 1 December 2023.
30 October 2023 (SQA)
Visiting assessment (performance talking) guidance and STL forms have been published on the SQA's Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage. These can be found in the Visiting Examining dropdown section.
Read more...
26 October 2023 (SCILT)
The Scottish Languages Employability Award (SLEA) celebrates schools delivering DYW through languages and school-business partnerships whilst recognising good practice in this area. The award, which is available at bronze, silver and gold levels, supports teachers in raising awareness of the value of language skills in their school community.
The next deadline for submissions is Friday 17 November 2023.
Visit the SLEA webpage for more information.
Read more...
13 October 2023 (TES)
Gillian Campbell-Thow took over as secondary headteacher at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic School) earlier this year.
A languages teacher by background, she tells us about broadening approaches to Gaelic-medium education (GME), the need to stay calm during pupils’ crises and how the culture around teaching has changed during her time in the profession.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
12 October 2023 (RZSS)
RZSS Science in the Language Class - Many free language resources are available on the Science in Language Class website. There are a wide range of resources for Mandarin, Spanish and French along with free outreach sessions. Next year look out for further resources available in German and Gaelic and a new upper primary course for Spanish.
Mandarin course - The Mandarin upper primary course is 3 weeks virtual sessions followed by an expert for the day! (An in-person outreach visit to your school which can include other sessions for additional classes.)
Giants - A free outreach session aimed at upper primary level which can be linked to either Spanish or Mandarin.
Stripy Tails - A free outreach session aimed at upper primary level which can be linked to either French or Mandarin.
Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk for bookings. All are fully booked to December but there are still a few opportunities left from January 2024.
See the Beyond the Panda webpage for details and resources.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations,
Japanese,
Portuguese
11 October 2023 (Press and Journal)
Dingwall Academy is leading the way in addressing an interpreter crisis by producing the next generation of British Sign Language (BSL) experts.
The Highland school has been at the forefront of deaf education for more than 30 years. As well as having additional resources for deaf pupils, the school is specially soundproofed.
And now it’s offering SQA qualifications in BSL up to the equivalent of Higher.
Which is timely, given the Scottish Government has now recognised the “ongoing issues surrounding the shortages” of BSL interpreters.
Read more...
6 October 2023 (SCILT)
The SLEA (Scottish Languages Employability Award) family is expanding! We have now launched the SLEA – Local, which aims to encourage and support the development of partnership activities involving a number of schools within a local area or network. The SLEA – Local recognises and rewards employability-focused partnerships organised at a wider local level by teachers, DYW officers or cluster leads.
For more information and details of how to apply, as well as the chance to read about our very first winners from Ayshire Chamber of Commerce and surrounding schools, visit the SLEA – Local webpage.
To find out more about how this fits in with the SLEA family, see the main SLEA award webpage.
And watch this space for the next family member, coming in 2024; the SLEA – Green!
Read more...
5 October 2023 (eSgoil)
Registration for eSgoil's Study Support programme is now open!
Study Support is for Senior Phase learners who are working towards National Qualifications, with weekly evening webinars during term time covering a wide range of subjects and levels, including Gaelic, French and Spanish.
Visit the eSgoil website for full programme details and to register. Programme commences week beginning 30 October.
Read more...
3 October 2023 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now enrolling for autumn term courses. There are options available for children and adults. Follow the relevant link below for more information and to enrol.
The organisation provides many other opportunities and events to discover French language and culture. Visit their website to find out more.
Read more...
2 October 2023 (eSgoil)
The beginner Japanese course run by University of Edinburgh in conjunction with eSgoil is aimed at pupils S1-S6 who would like an introduction to basic Japanese language and culture. No previous knowledge of Japanese language is required.
The six-part course runs from November to December 2023.
Visit the website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
28 September 2023 (SCILT)
Schools in Scotland wishing to take part in this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition have until National Poetry Day on 5 October to register!
Visit our website to learn more about the competition and discover poetry resources to help you celebrate National Poetry Day in class as well as prepare for the MTOT competition.
It's the 10th anniversary year of MTOT in Scotland, so join in the celebration - visit our website and register your school now!
Read more...
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SCILT news
Invite a team of Strathclyde Language Ambassadors to your school!
28 September 2023 (University of Strathclyde)
At the University of Strathclyde, beyond supporting the Language Ambassadors Online and the Language Explorers Programme, we are still offering on-site visits in 2023-24.
So, get your learners to discover the joys of discovering a new culture and learning and being able to use another language by organising a visit from one of our Language Ambassadors teams to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish, on various degrees, including BA Honours in French and Spanish, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language but also Engineering and Science degrees and they are keen to share their experiences of learning and using their languages as well as discovering new cultures.
This programme is free of charge and provides student role models to promote languages to young people in your school. We aim to encourage your learners to engage with young adults who have decided to study languages at university and to have a positive impact on the number of learners who choose languages as part of their high school curriculum.
We can deliver a range of activities, such as:
- A presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
Want to book a visit from a Language Ambassadors team in 2023-24? Simply contact Cédric Moreau now!
Posted in:
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News from language & education organisations
28 September 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s Language Ambassadors Programme has relaunched as a fully online offer available to all schools across the country. Our interactive monthly online sessions are led by student Language Ambassadors from universities across Scotland who are keen to share their experiences of learning languages and discovering new cultures.
Visit our Language Ambassadors Programme webpage to find out more about the programme and to register to bring your class(es) along to any/all of the sessions listed!
Read more...
Virtual Spanish and Latin American Film Festival - University of Stirling / Pragda
21 September 2023 (University of Stirling)
Spanish and Latin American Studies at the University of Stirling are hosting a Spanish and Latin American Film Festival as part of the Spanish Film Club series, made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN Arts & Culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
This term, we are screening two films:
Carajita available Friday 6th to Friday 13th October 2023
Niñas araña available Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th November 2023
If you would like your learners to access one or both of these virtual film screenings, please register via this form to receive the sign-in information for the screening room and the associated discussion guides.
If you have any questions or would like further information about this initiative, please contact Fiona Noble (fiona.noble@stir.ac.uk).
15 September 2023 (Maths Week Scotland)
Inspired by the annual Mathématiques sans Frontières contest, this mini-competition includes a language element and is for any class to complete together.
The Maths wi nae borders challenge launches on 18 September 2023. Entries should be submitted by 23 October.
Visit the Maths Week Scotland website for more information.
Read more...
12 September 2023 (The Scotsman)
Scotland’s endangered Celtic tongue has struggled against critics discounting its worth time and again. So, we took the national debate to our Scotsman readers who confirm that Gaelic is worth learning and here’s why.
Read more...
12 September 2023 (SCILT)
We are delighted to be back again this year working together with e-Sgoil and DYW Live to deliver the Languages and Your Career webinar. In this session we will explore how languages can contribute to success in a wide range of jobs and career paths. This webinar aims to introduce secondary learners to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work. It will be an interactive session with input from people who use languages in their work.
The workshop will repeated each month on different days and times from September until January. The dates on offer are:
Tuesday 26th September: 2.00 – 3.00pm
Wednesday 25th October: 9.30 – 10.30am
Thursday 23rd November: 11.00am – 12.00pm
Monday 18th December: 9.30 – 10.30am
Tuesday 30th January: 2.00 – 3.00pm
All sessions will take place in Glow Teams.
This year, additional materials will be made available to teachers who attend the workshop with their classes to support further promotion of employability with individual languages. Watch this space!
For more information and registration details, visit the e-Sgoil website.
Read more...
Related Links
DYWLive workshops for primary learners - Make languages work for you
9 September 2023 (The Herald)
Ministers are facing a demand from the SNP grassroots to improve language teaching provision in Scottish schools after falling Higher entries for French and German.
A motion on the draft agenda to the party's conference raises concerns over the teaching in European languages for senior pupils at secondary school.
It underlines the importance of language learning as a life skill "particularly if we are striving for membership of the EU post-independence" and calls for native speakers to be recruited as language assistants to help secondary school students gain qualifications.
A total of 4,239 pupils sat French Higher in 2013 with the number falling to 2280 this year, according to the Scottish Qualifications Authority's statistics. In 2013 a total of 1051 entered German Higher compared to 520 this year.
The figures also showed an increasing trend towards pupils taking Spanish, with 1,645 Higher entries in the subject in 2013 rising to 2605 this year (overtaking French).
However, Scotland is considerably lagging behind the Republic of Ireland which has made language teaching a central part of its successful economic strategy with GDP growing by 12% in 2022, compared to 4% for the UK's.
(Note, subscription may be required to access full article)
Read more...
5 September 2023 (University of Glasgow)
This recently published article discusses the outcomes of the Welcoming Languages project, collaboratively run by the University of Glasgow and the Arabic Center of the Islamic University of Gaza (Palestine). The project taught Arabic as a ‘refugee language’ to primary school staff so they could welcome Arabic speaking children and families.
The article can now be read open access on the publisher's website.
Read more...
4 September 2023 (The Scotsman)
English has been Scotland’s main language since the 18th century, prior to that many people spoke ‘Scottish’ whether that was Scots or Gaelic [..] here is an overview of Scots and Scottish Gaelic that explains their differences, the heritage that underpins them and which is considered Scotland’s oldest living language.
Read more...
4 September 2023 (SQA)
Updates have been added to the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
New specimen question papers can be found in the Past Papers and Marking Instructions section and an assessment resources summary in the Course Support section.
Read more...
SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages: new resources to support with performance-talking
1 September 2023 (SQA)
From session 2023-24, the Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance-talking coursework task returns to its usual format, with a duration of approximately 20 minutes. The requirement to discuss aspects of the portfolio has also been reinstated.
We have created two new SQA Academy courses to help you with this coursework task. An updated performance-talking audio presentation is also available from our Understanding Standards website.
SQA Academy course – Performance-talking
This course provides an overview of what the Advanced Higher performance-talking assessment involves – including its purpose, structure, preparation for the assessment, the Subject Topic List (STL) form and how performance-talking is assessed.
SQA Academy course – A day in the life of a visiting assessor
This second course outlines the role of the Modern Languages performance-talking visiting assessor and describes what happens before, during and after the assessment of performance-talking. You may find it useful to share this course with your learners.
Access the courses from the SQA Academy website
SQA Understanding Standards – updated audio presentation
An updated audio presentation on the Advanced Higher performance-talking for session 2023-24 is also available from the Modern Languages pages of the Understanding Standards website (select the language, then ‘presentations’ from the page menu).
View the performance-talking audio presentation.
Posted in:
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German,
Italian,
Spanish,
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News from language & education organisations,
SQA
31 August 2023 (SCILT)
Are you a Secondary PGDE student, NQT or ECT of Languages? Would you like the chance to network informally with others in the same boat across the country to share ideas and strategies, and even to chat in other languages from time to time? Then come along to our new monthly drop-in sessions! These will take place online on the last Thursday of each month, starting in September.
Dates are as follows:
- Thursday 28 September 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 26 October 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 30 November 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 25 January 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 29 February 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 28 March 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 25 April 4.30 – 5.30pm
- Thursday 30 May 4.30 – 5.30pm
These sessions will take place on Corporate Teams. Visit our Eventbrite page to book; see you there!
Read more...
Language Ambassadors Programme - European Day of Languages launch
31 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s Language Ambassadors Programme is relaunching this year! We will be offering interactive monthly online sessions led by student Language Ambassadors from universities across Scotland. These sessions are designed to promote languages to young people and to encourage learners to choose languages as part of their learning experience by hearing directly from near-peer role models. Our Language Ambassadors are students of various languages on a range of degree programmes who are keen to share their experiences of learning languages and discovering new cultures.
The first session will take place on European Day of Languages itself, Tuesday 26 September 11.00 – 11.45. The session will take place on Microsoft Teams. For more information and to book to bring your class(es) along, visit our Eventbrite booking page.
Please note: Some universities will also able to offer in-person Language Ambassador visits to individual schools throughout the year. These allow the opportunity for language students to deliver presentations, participate in discussions and support events in schools. These are arranged directly between schools and universities. A list of university contacts is coming soon to our website – watch this space!
31 August 2023 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK Learning Programme is once again delighted to bring French-speaking cinema free of charge to schools this November and December! All the films in the selection are in French with English subtitles.
Each of the four films will be accompanied by new learning packs in French and English.
Download the programme and start planning your screenings now!
FFF 2023 In-School Learning Programme
Student Film Review Awards
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland will once again award prizes for the best film reviews submitted by students in Scotland.
The Learning Programme is grateful for the generous support of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, TotalEnergies, the Institut français worldwide network, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, and SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).
More information about the Festival can be found on the French Film Festival website.
Read more...
29 August 2023 (University of Edinburgh)
Languages for All, at the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Open Learning (COL), will launch two new Short Courses in General English and Ukrainian this October. These courses will complement the existing range of Short Courses in languages including Arabic, British Sign Language, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Turkish.
Languages for All have also expanded the University-Wide Language Programme for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students at the University of Edinburgh, offering credit courses in British Sign Language, Gaelic, Swahili and Ukrainian.
Visit our new Languages for All website to view our full offering.
Read more...
29 August 2023 (Institut français)
Le Concours de la Francophonie 2024 is now open!
The national school competition's aim is to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to enjoy the French language. It has always been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie. In 2023, over 500 pupils from 25 schools all over Scotland took part in the competition.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
The theme of the competition this year is: “Paris Olympic Games 2024: Ouvrons grand les jeux!”
Visit the Institut français website for full details and entry criteria. Submission deadline is 31 January 2024.
Read more...
22 August 2023 (SEET)
Registration for the SEET’s Our World project 2023-24 is now open and totally free to enter! Just fill in this quick form to sign up your school: https://ourworldproject.wufoo.com/forms/z1fa1wdl0fdqs2a/
Our World is a language learning and global citizenship-based filmmaking project for S1 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Teams of 4 (S1 - S6) design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films must include the use of a language other than English and should touch on the theme of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each team must choose at least one of the 17 SDGs to focus their film on.
SEET supports teachers and pupils throughout the whole process, starting with our introductory CLPL session for teachers on Tuesday 12 September 2023.
Visit the SEET website for more information and register to take part.
Read more...
18 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce that MTOT is back for 2024, and it’s an extra special year - MTOT celebrates its 10th anniversary!
Over the last decade the competition has evolved from written poems in the beginning, to now focussing on the spoken word. Hearing pupils share their voices and language skills helps bring their poetry to life, and we look forward to seeing what creative brilliance emerges from Scotland’s schools this year. In this 10th anniversary year, we are delighted and very excited to work with our partners at Instituto Cervantes to offer a special prize category for entries in Spanish, one of the most widely taught languages in Scotland’s schools.
So, if you have entered MTOT before, we’d love to welcome you back. If you are new to MTOT, what better year to join than our 10th anniversary year? Our multilingual poetry competition is now open. Visit our MTOT page on the SCILT website for more information and register your school now.
MTOT is 10 years old – come join the celebration!
Read more...
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SCILT news
Workshops for student and early career teachers
18 August 2023 (SCILT)
NEW for 2023-24! Building on our track record of supporting student teachers and early career teachers, this year we have launched a specific menu of workshops tailored to the needs of student teachers and early career teachers in primary and secondary sectors. Importantly, the development of this menu was informed by student teachers, probationer mentors and teacher educators.
Are you a probationer/ECT support manager or professional learning officer for your local authority?
Are you a programme lead or module lead on an undergraduate or postgraduate ITE programme for primary or secondary teaching at a Scottish university?
Yes? Then workshops from the brand new SCILT ECT Professional Learning menu 2023-24 could complement the content of your existing modules or professional learning programme for the newest entrants to our profession.
Interactive, up-to-date and relevant, these SCILT workshops give student teachers and early career teachers the opportunity to explore aspects of practice with their peers. Online or in person. No charge.
In terms of content, secondary workshops focus on developing practice to support skills development, classroom management and support for application and interview for languages posts. Meanwhile, primary workshops focus on introductory approaches and interdisciplinary contexts for teaching languages eg digital, outdoor, DYW and intercultural understanding.
See the full menu and the booking request form.
Remember, if there is anything particular that your student or early career teachers need, we are always happy to develop bespoke inputs too. Email scilt@strath.ac.uk with any queries.
PS - Also coming soon, sector specific professional learning for student and early career teachers available to book by individuals. Schedules for our new language cafés, themed asynchronous and drop-in style get togethers will also be published very soon.
17 August 2023 (SCILT)
SCILT’s brand new CLPL workshop menu for 2023-24 is available for your booking requests.
Are you responsible for sourcing high quality professional learning related to languages pedagogy for groups of colleagues in your setting, cluster, local authority or RIC?
You will be interested in our new professional learning offer for all sectors.
The content of the eleven workshops is informed by feedback from teachers and practitioners on their professional learning needs. If your needs are different, we are more than happy to develop the bespoke inputs you and your colleagues require. Just ask.
Always interactive and up-to-date, SCILT workshops provide the opportunity for you and your colleagues to explore aspects of practice with our experienced Professional Development Officers. Our team has a finite capacity, so get in your request as soon as you can.
The focus of workshops for 2023-24 are wide ranging, covering the following issues:
Cross Sector
- Primary-Secondary Transition
Primary and Early Years
- Families on board? Developing a family friendly approach to languages in your setting
- Getting outdoors with languages and learning
- Celebrating cultural diversity through languages in EY and primary
- An introduction to multilingual approaches to primary pedagogy
- Languages in primary: assessing pupils’ learning, evaluating teaching
Secondary
- Policy, planning and practice in BGE (in partnership with Education Scotland)
- Emerging contexts for language learning
- Talking and listening
- Using language skills across the curriculum
- Social-Emotional Learning for languages
For more details, and to make a request for a group visit our Professional Learning webpage.
Note that open access online workshops will also be scheduled across the year. Registration for these will be open to individuals and details will be shared in the SCILT ebulletin in due course.
Read more...
15 August 2023 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now taking enrolments for French courses commencing in September 2023.
Visit the website for further information and to enrol. If you're unsure of your level you can also take a free online test to assess which class would be most suitable or you can head along to the Open Day on Saturday 2 September from 10:00am until 1:30pm.
Read more...
10 August 2023 (TES)
New Scottish national data shows a drop in uptake of languages at Higher since 2019, the last year before the Covid pandemic.
The decrease in French entries is particularly steep and, after many years as the most popular language in Scottish schools, uptake is now lower than for Spanish.
However, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (widely known as SCILT) says there is better news in National 5 figures, which suggest there may be the beginnings of a comeback from the Covid years.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
Related Links
Exams 2023: Tackling the decline in languages in state schools (TES, 8 August 2023) - Note, subscription required to access full article
A-Level and other level 3 results 2023: The main trends in grades and entries (FFT Education Data Lab, 17 August 2023) - Subjects with the largest fall in entries are Spanish, French and German.
A-Levels 2023: 10 key trends for teachers to know about (TES, 17 August 2023) - Languages in decline.
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Urdu
Goethe-Institut: German for schools
8 August 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow are offering the following opportunities for schools in the 2023-24 academic session. Follow the relevant link to find out more:
- German days for pupils - visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow with your school class. Your pupils will learn firsthand about German language and culture. We offer various activities designed to show that learning German can be fun and is relevant.
- German Language Adventure - this fast-paced motivational game aims to spark interest in German culture and language and can be played by up to 100 pupils (P7-S2 level). Can be offered at school or at the Goethe-Institut.
5 August 2023 (The Herald)
The University of Edinburgh is to create a new undergraduate degree in Primary Education with British Sign Language (BSL) to help tackle a decline in the number of qualified teachers of deaf children.
Research for/by the National Deaf Children’s Society shows that the number of Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) in Scotland has decreased by 40% in the past decade, with 45% of remaining teachers expected to retire over the next 10 years. In addition, statistics from the Consortium for Research Into Deaf Education found that almost 40% of councils in Scotland did not involve a ToD in the three statutory early years checks. These are regular reviews that assess young children on their development in numerous areas, such as, their hearing, which is where the expertise of a ToD would be crucial for a Deaf child.
Alison Hendry, the former BSL Development Officer at the University of Edinburgh praised the announcement of the new degree. She said: “I think it is a really positive development because by having the degree, it will allow Deaf people to become Teachers of the Deaf and provide positive role models for young Deaf people coming through the system.”
Read more...
20 July 2023 (The Scotsman)
Spoken only by a small percentage of Scots today, Gaelic was once Scotland’s main language which is why it is intrinsically linked to the Scottish landscape where we see Gaelic place names that connect us to our heritage.
Here is an essential guide for beginners to get you acquainted with Scotland’s most-used Gaelic vocabulary and test your knowledge at the end with the wee quiz!
Read more...
18 July 2023 (The National)
Nominations have opened for the 2023 Scots Language Awards, giving the public a chance to commend their personal Scots language heroes.
The awards ceremony will take place at Johnstone Town Hall, in partnership with Paisley.is, on Saturday, September 16, showcasing the best of Scots language and culture.
[..] The awards, which began in 2019, celebrate the importance of Scots language within arts and culture but also in daily life, education, and business. Nominations will close on Sunday 30 July.
Read more...
17 July 2023 (The Herald)
Rural schools are being disproportionately affected by falling numbers of language teachers.
According to the recent Scottish Teacher census, there have been huge drops in the number of English, French, German and Italian teachers since 2010.
Analysis by the Scottish Conservatives found that rural schools account for 58.9% of all losses.
The learning of at least one language is compulsory until the third year of secondary school, and there is growing evidence that they boost brain power and improve performance in other academic areas.
Nationally, English teacher numbers have declined by 141, from 2,788 in 2010 to 2,647, with rural schools losing 153.
In French, 319 teachers were lost, declining from 947 to 628, and 135 affecting local authorities in remote areas.
German teachers declined by 83, from 166 in 2010, across Scotland, 34 of which came from rural schools.
Meanwhile, Italian teachers declined from 10 in 2010 to seven in 2022. There are currently no rural schools with an Italian teacher.
Read more...
10 July 2023 (Daily Record)
Calderside Academy in Blantyre will pilot British Sign Language as a language option this August when the schools return from their summer break.
Read more...
6 July 2023 (Clydebank Post)
A Clydebank school was said to have 'impressed judges' on their way to picking up a top educational award for languages.
Pupils across three age groups at St Peter the Apostle High School were praised for their 'passion' for languages such as Gaelic and Spanish as they landed the Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT - Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award from SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools.
The recognition award - launched in 2019 - was developed by SCILT as a way of delivering DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) through languages, encouraging school-business partnerships and recognising good practice in this area.
Read more...
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Languages in the press
30 June 2023 (The Scotsman)
While the origins of Gaelic are rooted in the Highlands and Islands, the language forms a major part of Scottish heritage and has found its place even in lowland areas like Edinburgh.
[..] Here are 13 place names connected to Scottish Gaelic according to Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland.
Read more...
21 June 2023 (Glasgow Times)
A Glasgow secondary school where 35 different languages are spoken by pupils and their families held a successful pilot for a new Saturday morning club.
Rosshall Academy on the Southside of the city offered parents an ESOL (English as a Second or Other Language) workshop as part of Refugee Festival Scotland Week.
Read more...
16 June 2023 (SCILT)
Finalists' work from this year's MTOT competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
As part of our Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry competition, SCILT received several entries from young Ukrainian refugees displaced by the war in Ukraine. We wanted the world to be able to access these wonderfully creative and emotive pieces of writing. Our Voices of Hope online exhibition, in partnership with AUGB, will be launched on 21 June as part of Refugee Week Scotland 2023 and will be available on SCILT's website following the launch event.
Read more...
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Refugees
Coming soon! CCEd in French @ University of Strathclyde
16 June 2023 (University of Strathclyde)
Are you interested in upskilling your French to GTCS-accredited standard? Then this could be the course for you! The University of Strathclyde currently offers a three-year Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) qualification in Italian and in Spanish and plans to offer it in French from session 2023-24.
The CCEd is an intensive beginners’ class that will bring you up to first-year university standard in a year, with the option of continuing your studies into second year and up to university pass degree level within three years.
Classes will be in person on campus in Glasgow during term time on Tuesday evenings.
Further information and application details will be advertised soon via the SCILT bulletin/website and the University of Strathclyde website and communication channels.
For more information and to register your interest, the course contact is Joan-Emilie Lefever-Rhodes (joan.lefever@strath.ac.uk).
Scotland China Education Network - Administrative and Communications Officer
15 June 2023 (SCEN)
The Scotland China Education Network (SCEN) is seeking a part-time Administrative and Communications Officer to provide general administrative support for the Chair of SCEN, the Trustees as required, and in co-ordinating the work and various meetings of SCEN. They will also be responsible for the management and upkeep of the SCEN website, e-newsletters, and its social media accounts.
Full details can be found in the attached job advert and job description below.
CVs and Cover Letters are to be submitted to SCEN@ct.me by Monday 3 July at 4pm.
Calling teachers of Italian in Scotland!
15 June 2023 (SCILT)
Dr Paul Hare, Professional Development Officer at SCILT and Senior Teaching Fellow in Italian at the University of Strathclyde, is in the early stages of designing a project to bring together teachers of Italian in Scotland - practising, dormant and newly qualified. The vision is to create a community, to make teachers of Italian feel more connected, and to facilitate the sharing of ideas and resources, which will hopefully, in turn, enable Italian to grow in Scottish schools. If you are a teacher of Italian in a school in Scotland (either currently teaching it or keen to introduce it) and interested in receiving more information in the months ahead, please send Paul an email (paul.hare@strath.ac.uk) and he’ll add you to the database.
Online team-teaching model - A sustainable approach to support language delivery in the primary
13 June 2023 (South West EIC / Northern Alliance)
This pilot delivered French, Spanish and Gaelic live lessons using Microsoft Teams in Glow and was offered to schools across Scotland between January and May 2023.
You can now find out about the far-reaching impact of this initiative by reading the case study attached below.
13 June 2023 (CISS)
The latest edition of the CISS newsletter has been published. Read about the many activities and initiatives going on across the Confucius Classroom Hub Network and CISS’s work to support the learning and teaching of Mandarin, including competitions, online learning and events.
Read more...
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CISS news
Scottish Education Awards 2023 - Gaelic Education
8 June 2023 (Scottish Education Awards)
Congratulations to James Gillespie's High School, winners of the Gaelic Education Award at this year's Scottish Education Awards held on 7 June.
Well done too to Goodlyburn Primary and Dunoon Grammar for making the final shortlist.
6 June 2023 (ESFF)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival will celebrate ten years of Spanish cinema in schools this October.
During the week 2 - 6 October, classrooms across the UK can have online access to three films:
- Los Futbolísimos (The Footballest)
- Rara (Weird)
- CartasVivas (Living Letters) *For S5-S6 only*
Each film will be accompanied by worksheets so that the students can delve deeper into the themes discussed, once the film has been watched.
Visit the ESFF website to book tickets and receive the access code.
Read more...
Summer classes and workshops at Alliance Française Glasgow
6 June 2023 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now enrolling for adult classes and workshops for both adults and children taking place this summer.
Follow the relevant link below for more information and to enrol:
- Summer adult classes - classes for complete beginner to advanced, commencing 19 June 2023.
- Summer workshops - topic-based workshops for adults to improve their French; fun workshops for primary aged children.
6 June 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
5 June 2023 (The Scotsman)
Wales has 900,600 speakers of Welsh (impressive for a nation of around three million) but of Scotland’s five and a half million roughly 60,000 alone speak Gaelic - how did this happen?
According to data published by the Welsh Government in last year’s Annual Population Survey, an estimated 29.5% of their population was able to speak Welsh i.e., 900,600. Impressively, of our Celtic heritage languages in Britain, Welsh is the only one that is not considered endangered by UNESCO.
For others like Scottish Gaelic and Irish, the census data instils less confidence. Gaelic inclusion has been fostered by the likes of Outlander and Duolingo, yet at most only 87,000 Scots have some ability in the language.
Read more...
Espacios Increíbles 2022-23 - Winner announced!
5 June 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations to St Luke’s High School, East Renfrewshire, on winning SCILT's Espacios Increíbles competition 2022-23.
The winner was announced at the final, held online on Wednesday 24 May 2023. A superb effort was made by all six finalist schools (Alva Academy, Dunblane High, Perth Academy, Prestwick Academy, St Andrew’s & St Bride’s High School as well as St Luke’s High School); competition was stiff and the judging panel had a very difficult decision to make.
The interdisciplinary competition for S2-S3 combines Spanish with art, design and technology. Pupils design an amazing space and present their work in Spanish.
St Luke’s High School came out top with their innovative design for a space for quiet reflection and relaxation in the courtyard of Santo Domingo Church in Lima, Peru. Their design was inspired by San Martín de Porres, who is the Patron Saint of Racial Equality, and is buried there.
They clearly demonstrated how they had worked collaboratively, drawing on art, design and Spanish skills to create a feasible and sustainable design which connected well to the local environment and linked to their school.
The other five finalist schools also did an amazing job, with a variety of creative designs meeting the brief for a sustainable space for health and wellbeing including a water tower providing clean drinking water, a library and coffee shop, a hot air balloon raising awareness of climate change, a cube promoting biodiversity and a health centre for the poor.
All the finalists enjoyed the final and the opportunity to present their designs to a live audience, hear from inspiring guest speakers who spoke about their work in architecture and the opportunities that learning Spanish had given them, and take part in some fun games that tested their Spanish. Congratulations to all our teams for Espacios Increíbles 2023!
2 June 2023 (SCILT)
Félicitations to Mearns Castle High, winners of this year’s edition of Le Foot et la Francophonie!
Following the pilot last year, Le Foot was rolled out nationally in 2022-23, engaging over forty schools, from Shetland to Stranraer, and attracting video entries from twenty-four teams across ten schools. Following a shortlisting process conducted by a panel at SCILT, the finalists invited to take part in the live event at the University of Strathclyde on Thursday 1 June came from Biggar High (two teams), Kinross High, Prestwick Academy, Kilmarnock Academy and Mearns Castle High.
As was the case during the pilot edition, Le Foot, an interdisciplinary project incorporating benchmarks, experiences and outcomes in Modern Languages, Physical Education and Health and Wellbeing, generated huge enthusiasm in the schools which integrated the project into their S2 and S3 programmes. Again, participation fired the creative imagination of the learners, some of whom had previously shown limited interest in French, while their teachers built on the legacy of the pilot project by creating and sharing a wealth of new resources covering the four key skills of reading, listening, talking and writing, focussing on the Francophone world and including strong anti-racism messages. The pupils who took part, numbering well over one thousand, were encouraged to consider the vital importance of additional languages to a broad range of careers associated with professional sports.
The six teams of pupils were joined at the final by their teachers and classmates who came along to support them. On the panel of judges were Cédric Moreau (Subject Leader for French, University of Strathclyde), Lisa Hanna (Depute Director of SCILT), Kandi Higgins (Course Leader for PGDE in Modern Languages, University of Strathclyde), Cara Lamb (Course Leader for PGDE in Physical Education, University of Strathclyde) and Mark Cunningham (graduate in Spanish and Education, and qualified football coach). After presenting their football-themed videos in French, the teams performed football drills, which included commands in French, and all pupils present were put through their paces in a range of drills designed and delivered by newly qualified PE teachers from the University’s School of Education. Those in attendance then heard a video message from former Scotland footballer John Collins, who learned French during his two-year spell at AS Monaco, before some closing remarks from Fhiona Mackay (Director of SCILT). The all important winner’s announcement saw Mearns Castle claim the trophy, together with a visit to Hampden Park, where the winning team will be given a French-focussed tour of the stadium and the Scottish Football Museum.
For more information on Le Foot et la Francophonie, including a range of football-themed resources for second and third level BGE French, see the page dedicated to the project on the SCILT website.
Read more...
Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize 2023 - Winners announced!
1 June 2023 (SCILT)
The final of this year’s Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize took place on Tuesday 30 May. This prize, run in partnership between the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT, was established in 2021 in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
The awards ceremony was held on Zoom with opening remarks and announcement of the winner by Lord Brodie, President of the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland. Mme Laurence Païs, Consule Générale de France and Directrice de l’Institut Français d’Écosse.
First place and runners-up spots were closely contested, with the awards ultimately going to the following:
First place
- Lola Guatelli (Robert Gordon’s College)
Runners-up
- Toby Reid (Harlaw Academy)
- Renata Csapai (St Margaret’s Academy)
Highly commended for reaching the final six were also:
- Dishan Aloysius (Holyrood Secondary School)
- Maya McGowan (Bearsden Academy)
- Ailie Wright (Inverkeithing High School)
Congratulations go to these finalists and to all those who took part in this competition! The standard of French was very high indeed and judging decisions came down to the finest of margins.
The 2023 awards ceremony will shortly be published on both the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland and SCILT websites.
31 May 2023 (e-Sgoil)
E-Sgoil offers Gaelic courses designed by award-winning staff, with the language coming alive through regular, interactive, online lessons, and quality digital support materials.
The National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses are designed to help develop skills and knowledge rapidly, getting even those learners with no Gaelic at the start of the course to a level of confidence and fluency quickly.
Visit the website for more information and to register interest for the 2023-24 session.
Read more...
19 May 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
19 May 2023 (Scots Language Centre)
Scottish Book Trust, together with Hands Up for Trad, Scots Hoose, Education Scotland and Scottish Government, are running a competition to find Scotland’s ‘Young Scots writer of the Year’.
The competition is open to 11-18 year-olds, and entries should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 21 June 2023.
Visit the Scots Language Centre website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
19 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations again to everyone who took part in our recent Words for the World competition.
Following the awards ceremony on 25 April, and the announcement of the winners’ names, we are now delighted to be able to publish the winning, highly commended and other finalist entries in each category. We are sure that you will be impressed by the fantastic linguistic diversity, creativity and passion that all the finalists show. Well done everyone!
At the awards ceremony we were delighted to be able to share a personal video message from Len Pennie, the well-known Scottish poet and Scots language and mental health advocate, which spoke of the huge difference that all of our words can make; watch her video and be inspired!
Read more...
16 May 2023 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow are offering dates for school visits from June 2023.
Provide your students with a direct and personal look into the German language and culture. Depending on the age group and language level of your students, you can choose a programme from a range of activities for your trip to the Goethe-Institut Glasgow.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for more information and to register your school group.
Read more...
10 May 2023 (TES)
Few would contest that the ability to communicate in more than one language is a very good thing. Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT), driven by this belief, supports languages wherever they are spoken, used and learned across the country, because there is growing evidence that they boost brain power, improve memory, enhance multi-tasking ability and improve performance in other academic areas.
It is therefore troubling to see a growing trend in recent years for learners in secondary schools to drop languages in favour of other subjects as they progress into later years of study.
For several years, young people in Wales have benefited from a mentoring scheme led by colleagues at the University of Cardiff, which appears to be winning hearts and minds. So, when we heard that the Northern Alliance, the University of Aberdeen and the Open University were planning a similar collaboration, we at SCILT felt compelled to get involved so that similar opportunities could be offered to young people in Scotland. From these initial discussions, Scotland’s Language Explorer Programme was born.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
10 May 2023 (TES)
Few would contest that the ability to communicate in more than one language is a very good thing. Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT), driven by this belief, supports languages wherever they are spoken, used and learned across the country, because there is growing evidence that they boost brain power, improve memory, enhance multi-tasking ability and improve performance in other academic areas.
It is therefore troubling to see a growing trend in recent years for learners in secondary schools to drop languages in favour of other subjects as they progress into later years of study.
For several years, young people in Wales have benefited from a mentoring scheme led by colleagues at the University of Cardiff, which appears to be winning hearts and minds. So, when we heard that the Northern Alliance, the University of Aberdeen and the Open University were planning a similar collaboration, we at SCILT felt compelled to get involved so that similar opportunities could be offered to young people in Scotland. From these initial discussions, Scotland’s Language Explorer Programme was born.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
Read more...
5 May 2023 (The Scotsman)
While the origins of Gaelic are rooted in the Highlands and Islands, the language forms a major part of Scottish heritage and has found its place even in lowland areas like Edinburgh.
Well over a decade ago, the Scottish Census revealed that Edinburgh held 5,935 people who were ‘skilled’ in Gaelic. The Scottish capital is internationally renowned as a cultural hub with fascinating history (and even a UNESCO World Heritage site) so it’s unsurprising that the heritage language found its place there.
Read more...
A Global Citizenship Approach to French - Free new materials for French learners!!
4 May 2023 (Scotdec / University of Stirling / SCILT)
‘Remembering Empire’ is an interdisciplinary learning programme for pupils of French in S3 and AH, developed by Dr Fiona Barclay (University of Stirling) with the support of the AHRC to build language competence and global citizenship values by exploring France’s empire in Algeria. You can read more about the project and materials on SCILT's website.
Join Scotdec for a series of workshops for BGE and AH French teachers alongside Dr Barclay introducing you to the materials, and providing guidance on discussing themes of colonisation, immigration and refugees within the context of a Global Citizenship approach. More information, dates and sign-up information on the flyer attached below.
In addition, SCILT and Scotdec are joining forces to present a webinar on Active Global Citizenship Through Modern Languages on Thursday 1 June, 4-5pm. As well as general strategies, this webinar will also introduce the Remembering Empire project materials. Register for the free event!
4 May 2023 (SCILT)
Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year’s Words for the World competition.
We had a very high standard of entries submitted in a range of formats and different languages. Our young people here in Scotland demonstrated a wealth of linguistic diversity, creativity and immense passion for protecting our planet, our humanity and creating a brighter future for us all. We were truly humbled and inspired by their work and they should all be incredibly proud of their achievements.
Judging proved exceptionally difficult, but we were delighted to announce the winning entries at an online awards event held last week to celebrate Earth Day. Well done again to the following who were successful in their respective categories and thank you to every pupil who participated in the competition.
P1-P4
- Winner – Libby Gow, Goodlyburn Primary
- Highly commended – Jamie Rettie, Goodlyburn Primary
P5-P7
- Winner – Sophia Chan, ESMS Junior School
- Highly commended – Halima Jemal, Toryglen Primary
- Highly commended – Leena Valluri, Goodlyburn Primary
S1-S3
- Winner - Deepak Krisna Kumaar, Craigmount High
- Highly commended – 1W & 1Q class entry, Holy Rood RC High
- Highly commended – Rory Turner, Portree High
S4-S6
- Winner - Dianna-Liza Boychuk, Craigmount High
- Highly commended - Wessam Kawarit, Craigmount High
Winners and highly commended entrants will receive a book token and certificate and have their work showcased on the SCILT website in due course, whilst all participants will receive a certificate in recognition of their hard work.
You can find out more about the competition on our Words for the World webpage.
Read more...
4 May 2023 (Dundee Courier)
When Caitlin Anderson, 14, was asked to look after a Ukrainian refugee joining her school it was the start of a special friendship.
As Caitlin helped Veronika Raziievska, also 14, improve her English and settle into her new surroundings, she decided she should make the effort to learn her language.
And as well as making Veronika’s new life at Monifieth High School a little easier, that resulted in Caitlin winning a national competition for a poem she subsequently wrote in Ukrainian.
When she entered the Mother Tongue Other Tongue contest, Caitlin told Veronika’s story to raise awareness of what she and other refugees had endured as a result of the war in Ukraine.
We met the S2 pupils to hear about their friendship and how that resulted in Caitlin’s award-winning poem.
Read more...
2 May 2023 (RZSS)
RZSS Beyond the Panda
Although the giant pandas are returning to China at the end of this year, Beyond the Panda is still continuing.
The new Mandarin upper primary course is 3 weeks virtual sessions followed by an expert for the day! (An in-person outreach visit to your school which can include other sessions for additional classes).
RZSS Science in the Language Class
Choose from one of the outreach sessions linked to Mandarin, Spanish or French. Resources also available in other languages.
All resources, courses and outreach are free of charge.
Visit the Beyond the Panda website for details.
Read more...
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News from language & education organisations,
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Language courses for pupils at Edinburgh College
27 April 2023 (Edinburgh College)
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College.
The college offers National 5 courses in French, German and Spanish as well as Higher and Advanced Higher French, German, Italian and Spanish.
See the attached flyer for details.
24 April 2023 (SCQF)
As part of our continuous review of the SCQF School Ambassador programme, we are investigating the possibility of a new ‘Ambassador’ award that schools could use to gain some formal recognition for young people involved as pupil ambassadors.
The proposed award would be flexible to allow pupils involved in any ambassador programme to take part, meaning that those involved in MyWOW, Young STEM leaders, or any other programmes could gain an SQA award too.
To progress with the idea, SQA would like to gauge interest within schools and we can go from there.
If you have a Language Ambassador Programme in your school, this could be an ideal way to award participants.
Visit the SCQF website for more information and to register your school's interest in the initiative.
Read more...
20 April 2023 (Open University)
TeLT is the Teachers Learning to Teach Languages programme offered by the Open University, and developed in partnership with SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. Now in its 7th year, this professional learning opportunity is aimed at educators working in the primary sector and carries GTCS Professional Recognition.
Students learn a language – French, German, Mandarin or Spanish - and in parallel, get to put primary language pedagogies into practice with their own pupils. The programme is offered at two levels – beginners and post-beginners.
Registration for 2023-24 intake is now open. Enrolment closes 7 September 2023. Modules begin in October.
Visit the TeLT website for full details about how the course works and how to register. For further information please contact: Scotland-languages@open.ac.uk.
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Primary,
Chinese,
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Spanish,
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CPD,
Language Learning,
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News from language & education organisations
18 April 2023 (Scottish Poetry Library)
The Scottish Poetry Library seeks submissions to its talent development scheme for poetry writers aged 16 to 25 years. We are looking for poets and poetry that are unique, imaginative and bold – a lot like Scotland itself.
We will select five young makars in total: four poets writing in English or Scots, and a writer in Scottish Gaelic. A bursary of £500 will be made available to each poet to support their engagement with the programme.
Visit the Scottish Poetry Library website for more information and submit applications by 28 April 2023.
Read more...
18 April 2023 (SEET)
It's our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! 50% of proceeds will be allocated to your own school fund, and 50% will be shared with our charity to further support young people with their language learning across Scotland. There will also be prizes for the most unique ideas and for the school that raises the most.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
28 March 2023 (TES)
Despite Scotland not producing any new Latin or classical studies teachers, a new project is raising hopes that the language of ancient Rome can be revived in schools.
[..] Dr Henry Stead (of the University of St Andrews) and I (at Monifieth High School, in Angus) initiated a new project - the St Andrews Latin Outreach Scheme (Stalos) - to introduce more state-school pupils to the language of the ancient Romans.
Last year, instructors from St Andrews travelled to Monifieth in Angus once per week, where a lunchtime group of 20 enthusiastic S4-6 pupils were guided through sections of the Cambridge Latin Course over nine weeks. The class then went to the university for an end-of-course certificate presentation event. This opportunity came without the obligation of the full course - they could try an ancient language out to see if it was for them, an opportunity they would otherwise be denied.
The wider impact of the scheme has been remarkable in showing an appetite for Latin in our school. It has provided an opportunity for pupils to visit and experience the University of St Andrews and - crucially - made a case for Latin as an examination subject for us.
(Note - subscription required to access the full article)
Read more...
18 March 2023 (Fife Today)
Pupils from Valley Primary School, Kirkcaldy, have been celebrating their success in a National Poetry Competition, Mother Tongue Other Tongue.
Six P7 pupils wrote original poems in their first language to showcase and celebrate the many languages spoken at Valley Primary School.
As well as entering the competition they also shared their poems at school along with pupils reciting a range of Scots poetry.
Read more...
17 March 2023 (The Herald)
Glasgow Gaelic School’s first ‘learner’ head teacher has been appointed to lead the flagship campus as record numbers of pupils are expected to enroll this year.
In common with more than 90% of pupils at the school, Gillian Campbell-Thow is not a native speaker of the ancient Scots language.
When the city’s first primary opened in 1999 the roll was predominantly made up of pupils whose parents had ‘heritage’ Gaelic.
While the Ayrshire-born teacher’s appointment might have raised eyebrows in the early days of the school, she says “for the most part” the reaction from the community has been positive.
The 44-year-old is working towards an additional teaching qualification in Gaelic at Strathclyde University and has her own homework to do this evening.
Da chanan, da chultar, iomadh cothrom, is written on her coffee mug: two languages, two cultures, many opportunities.
The new head certainly practices what she preaches. She is fluent in Spanish and French, competent in German and could comfortably chat in Mandarin.
Read more...
RZSS Programmes for Schools
16 March 2023 (RZSS)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland runs a variety of opportunities for schools linking language learning and their conservation programmes. Follow the relevant links below to find out more about current initiatives:
- 'Stripy Tails' Family event at Dewars Centre, Perth on 14th and 15th April. StampIT has invited RZSS Stripy Tails along to their youth corner at the ASPS (Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies) Congress. Fascinating facts about the red panda from China and the ring tailed lemur from Madagascar and the programme links to French and Mandarin. Full details on Eventbrite - Stripy Tails at ASPS Congress
Stripy Tails is also one of the 'Science in the Language Class' outreach programmes for schools.
- Beyond the Panda, the RZSS Mandarin programme is fully booked for this school year but taking bookings for 23-24. Beyond the Panda is continuing even though the giant pandas will return to China later this year. RZSS is still a science specialist Confucius Classroom offering virtual sessions, in-person outreach and many resources linked to Mandarin language learning. Visit the Beyond the Panda website for more information.
9 March 2023 (SEET)
It’s our birthday! SEET is proud to be 30 years old this June, and we are using this as an opportunity to raise awareness for language learning in our school communities.
Here at SEET, we are fortunate to work with hundreds of schools each year across the Euroquiz and Our World projects. We would like to use this platform to bring everyone together, have fun with languages and celebrate the hard work of the thousands of young linguists we work with across the country each year.
Interested in taking part? Pupils should work together to organise a language-themed fundraiser at school between March-June. This should be an opportunity to show off creativity and have fun with languages! See the attached flyer for more information.
Visit SEET's dedicated web page for full details and to sign up to raise awareness of language learning!
Read more...
9 March 2023 (Education Scotland)
Have you ever considered how languages could be the key to unlocking leadership potential? Well, this might be the ideal moment to give it some thought as we investigate Scotland’s Languages Leadership Programme as a route worthy of exploration towards leadership opportunities.
Karen Faulds, a primary school teacher prior to joining Scotland's National Centre for Languages (SCILT) in 2019, tells us about her participation in LLP which formed part of her own leadership journey. She describes the programme as a pivotal moment in that journey and confirms it remains the best professional learning experience for her to date.
Visit the Education Scotland website to read more about Karen's experience. Registration for the 2023-24 is now open. You'll find a link to apply within the article.
Read more...
Remembering Empire: Free materials to build global citizenship values and competence in French (S3 and AH)
7 March 2023 (University of Stirling)
Looking for free new materials for French learners? ‘Remembering Empire’ is an interdisciplinary learning programme for pupils of French in S3 and Advanced Higher. Developed by Dr Fiona Barclay (University of Stirling) with the support of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, ‘Remembering Empire’ builds language competence and global citizenship values by exploring France’s empire in Algeria. By focusing on the establishment of the colony, life there, and the departure of the settlers when Algeria became independent, learners are encouraged to make connections with Scotland’s history of emigration and colonisation, and with the experiences of refugees today.
The S3 programme consists of five sessions and focuses on an electronic comic book, ‘Entre ici et là-bas’, which tells the story of Jeanne, a young French girl whose family are forced to leave Algeria when it becomes independent. Waiting to board a ship, she reflects on her family’s history, from her great-grandfather who arrived in 1871 and built a farm for his family, to her own experiences of the war that led to independence. We hear about the indigenous Arab population and think about how they experienced this history.
Activities based on the comic include:
- City/country names and prepositions
- Asking questions and naming objects (if you had to leave home suddenly, what would you pack in your suitcase?)
- Describing emotions and using être in the present (how do the different characters feel?)
- Different daily routines, in Algeria and in France
- Using the near future (aller + infinitive) to imagine what the characters might do in the future.
Free resources include the comic (available on Webtoons), a video-recording of the comic being read aloud by a native speaker, lesson plans for all sessions with detailed information and interactive activities, and suggested drama activities led by actors with video guides.
For learners taking Advanced Higher French, Remembering Empire offers full support for the portfolio element, including the two required texts (a play and an interview with the playwright). Five sessions of archive footage, readings and activities in French introduce learners to the history and culture of French Algeria and the war which led to independence, and give the background required to study the play.
Six sessions focus on a French play, Les Pieds Tanqués (2012). Set on a pétanque pitch, the play presents the conflicting memories of the Algerian War. Full resources include the interactive electronic text of the play and notes, a written interview with the playwright, Philippe Chuyen, lesson plans with detailed information and classroom activities, a blank fiche de lecture and character profiles for pupils to complete (plus completed versions for teachers), and a video recording of a live performance. The package also includes a plan for a potential AH Portfolio essay question.
Interested? The materials will be available from April 2023. To express an interest and be contacted then, leave your name and contact details on this form: https://forms.gle/JNoer7PA2zkAjzvg9
3 March 2023 (Barrhead News)
Senior pupils at an East Renfrewshire school have put their foreign language skills to good use by taking part in an international podcast.
Francesca Bell, Sam Wells, Rachael Martin and head boy James Orr, of Mearns Castle High, were interviewed for the show by Ángela Gutiérrez, from Spain, and Mariana Mejía, from Colombia.
[..] The episode featuring the four S6 pupils is called ‘Entrevistamos a estudiantes de Glasgow’ and was fully recorded in Spanish.
Read more...
2 March 2023 (Daily Record)
Pupils at a Lanarkshire nursery celebrated world Gaelic week with a range of activities and shared the language with a special visitor.
Youngsters at Sgoil Araich, the Gaelic-language nursery at Tollbrae Primary in Airdrie, welcomed Anum Qaisar MP to their classrooms during the celebration week.
She took part in a lesson on colours and saw the pupils perform a number of “fantastic” Gaelic songs.
The recent celebration week aims to raise the profile of Gaelic in communities across the country and internationally, with figures from last year estimating that nearly a third of Scotland’s population can speak Gaelic.
Read more...
2 March 2023 (e-Sgoil)
Registration for e-Sgoil's Easter study support sessions is now open.
Please note, even if you've been attending term-time evening classes you must register separately for the Easter programme.
Sessions are free to learners. Visit the website to view the timetable and sign up for your preferred sessions. Various classes available for French, German, Gaelic/Gàidhlig and Spanish from National 5 to Advanced Higher.
Read more...
Research into Scots languages
2 March 2023 (UWS)
A fourth year primary education student at the University of the west of Scotland is carrying out research regarding Scots language in Scottish primary schools.
The purpose of this research is to gather information regarding how Scots is used within Scottish primary schools, as well as how teachers incorporate Scots language within the school and classroom. It will also explore teachers' attitudes to using Scots language within the school and classroom. Research is anonymous.
The student would be grateful to hear from any teacher who is able to complete the questionnaire, available through this link.
28 February 2023 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Glasgow Film Festival takes place 1-12 March screening the best new releases, a host of old favourites, and some undiscovered gems.
Visit the website for full programme details. Search in the 'genre' dropdown on the What's On page for foreign language films.
Read more...
24 February 2023 (SCILT)
Applications for Scotland's Languages Leadership Programme 2023-24 (SLLP) open until 5pm on Monday 24 April.
The SLLP builds leadership capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all. Applications are welcome from colleagues with 3 years' teaching experience or equivalent, who are interested in developing approaches to language learning and in implementing change in their own contexts. This might include classroom teachers, principal teachers, heads of department, heads of faculty or languages lead practitioners.
This online programme is free of charge to state schools and offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy.
Visit our Professional Learning page for more information about the programme and how to apply. You can also sign up for an online information session which will be hosted by SCILT and Education Scotland on Thursday 23 March.
Read more...
MTOT 2022-23 - Winners announced!
24 February 2023 (SCILT)
Pupils, teachers and special guests joined us online on 21 February to hear the winners of this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition. The date chosen for the event was significant being International Mother Language Day, a day to celebrate all world languages.
We are delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Sofia Poliakova
|
West Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jiya Srikanth
|
West Primary
|
Tamil
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Ariana Misankova
|
West Primary
|
Slovakian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Arina Fomenko
|
Williamsburgh PS
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Nikola Arimovica
|
Valley Primary
|
Russian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Misha Levdykov
|
Kilbarchan Primary
|
Russian-Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Shadan Alousy
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Arabic
|
|
Highly commended
|
Eve Joshi
|
Bearsden Academy
|
Danish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lynn Januschke
|
Madras College
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Michaela Mileva
|
St Joseph’s Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Oleksandra Lotytska
|
Rosshall Academy
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lucia d’Alessio
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Italian
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Mabel Sainsbury
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
P1 Class
|
Canaan Lane Primary
|
French
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Kathryn Morley
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Giles Leigh
|
Kilmodan Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Masha Naumenko
|
Thorn Primary
|
Ukrainian
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Caitlin Anderson
|
Monifieth High
|
Ukrainian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Laila Strokosch
|
Mearns Castle High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Molly Innes
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zach Bartlett
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aiman Mohammad
|
Renfrew High
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Aimee Carroll
|
Mintlaw Academy
|
German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Jessica Smith
|
Monifieth High
|
Spanish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Roux Scott
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Spanish
|
All our finalists will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also be offered the chance for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
This year we were also delighted to host a special strand of the competition focusing on Ukrainian languages. The winning entries in this category were:
- Primary – Arina Fomenko, Williamsburgh Primary
- Secondary – Dianna-Liza Boyckuk, Craigmount High
Teachers with students who entered in this category will be contacted separately regarding their awards.
It is our intention to host each of the finalists’ poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
23 February 2023 (The Herald)
Scotland is famous for many things, its scenery, its history, its people and of course, our distinct and vibrant culture.
Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is a fantastic celebration of one of the most valuable aspects of our cultural heritage; our language. It helps recognise the role Gaelic plays in shaping our culture and raise awareness of the language with audiences the world over. We are hugely excited to be part of it and share this story with our visitors.
But this week is also a timely reminder of why we must preserve Gaelic for future generations, for our future visitors but also for the communities who use it.
Responsible tourism is at the heart of everything we do at VisitScotland, and this includes protecting Scotland’s culture and heritage. We recognise the importance of preserving those assets, which are so vital to Scotland’s brand and make Scotland so unique.
Gaelic and its rich culture provide an extra layer of authenticity for visitors with a unique experience you can only truly have in Scotland. This only strengthens the destination connection we know means so much to visitors.
Read more...
16 February 2023 (LFEE)
LFEE Europe is again offering their online GTCS-accredited course for Secondary teachers.
Participants to this course will meet the GTCS requirements for residency.
The course will run from March to May 2023.
Visit the LFEE website for further information about the course and fees.
Read more...
9 February 2023 (Education Scotland)
Languages Week Scotland was celebrated from 30 January to 3 February. If you missed it, don’t worry, there are still plenty of resources to support language learners. Browse our languages wakelet for lots of useful links and resources.
Read more...
3 February 2023 (TES)
For a decade it has been government policy in Scotland that children should learn two languages in school - starting their first language in P1 and their second in P5, and continuing with them until at least the third year of secondary.
However, the figures show the policy - which began being introduced in 2013 and was supposed to be fully implemented by August 2021 - has yet to be fully realised.
Research published by the government in April last year, based on a survey of 86 per cent of primary schools and 88 per cent of secondaries, shows that just 69 per cent of primary schools were delivering a second language continuously from P1 to P7.
A further 29 per cent were “partially” delivering a second language and 2 per cent were delivering no second language whatsoever.
All secondaries were delivering a second language in S1 to S3 - but not all of them were doing so continuously: 70 per cent said they were delivering the entitlement to a second language in full.
And that’s before we get to the third language.
Read more...
3 February 2023 (University of Glasgow)
This collaborative project, carried out by an international team based at the University of Glasgow and at the Arabic Center of the Islamic University of Gaza (Palestine), explores the inclusion of a ‘refugee language’ in Scottish education as a way to enact the idea of ‘integration as a two-way process’ that is at the heart of the New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy (Scottish Government, 2018).
The project aimed to show that it is possible to make space in Scottish education for the many languages that New Scots bring with them and to give a space in Scottish schools to a greater number of languages that include those of the people who chose Scotland as their new home.
Visit the website for more information and to read the project's final report.
Read more...
2 February 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Each month the Scottish Book Trust runs a writing competition providing a prompt to get you started, but where the story goes from there is entirely up to you. The competition includes four categories: adult writers, all-age Gaelic writers, young writers 5–11 and young writers 12–18.
This month's stories must include a fox and be no longer than 50 words. Visit the Scottish Book Trust website to enter by 28 February.
Read more...
31 January 2023 (Scottish Education Awards)
Nominations are now open for this year's Scottish Education Awards.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
There are several award categories, including the award for Gaelic Education.
Visit the website for more information and submit nominations by 24 February 2023.
Read more...
27 January 2023 (The Scotsman)
Scotland boasts a wealth of fascinating place names with their meanings rooted in Gaelic, Norse and Pictish, here are 10 examples that reveal this diversity of language across Scottish history.
Read more...
26 January 2023 (SWEIC)
South West Educational Improvement Collaborative (SWEIC) is excited to launch our programme of professional learning opportunities in celebration of languages week. This year we have a wide selection of inputs, including French, Spanish, Ukrainian, Scots, Gaelic and BSL.
Our Keynote delivered by Education Scotland colleagues is A decade of 1+2 and Scotland’s changing languages landscape.
Visit the SWEIC blog to find out what's planned for the week and how to take part.
Read more...
26 January 2023 (Institut français)
All year round, the Institut français d’Écosse offers a variety of language workshops and Immersion days to support pupils and teachers in primary and secondary schools. Give your students the opportunity to be surrounded by the French language and supported by our team of qualified, native-speaking French teachers and friendly staff. Maximum group of 20 pupils.
More information is available on the attached flyer or you can visit the Institut français website.
Read more...
23 January 2023 (The Herald)
Bòrd na Gàidhlig is the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development, including providing advice to Scottish Ministers on Gaelic issues.
Amongst a range of functions, it produces the National Gaelic Language Plan for Ministerial approval, oversees the development and implementation of Gaelic Language Plans by Public Authorities, distributes funds for the development of the Gaelic language, provides leadership and advice in support of Gaelic language initiatives and initiates and implements other projects.
It also promotes Gaelic locally, nationally and internationally, with this work being informed by listening and reacting to the needs of communities.
[..] Thanks to support from Bòrd Na Gàidhlig, and huge interest from Gaelic speakers across Scotland and around the world, February 2023 sees the second official global Scottish Gaelic language week; Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) taking place through a series of in-person and online events.
Read more...
23 January 2023 (La Jolie Ronde)
To support Languages Week Scotland, La Jolie Ronde are offering Schools now and throughout February, FREE trials of their French and Spanish Scheme of Work for P3-P6. To take up this offer email: schools@lajolieronde.co.uk (quote SCILT).
Plus, parents can book a FREE trial session of a French and/or Spanish class run through their network of Scottish tutors - local tutors can be found on La Jolie Ronde's website.
Read more...
19 January 2023 (Scottish Book Trust)
Are you someone with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? We're looking for our next Scots writer of the year.
Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes. Open to Scots writers aged 11-18. Enter by 21 June 2023.
Read more...
12 January 2023 (Institut français)
Since its launch in 2016 by the Institut français d’Ecosse, le Concours de la francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland enjoying French language, has been a great way of celebrating the international day of la francophonie.
Throughout the years, many schools across Scotland have taken part in the competition and we hope to receive great entries this year again!
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French. The theme of the competition this year is : “PLAY” - “JOUER” en français. Deadline extended to 31 January 2023.
Visit the Institut français website or see the attached flyer for more information.
Read more...
9 January 2023 (SCILT/CISS)
You can now register interest to take part in our online National Qualification Mandarin classes with our GTCS Mandarin teachers.
Please see the flyer for more information, a teacher testimonial and the link to register your interest. If you cannot access the registration link through the flyer you can find the form here:
All the information is also available on the CISS website.
Read more...
16 December 2022 (UWS)
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS), coupled with the Scottish Mathematical Council, is organising the world-wide Mathematics and Language competition “Mathématiques sans Frontières” in Scotland (and rUK). We are hopeful that we continue to offer a stimulating and light-hearted competition for S4-S6 pupils which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages. For those of you who have not taken part previously, this competition aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork throughout pupils of all abilities, and bridge borders between countries across the world.
Attached is a discovery training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières” alongside some more formal competition instructions, and an entry proforma for the competition. Entry deadline: 27 January 2023.
You can also find more information on the UWS Mathématiques sans Frontières website.
Read more...
11 December 2022 (The Herald)
The Herald has long backed Scottish writers, whether writing in Scots or 'standard' English. In recent years, young Scots poet and Herald columnist Len Pennie has popularised the language via her online Scots Word of the Day. And, of course, we run a Scots Word of the Week each Saturday from our friends at the Dictionaries of the Scots Language.
So we are delighted to get behind annual McCash Scots Poetry Competition, run jointly by The Herald and Glasgow University.
The contest celebrates our traditional language in all its forms, and aims to support it. This year a first prize of £200 and three runner-up prizes of £100 are to be won. Poets can submit material on any theme of their choice.
Read more...
CISS Chinese New Year Poster Competition 2023
8 December 2022 (CISS)
CISS is delighted to announce a poster competition for primary schools to celebrate the forthcoming Year of the Rabbit!
Deadline for entries: Friday 13 January 2023
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY - entries submitted by email will not be accepted.
The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland.
DETAILS:
Design a poster to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!
Entries will be judged against the criteria below. Please submit a high quality photo or scan of each entry.
Please make sure posters include:
- The rabbit
- Mandarin Chinese language/characters
- The year 2023
The winning entry will receive a prize and be featured online, and the poster will be used as the CISS Chinese New Year e-card!
7 December 2022 (RZSS)
RZSS Beyond the Panda offers a range of FREE courses and outreach visits. Please see beyondthepanda.org.uk for full details.
These include:
- 5 week course aimed at upper primary but may also be of interest to lower secondary. Four weeks live virtual sessions, followed by an in-person outreach. Linked to Mandarin language learning.
- Single outreach sessions which compare two RZSS projects and aimed at upper primary:
- Giants: the giant panda from China and the giant anteater from South America - available in either Mandarin or Spanish.
- Stripy Tails: (available from April 2023 but bookings open and best to book early) the red panda from China and the ring-tailed lemur from Madagascar - available in either Mandarin or French.
There may also be availability for lower primary and some opportunities for secondary. For any of the sessions, contact srobb@rzzz.org.uk
Please book in well in advance. Fully booked to April 2023 but spaces available in May and June.
Read more...
6 December 2022 (Education Scotland / e-Sgoil)
Learn Gaelic, Scotland’s oldest National Language, online with other students from across Scotland via e-Sgoil, working in partnership with UHI Outer Hebrides.
Courses Available: National 5 Gaelic Learners, Higher Gaelic Learners, National 5 Gaidhlig (fluent speakers), Higher Gaidhlig (fluent speakers).
Frequency: Twice weekly, draft timetable available but this can be flexible to some degree to meet the needs of Learners.
Format: Online lessons via Microsoft Teams.
Offered at both National 5 and Higher, and with courses designed by award-winning staff, Gaelic comes alive through regular, interactive, online lessons, and quality digital support materials.
Learning Gaelic opens doors to many things, including exciting career choices, further education, Scottish culture, history, geography, tourism and wellbeing. Now is your chance to become part of this rich and rewarding world.
The National 5 and Higher courses are designed to help develop skills and knowledge rapidly, getting even those learners with no Gaelic at the start of the course to a level of confidence and fluency quickly. Self-study and independent learning are important elements of the course but there is a wealth of support and resources at your fingertips.
You will meet and make friends with other young people from across Scotland.
This course may be most attractive to students with interests in languages, traditional music, outdoor activities, the media, citizenship, history, or indeed any subject matter.
Gabh an cothrom! Seize the opportunity!
Visit the website or register provisional interest here and someone will be in touch to discuss with you: https://forms.office.com/e/6gLdv307Y4
Read more...
2 December 2022 (The Herald)
I’m biased when it comes to the Scots language: I'm a speaker, educator and a massive nerd.
I acknowledge not everyone has the same level of passion when it comes to research and engagement, so they might not know much about the language and its cultural context.
This week, I've enlisted the help of an independent fact-checker, Ferret Fact Service (FFS), to look at the truth behind some common claims which endure about Scots.
I encourage everyone to form conclusions based on independently-verified information. If you do find yourself shifting perspective once seeing the facts, I applaud your open-mindedness.
I like to think of ignorance as an essential, yet temporary part of every learning journey, so whether you know nothing about Scots yet or you've already formed your own opinions, I hope this article can be of use to you.
Read more...
24 November 2022 (e-Sgoil)
A video resource has been produced which can be used by Gaelic Medium class teachers (Primary & Secondary) to facilitate conversations around the National Discussion. The video is designed to be a 'stop & start' activity where learners are encouraged to take time to think through how they would answer each of the 4 questions below:
- Nuair a tha thu a’ smaoineachadh mu dheidhinn ionnsachadh no foghlam tro mheadhan na Gaidhlig, de na faclan a tha a’ tighinn a-steach ort?
- Nam biodh cothrom agad sgoil ur a thoiseachadh, de na rudan a bhiodh cudthromach dhut? Carson?
- De bhiodh na chuideachadh dhut barrachd Gaidhlig a chleachdadh san sgoil? Carson?
- Nan robh agad ri recipe a sgriobhadh airson foghlam tro mheadhan na Gaidhlig anns an t-am ri teachd, de na coig rudan a dh’fheumadh a bhith ann?
The video is presented by Linda Macleod and is available on the e-Sgoil website.
Read more...
22 November 2022 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
Nominations for the 2023 Scottish Gaelic Awards are now open!
The Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
Visit the website for more information on the award categories and submit nominations by 8 January 2023.
Read more...
22 November 2022 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) runs language learning and global citizenship projects for children and young people across Scotland. Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from February to April, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
To enter your team, please complete the Registration Form for schools and return to your local authority Euroquiz organiser. All schools in Scotland will receive this information directly from their local authority organiser. If you have not received a form, or do not know who your local organiser is, please get in touch with SEET: jane@seet.org.uk
We recently provided a CLPL session for interested teachers. Please find a full recording of the event here: https://youtu.be/un8iL3wN7-s
A downloadable flyer for schools is also attached.
More information about Euroquiz available on SEET's website or by emailing jane@seet.org.uk.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
17 November 2022 (Argyll & Bute/N Ayrshire Councils)
Stacey Arneil, 1+2 Development officer for North Ayrshire has teamed up with Gwen McCrossan, PT for 1+2 languages for Argyll & Bute Council to offer a 10-week pilot of live virtual lessons in French and Spanish. These lessons are suitable for learners from P4 onwards as the content bridges First and Second Level Experiences and Outcomes. The lessons would also suit as a standalone L3 topic. This offer is open to all Scottish primary schools using Glow Teams.
Each lesson will last 45 minutes. The same live lesson will run twice in the same week. You can choose to attend one, or the other. It is not necessary to stick to the same day.
The deadline for sign-up is 21 December 2022.
Follow the link below for more information and to register your class.
Read more...
Concours de la Francophonie 2023
11 November 2022 (Institut français)
Institut français d’Ecosse is proud to announce its 2023 edition of Concours de la Francophonie, a school competition at national level aiming at developing communicative skills in French. The theme this year is 'PLAY' ('JOUER' in French) and there will be winners for each category : P1/P4 - P5/P7 - S1/S3 - S4/S6. Enter by 13 January 2023.
For more information see the attached flyer or contact : ife.francophonie@gmail.com
10 November 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The annual celebration of books and reading across the country takes place 14–20 November. During Book Week, people of all ages and walks of life come together to share the joy of reading.
This year's stories have been shared on the Scottish Book Trust website and a handful of their favourites compiled in a free book. With the event focusing on 'Scotland's Stories' you'll find several told in Scots and Gaelic.
Visit the Book Week Scotland website to discover the events taking place across the week and activities and resources to help you get involved.
Read more...
10 November 2022 (The Herald)
Respected Scottish writer and historian Professor James Hunter is calling for an internationally renowned college on the Isle of Skye to become Scotland’s first Gaelic University.
The move, which would require the backing of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC), would give Sabhal Mòr Ostaig its own university degree-awarding powers for the first time.
It comes as ministers warned of a crisis in a bid to keep Gaelic alive because of a dramatic shortage of teachers.
Based in the Sleat peninsula, in the south of Skye, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, is currently a currently a college delivering both Further and Higher Education, and an independent academic partner of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
With the unique distinction of having Scottish Gaelic as the sole language of instruction on its courses, the college is regarded as having played a crucial role in the linguistic and cultural renaissance of the Gaelic language in Scotland.
Read more...
4 November 2022 (University of Strathclyde)
The School of Education in the University of Strathclyde have developed two new modules as part of the MEd Education Studies course that may be of particular interest to languages practitioners (EYs, primary, secondary MFL, FE, EAL/ESOL, Gaelic).
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education: Policy, Theory and Practice (commencing Jan 2023)
This module is designed to develop your knowledge of multilingual and multicultural contexts within education and wider society. This module will equip you with core skills for language learning and teaching and consider the role of intercultural education. You will extend your confidence in language teaching approaches within and across the curriculum. This class will encourage you to be reflective and adaptive in your practice.
- Enacting Social Justice in Language Learning and Teaching (commencing April 2023)
As languages educators, how can we achieve the goal of prioritising equity, diversity, and inclusion in the languages classroom? Using theory, research and examples of innovative approaches for promoting social justice, this module is aimed at language educators in all sectors and is designed to develop your knowledge of a range of contemporary issues in language education. This module aims to develop critical thinking and reflection and consider how these impact on social justice pedagogy and agency for social change.
More information can be found in the attached flyer or visit the University of Strathclyde website.
Read more...
31 October 2022 (SQA)
The SQA has now published this year's course reports for AH Gaelic (Learners), German and Spanish.
These can be found on the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage within the Course Reports section.
Read more...
25 October 2022 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival 2022 Learning Programme, offering a selection of films for schools free of charge, is now live!
Check out and download the programme of films for all ages. The programme runs until Christmas.
Simply choose your titles, complete the booking form, then create your account to have free access to all the films and learning packs that go with them.
For more information contact schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk or visit the French Film Festival website.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (SQA)
SQA has now published the 2022 Advanced Higher Italian course report.
Visit the Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage for more information.
Read more...
20 October 2022 (BBC)
The UK government says it is considering whether new legislation or funding would better support Gaelic broadcasting.
During a debate at Westminster, Conservative former Scotland Office minister Iain Stewart said the service required the same status enjoyed by Welsh language broadcasters.
He said Gaelic broadcasting was vital culturally and socially and delivered a positive economic impact, but needed public sector broadcast status in legislation.
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said options to improve support for the service was being looked at as part the forthcoming Media Bill.
Broadcasting is a matter reserved to Westminster.
The Scottish government said support for the Gaelic language was vital.
Read more...
11 October 2022 (e-Sgoil)
Following last year's 'Languages and your career' workshop, e-Sgoil in partnership with SCILT will be hosting a series of sessions over six weeks from the end of October through to early December 2022.
Schools can sign up for as many or as few as they wish; after a first general session, the remaining five weeks will explore how a different language each week can contribute to success in a range of jobs and career paths. These will be interactive workshops featuring input from people working with the language of focus each week. These sessions aim to introduce learners (S2-S4) to the importance of languages and their associated skills in the workplace, break down stereotypes of careers that use languages, identify appropriate career pathways, and hear examples of people who use languages in their daily work.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for more information and to register interest in the sessions.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Careers,
Language Learning for Work,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic
AMOPA: Parlons français - A competition for students of AH French
11 October 2022 (AMOPA)
Now that school life is back to a “new normal” AMOPA is once again running the Parlons français competition.
“It must be the easiest competition ever to take part in!” That’s a quote from a teacher and it’s true!
All we need is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. We will assess it and give everyone some feedback. We also award prizes and certificates.
We hope that taking part supports your pupils’ learning and exam preparation and is not a distraction. They are practising anyway – why not let them get some feedback on that?
As in previous years we will have prizes for the best entries, a certificate for every entrant and a gift for each school taking part too. In the last few years all schools were given a DVD of a French film.
More information is available in the attached pdf document. Entry deadline: 15 February 2023.
11 October 2022 (SQA)
SQA is recruiting markers for the external assessment of National Courses in 2022-23. Opportunities are available across all subjects and levels, and full training will be provided. Visit the SQA website to find out more.
Read more...
FilmG competitions 2022
6 October 2022 (FilmG)
FilmG is an annual Gaelic short film festival which aims to foster and develop new talent for Gaelic media. Now in its 15th edition, the FilmG festival is this year offering two competitions, both focusing on this year's theme 'Buidhe (Yellow)'. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
5 October 2022 (The National)
A “groundbreaking” language plan in Shetland should pave the way for Scots to “gain the foothold it deserves”, a linguistics expert has said.
Professor Viveka Velupillai told The National that the language plan for Shaetlan was “an important first step” in getting it and the macro Scots language stronger recognition.
In conjunction with Dr Beth Mouat, Velupillai has succeeded in getting the University of the Highlands and Islands Shetland board to sign up to the Shaetlan Language Plan.
It means that the variant of Scots will be used on signage and in learning environments in an effort to raise the profile of Shaetlan “locally, nationally, and internationally”.
Read more...
4 October 2022 (BBC)
Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Perth later this month for the Royal National Mòd.
Scotland's annual festival of Gaelic language, culture and sport is returning to the city for the first time in 18 years.
City leaders are preparing for an influx of about 7,500 people for the eight-day event, predicted to be worth £1m to the local economy.
It begins on 14 October with a torchlit procession and an opening concert.
The Mòd will feature more than 200 competitions in music, dancing, storytelling and sport. For the first time it will also feature an art contest this year.
Read more...
4 October 2022 (BBC)
The teaching of Gaelic in schools is in crisis due to a shortage of new teachers, according to a study.
It suggests over the next five years a minimum of 225 teachers would be needed to meet demand, but only 25 qualified for the whole of this year.
The analysis comes from a former leader and a former education boss at Highland Council.
The Scottish government said it was committed to supporting Gaelic medium education.
Dr Michael Foxley and Prof Bruce Robertson, a former director of education at Highland Council and visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde, carried out the study. Their paper has been submitted to a Scottish government consultation on Gaelic and Scots education.
Dr Foxley and Prof Robertson said their study suggested there was already a recruitment crisis and the situation was likely to get significantly worse, with rural and island schools being the hardest hit.
They said a minimum of 135 new primary and 90 new secondary teachers would be required over the next five years to meet the needs of 19 local authorities already with Gaelic provision, or planning to introduce it.
Read more...
30 September 2022 (DCA)
Discovery Film Festival, Scotland’s international film festival for young audiences, is back for its 19th year, Sat 22 October to Sun 6 November. There's another packed programme of the best new films for young audiences from around the world - and once again the festival will be available both online and at Dundee Contemporary Arts.
Visit the website for full details.
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30 September 2022 (SCILT)
We are delighted to announce the national roll-out of Le Foot et La Francophonie 2022-23! Following a successful pilot project with four Glasgow schools last session, we have now opened registrations for expressions of interest in Le Foot et La Francophonie 2022-23. This interdisciplinary project brings together French and professional football, opening learners’ eyes to the relevance of language learning in the world of international sports, focussing on the four core language skills and building awareness of cultures in French-speaking countries across the globe. To find out more and to register your interest in this competition, which is open to pupils in S2 and S3, please visit the SCILT website.
An initial information session for teachers will take place on Thursday 3 November (3.45 - 4.45pm) and schools will be asked to confirm their participation by Friday 11 November.
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29 September 2022 (SCILT)
A reminder that schools interested in taking part in this year’s MTOT competition have until 6 October (National Poetry Day) to register. The competition provides a great opportunity for all pupils in Scotland P1-S6 to get creative with a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). Students can even enter in both categories!
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23 September 2022 (TES)
In August, Renfrewshire Council became the latest Scottish local authority to introduce Gaelic-medium education for primary pupils. Now, half of Scottish councils (16 out of 32 authorities) offer primary Gaelic-medium education almost four decades on from the first primary units being established in 1985 in Glasgow and Inverness.
They began with a couple of dozen pupils in total. Now over 3,500 primary pupils are taught through the medium of Gaelic in Scotland, while many people more generally are being drawn to Gaelic - by February this year over a million people had accessed the Duolingo language learning app’s Gaelic course.
Still, experts say that the language’s future remains precarious. Wilson McLeod, professor of Gaelic at the University of Edinburgh, says it is becoming a “network language” - spoken between family members and between friends and acquaintances with the linguistic skills - but not tied to a particular geographic area.
“The idea of the tight-knit rural community where everyone speaks the same language seems less likely at this stage,” he says, while adding that “nothing is impossible with the right support and the right commitment”.
However, discussion about how far interventions should go - and the role that education should play in the promotion and preservation of Gaelic - can become clouded by politics, with the promotion of Gaelic decried by critics as a nationalist project.
But McLeod disagrees with the portrayal of the SNP “forcing Gaelic down people’s throats”. Indeed, he is highly critical of the Scottish government, accusing it of being “tentative” and “half-hearted” in its approach to the language.
The Labour-Lib Dem administration from 1999 to 2007 did more for Gaelic than has been done since the SNP came to power, he says. He describes the amount being invested by the Scottish government in Gaelic as “pitiful” and says there has been “very little serious policy in relation to Gaelic” and some “serious opportunities” missed.
In fact, McLeod argues, parents rather than politics have been the driving force behind the growth of Gaelic-medium education (GME).
Certainly, it was parents who got the first GME classes up and running in 1985 and it was parents who made the case for introducing GME in Renfrewshire in August - albeit new laws introduced by the Scottish government set out the process for such a request.
But with a Scottish Languages Bill in the offing and the government consulting until mid-November on matters Gaelic and Scots, might parents hope that in the future there will be less onus on them, that a more strategic approach be taken to Gaelic-medium education?
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
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The Language Ambassadors Programme
23 September 2022 (University of Strathclyde/SCILT)
The Language Ambassadors family has grown!
For 2022-2023, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Stirling will be working together to offer an even greater variety for our visits.
In the coming session, we will be back offering on-site visits, as well as virtual visits.
So, get your learners to discover the joys of learning and being able to use another language by organising a Language Ambassadors visit to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian, Mandarin or Spanish, on a range of degree programmes. These include BA Honours in French and Spanish, Professional Education and Languages, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language, Psychology and a European Language, but also Engineering and Science degrees and they are keen to share their experiences of learning and using their languages as well as discovering new cultures.
This programme provides student role models to promote languages to young people and encourage your learners to choose languages as part of their high school curriculum. It is free of charge but we expect the school to cover travelling expenses for ambassadors.
We can deliver a range of activities, such as:
- A presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language for future study and/or employability;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
Visit the Language Ambassadors Programme website to find out more, and how to book a visit for your school starting October 2022.
If you have any questions about The Language Ambassadors programme, please contact Cédric Moreau and Cristina Johnston.
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Ambassadors,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
22 September 2022 (SQA)
The SQA has published this year's course reports for Advanced Higher French and Advanced Higher Chinese languages.
These can be found on the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage under Course Reports.
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22 September 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT and CISS presented a poster competition aimed at S2-S3 learners, to design the contents of their own time capsule – past or present – to join in with the celebration of Glasgow Doors Open Day 2022.
Secondary learners from across Scotland took part in the competition which provided a fantastic opportunity to share their cultural heritage, demonstrate their creativity, and showcase their language skills, both learned at school and used at home.
Congratulations to our winners, Abby Slack, S3 learner from Mearns Castle High School who won the ‘past’ category and to Emerald Li, S3 learner from Mearns Castle High School who won the ‘present’ category.
They were awarded with a £30 voucher and their work was featured in The Ramshorn exhibition as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival on 16 and 17 September 2022. Well done to everyone who took part in this competition, the judging panel were impressed by all entries received and hope that you will participate again next year!
Find out more about the competition on our website.
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Languages Week Scotland - save the date!
22 September 2022 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. Now in its fifth year, Languages Week Scotland 2023 will take place from 30 January – 3 February and will be a week of activity across the country.
The theme for 2023 is “Languages for a peaceful world”. Language skills build trust and deepen diplomatic and cultural relations between countries and cultures; they allow for an appreciation that other cultures have different ways of doing things, building social cohesion and improving social mobility. Language skills facilitate in the individual the development of a wide spectrum of soft-skills and attributes including communication, diplomacy, negotiation and empathy[1].
Languages Week Scotland 2023 aims to celebrate how languages – spoken and signed – equip us as individuals and as a society to contribute to a peaceful world. Educational establishments, community-based groups, arts and sports organisations, social enterprises and businesses – large and small – are invited to engage with the week. Follow the hashtag #ScotlandLovesLanguages and the dedicated Twitter account @LangsWeekScot.
21 September 2022 (Education Scotland)
This resource, in the form of suggested weekly planners for the school session, is designed to support primary practitioners to plan and deliver languages from P1 through to P7. The resource contains suggested timeframes, contexts for learning, supports progression across the four skills in language learning from Early to Second level and contains links to helpful and free to access resources. The resource can be tailored to suit practitioners’ preferred contexts for learning.
Visit Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub website to access the new resource.
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20 September 2022 (Maths Week Scotland)
Inspired by the annual Mathématiques sans Frontières contest, this mini-competition includes a language element and is for any class to complete together.
The challenge launches at the start of Maths Week Scotland on 26 September. Entries should be submitted by 22 October.
Visit the Maths Week Scotland website for more information.
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9 September 2022 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society)
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, in partnership with SCILT, ran the second iteration of the Jacqueline Munro-Lafon Essay Prize in 2022. This prize was established in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community.
Pupils from across Scotland took part in the competition, which provides a fantastic opportunity for AH French candidates to showcase their French writing skills in a national competition. The Jacqueline Munro-Lafon French Essay Prize mirrors elements of the writing marking guidelines for AH French and offers pupils an opportunity to compete for a first-place prize of £500 and recognition on a national stage.
Candidates produced some very high quality essays. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held by Zoom on Tuesday 31 May 2022. A recording of this, along with a list of the winning entries, is now available on the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland website.
This session’s competition will be launched before Christmas and registration for schools will open in January 2023. For more information, please visit our webpage.
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1 September 2022 (e-Sgoil)
Online study support sessions for learners in Scotland are again being offered by e-Sgoil. Registration for the autumn term evening webinars opens 5 September.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for details and sign-up information.
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Free online French Higher and Advanced Higher workshops funded by the Franco-Scottish Society starting at the end of September
1 September 2022 (Edinburgh College)
In collaboration with Franco-Scottish Society, Edinburgh College is again offering free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils commencing September 2022.
See the relevant flyer below for full details:
30 August 2022 (University of Edinburgh)
The Centre for Open Learning at the University of Edinburgh offers a diverse range of language learning options for adult learners. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
- Short courses - available in Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and Turkish
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) - learners of the Japanese language can sit the internationally recognised qualification at the University of Edinburgh
- Open languages - a wide range of language courses open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Edinburgh
- Access Programme - a part-time programme for adult returners enabling successful participants to progress to studying a language degree
Details of the above courses can also be found on the Beyond School pages of the SCILT website.
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Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival: Schools programme
26 August 2022 (ESFF)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) is back with its 9th edition, and we want you all to get involved! We are once again providing our Schools Programme for students learning Spanish as a second language. We are really excited about the two films we are offering this year at our in-person screenings.
To take part in these exciting screenings, all the information you need is in the attached document.
26 August 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the return of Mother Tongue Other Tongue, our multilingual poetry competition!
MTOT gives young people of all ages P1 – S6 the opportunity to showcase their language skills and creative talent. Over the years this competition has uncovered a wealth of talented young linguists: they have created songs, rhymes and poems that are unique, funny, clever, emotive and moving. Young people are asked to create an original poem/song/rap in a language other than English: this can be a language spoken at home, or a language they are learning at school. To enter, the poem should be recorded (audio or video) and sent to us along with a completed entry form.
Winning entries will receive a range of prizes, including the opportunity to have their poem included in the UK National Children’s Poetry Archive, as well as featuring in a dedicated episode of the international Kids Poetry Club podcast. This year we are highlighting the Ukrainian language, with a special prize on offer for entries from Ukrainian speakers.
Schools are invited to register interest by 6 October 2022 (National Poetry Day). Visit the MTOT webpage for more information.
We look forward to seeing another generation of young poets find their voice!
Read more...
26 August 2022 (SCILT)
We are beyond delighted to share with you our brand new case study that focuses on language learning in the Early Years! The Early Years Creative Puppetry project, or EYCP as it has become lovingly known, focuses on the work of a professional learning partnership (PLP) that took place during the Spring and Summer terms of 2022. The PLP involved around 40 teachers and early years practitioners from 20 schools and early learning centres across Scotland, alongside Tania Czajka, bilingual author, qualified early years practitioner and Teaching Artist and two Professional Development Officers from SCILT.
The EYCP project highlights how the use of puppet-making and bilingual storybooks can be an effective approach to support language learning at Early Level within a play-based setting. Here we share what the project entailed for educators and children, as well as the impact it has had on all participating partners.
You can access the case study directly on our website.
Access this and other case studies for Professional Learning Partnerships on our dedicated webpage.
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26 August 2022 (SCILT)
After the success last session of Espacios Increíbles, our inter-disciplinary learning competition combining Spanish and design, we're delighted to announce Espacios Increíbles 2022-23 is back! After last year’s hotly contested final, we know our previous competitors are keen to take part again this year and try to claim the Espacios Increíbles crown from Kinross High School but we’d like to up the stakes even more and get more schools involved. Any school from across Scotland can take part in this national competition, aimed at S2 and S3 learners of Spanish.
The Espacios Increíbles webpage has been updated with information on previous events and winners along with videos featuring some of our guest speakers at the final. Take a look to see what they had to say about their languages experience, find out more about this year's competition and register your interest in taking part.
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24 August 2022 (TES)
A new consultation aimed at ensuring the long-term growth of the Gaelic and Scots languages has been launched today by the Scottish government.
The consultation seeks views on how to raise the profile of Scots, a new strategic approach to Gaelic-medium education (GME) and the growth of areas with a high percentage of Gaelic speakers. The consultation also covers the structure and function of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the principal public body promoting Gaelic in Scotland.
The feedback received through the consultation will help to develop the forthcoming Scottish Languages Bill. The SNP promised in its 2021 Scottish Parliament election manifesto to bring forward “a new Scottish languages Bill which takes further steps to support Gaelic, acts on the Scots language and recognises that Scotland is a multilingual society”.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
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23 August 2022 (SEET)
Our World, the languages and citizenship based filmmaking project for secondary school pupils, is now open for registration!
SEET staff are now offering a CLPL session for teachers to help them feel more confident in taking on Our World with their class. They also offer online school visits for schools who are interested in taking part. These are aimed at pupils participating in the project.
Visit the Our World website for full details.
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23 August 2022 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now enrolling for the new academic year 2022-23.
There are courses for adults and children at all levels along with exam support classes for secondary schools pupils who will be sitting their National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher French exams.
Classes commence from 12 September 2022. Visit the website for further information.
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20 August 2022 (The Scotsman)
In August 2002 Itchy Coo, an imprint dedicated to publishing books in Scots for young readers, launched its first four titles at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Twenty years on, Itchy Coo has produced more than 80 titles, ranging from board books to graphic novels and collections of poems, fables, fairy tales and stories. The list includes many translations of works by the likes of Julia Donaldson, JK Rowling, Roald Dahl and Jeff Kinney.
As one of Itchy Coo’s founders as well as an editor and contributing author, I am of course pleased by the continuing success of the project. Not only has it put thousands of braw books into the hands of bairns, their families and their teachers, it has also challenged some deep-rooted negative perceptions of Scots, both within the education system and more generally across society.
This does not mean that the negativity − equating Scots with ‘slang’ or ‘bad English’, for example, or the vilification of individual writers or performers simply for using Scots − has entirely disappeared; nor does it mean that the loss of Scots vocabulary and idiom has not been substantial in many areas. Nevertheless, there are reasons to be hopeful.
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19 August 2022 (SCILT/Bilingualism Matters)
Bilingualism Matters and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, are opening up opportunities for professional learning and networking for teachers in complementary and Saturday schools throughout Scotland.
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18 August 2022 (Edinburgh College)
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College.
In collaboration with Franco-Scottish Society, the college is again offering free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils commencing September 2022.
See the attached flyers for full details. Links are also available on the Beyond School Supporting Schools section of the SCILT website.
Read more...
18 August 2022 (Education Scotland)
e-Sgoil, in partnership with UHI Outer Hebrides, is offering N5 and Higher e-Learning for Gaelic (Learners). This flexible route into Gaelic Learning may be of interest to senior phase learners, in particular those in S6 with an interest in languages, culture or music. Further information can be found in the flyer below and by visiting e-Sgoil's website.
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9 August 2022 (News Headlines UK)
The number of pupils studying modern languages, science and maths at higher level has fallen significantly, figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority show.
Only 505 students took higher German in 2022, compared to 780 students in 2020, while the number of students taking French and Spanish at higher level also fell significantly.
Around 3,165 students took Higher Level French in 2020, a number that dropped to 2,500 this year. A total of 2,900 students took Higher Level Spanish in 2020, a drop to 2,465 this year.
The reasons for the sharp drop in the number of students studying modern languages at higher level are not clear, but the question of the affordability of language teaching in schools has been addressed by Holyrood’s inquiry education committee before the pandemic.
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Related Links
SQA results: Huge drop in pupils taking Higher languages and sciences (The Herald, 9 August 2022) - Note, subscription required to access full article.
7 August 2022 (Greenock Telegraph)
Crown Care Centre clients and staff celebrated in style as they finished off a ten-week course of language learning.
A celebratory bash was held at the King Street centre following the conclusion of an Italian language course, which explored the country's food, culture and geography.
The programme was delivered by Glasgow-based Lingo Flamingo, which provide foreign language workshops for vulnerable adults across Scotland.
Read more...
19 July 2022 (BBC)
A celebration of the centenary of a poet who wrote in three languages is being held in southern Scotland.
William Neill was born in Ayrshire in 1922 but lived in Dumfries and Galloway for much of his life.
A book of recollections, memories and tributes is being launched in Gatehouse of Fleet as part of the Big Lit festival on Thursday.
Poet Hugh McMillan said Mr Neill was not as well known as he deserved to be on the strength of his work in Scots, Gaelic and English.
Along with fellow poet Stuart Paterson, they have put together the book in his honour entitled The Leaves of the Years.
Read more...
26 July 2022 (BBC)
Ultrasound recordings have been made of people speaking Gaelic to reveal how the tongue moves to produce the language's different sounds.
Gaelic has a large consonant system and some sounds - l, n and r - are each sounded three different ways.
The videos have been made available on a new website, Teangannan na Gàidhlig.
Researchers said the recordings could help people to learn Gaelic, and said they also shed new light on the "mechanics of bilingual speech".
Read more...
22 July 2022 (The Herald)
The Scottish Government wants Scotland to be “the best place for British Sign Language (BSL) users to live, work, learn and visit”.
Since the introduction of the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, the everyday lives of Scottish deaf people have certainly improved, but there is still work to be done. Edinburgh is a world-renowned festival city, yet to date the access for deaf people to this cultural event has been patchy and unco-ordinated.
As a deaf BSL user, my overriding memory of the Fringe is one of feeling overwhelmed, but wanting to be part of it all. Deaf Action, where I have been CEO since 2017, wants to change this.
We have been a pioneering force at the forefront of the community for nearly 190 years and don’t do things by halves, so just making the festival season accessible with the add-on provision of captions and BSL/English interpreters didn’t feel enough.
Instead, we’ve added an extra dimension to this year’s season – the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which takes place from 12-19 August 2022; a week of deaf culturally-specific events alongside an accessible festival season.
Read more...
9 July 2022 (Daily Record)
Children from across Renfrewshire will be able to learn their lessons while speaking and writing in Scottish Gaelic at a Paisley school.
For the first time, pupils can benefit from special Gaelic provision, which initially consists of one class at West Primary School, rather than going to a Gaelic school in nearby council areas.
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4 July 2022 (Northern Scot)
Buckie High's partnership with a major local employer has seen them scoop a prestigious national award.
For the past six years, BCHS has been working closely with Associated Seafoods Ltd (ASL), who export their salmon and other products across the globe. One of the many benefits accruing from the partnership has been the opportunity to use and expand a range of languages.
Most recently, the school and ASL were able to resume the S1 seafood project, which brought together a whole host of skills.
The hard work has brought its own rewards in that shape of a silver Scottish Languages Employability Award.
Read more...
16 June 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scotland’s Young Makars is a creative writing project for young poets of secondary school age in Scotland. It aims to enable young people to write, understand and engage with poetry in a wide variety of styles and forms.
The project offers free online poetry workshops and mentoring, culminating in six young makars reading their work on stage at Stanza in March 2023.
Visit the Stanza website for more information and to register interest.
Read more...
University of Strathclyde MEd Education Studies - New languages modules
7 June 2022 (University of Strathclyde)
The School of Education in the University of Strathclyde has developed two new modules as part of the MEd Education Studies course that may be of particular interest to languages practitioners (EYs, primary, secondary MFL, FE, EAL/ESOL, Gaelic).
- Multilingual and Multicultural Education: Policy, Theory and Practice (commencing Jan 2023)
- Enacting Social Justice and Change in Language Learning and Teaching (commencing April 2023)
Practitioners who have already completed the SCILT professional learning courses (TELT and/or LLP) and have been awarded GTCS professional recognition, are eligible for accreditation of prior learning (20 Masters level credits for each course) towards gaining a full Masters degree. Likewise, teachers who have recently completed an ITE course at the University of Strathclyde may be eligible for further accreditation.
Further information about these modules and the course generally can be found in the attached information document. Details of the full suite of modules are in the attached MEd Education Studies Module Catalogue 2022-23.
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Qualifications,
Strathclyde University,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
Information webinar for primary teachers in Scotland keen to learn a new language and how to teach it in their classrooms
7 June 2022 (SCILT)
Teachers Learning to Teach Languages, or TeLT for short, is a blended professional learning programme lasting 9 months that is aimed at practitioners who want to develop their practice in teaching languages to primary aged pupils.
Two information webinars for prospective students on the OU/SCILT TeLT programme are scheduled for:
- Thursday 16 June, 7pm - 8pm
- Tuesday 21 June, 7pm - 8pm
These webinars are open to teachers that teach languages primary schools in Scotland. Register here for your preferred webinar date.
Each 60-minute online event will introduce interested primary teachers to the primary languages programme delivered in collaboration by the Open University and SCILT from October 2022 to June 2023, where teachers can study one of four languages from scratch, learn how to teach it and apply their new skills directly as part of the course.
Participants will learn what the programme has to offer, what is required to succeed in becoming a primary languages teacher and gain professional recognition from the GTCS for the study.
Participants will hear about the impact of the study on attitudes and practice of teachers, pupils and the entire school community from OU and SCILT colleagues and find out how the course enables teachers to collaborate with primary schools across Scotland and Wales through in-programme eTwinning.
In addition, they will learn first-hand about experiences studying the course from former students, in-service primary teachers, who are now working as guest tutors on the programme. The guest tutors will also share how studying this programme has boosted their professional opportunities and employability skills.
Teachers working in other parts of the UK can find the information for the programme in their area on the Open University website.
Le Foot et la Francophonie
31 May 2022 (SCILT)
Congratulations to Lourdes Secondary School, winners of SCILT’s inaugural edition of Le Foot et la Francophonie!
Le Foot has generated huge enthusiasm in the four Glasgow schools involved in the pilot project. During the autumn of 2021, teachers of French at Knightswood Secondary School, Lourdes Secondary School, Shawlands Academy and St. Roch’s Secondary School, supported by staff from SCILT, produced some high quality teaching materials based on football and the French-speaking world. To ensure that this project was truly interdisciplinary, all stakeholders collaborated on a guidance document outlining benchmarks, experiences and outcomes from Modern Languages, Physical Education and Health and Wellbeing curricular areas. They were supported in this endeavour by input from Physical Education staff in their respective schools, as well as by Cara Lamb, who leads the PGDE Secondary Physical Education course at the University of Strathclyde.
In January, Le Foot was rolled out in S2 classrooms and on school playing fields. Engagement among pupils who had previously shown limited interest in languages was particularly evident, with one of the teachers involved noting that this was “French disguised as football”! The outstanding resources produced and shared by each school cover the four core skills of reading, listening, talking and writing, encompassing the Francophone world and including strong anti-racism messages. Just as importantly, the 750 pupils who took part learned of the relevance of languages to a range of careers in professional sports – an area in which many have a keen interest.
The competitive final took place at the University of Strathclyde on 12 May. The event involved teams of pupils from each of the schools, together with classmates who came along to support them. On the panel of judges were Cédric Moreau (Subject Leader for French, University of Strathclyde), Lisa Hanna (Depute Director, SCILT), Jordan Allison (Head of Charity, Kilmarnock FC) and Mark Cunningham (final-year student in Spanish and Education, and qualified football coach). After presenting a football-themed video in French, the teams performed football drills, which included commands in French. They then heard video messages from John Collins, Christophe Berra and Ismaila Soro, before the winner’s announcement saw Lourdes Secondary School claim the trophy, together with a visit to Hampden Park, where the winning team will be given a French-focussed tour of the stadium and the Scottish Football Museum.
Watch this space for information on Le Foot et la Francophonie being rolled out nationally in 2022-23, together with further details on how your school can get involved.
9 May 2022 (Bilingualism Matters)
University of Edinburgh PhD candidate Mariel Deluna is investigating teacher perspectives on the relationship between “race”, language, ethnicity, and nationality.
All current Scottish secondary school language teachers are invited to participate in the study.
More information is available on the Bilingualism Matters website.
Read more...
8 May 2022 (The Travel)
If one goes to the United Kingdom - what language can one expect people to speak? The easy answer is of course English - and naturally, everyone speaks English there. But there are actually many languages in the British Isles. For the purposes of this article, we will include the British Crown Dependencies of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands - even though technically they are not part of the UK.
Read more...
5 May 2022 (Daily Record)
Three high school students from Linlithgow Academy were declared West Lothian’s ‘Languagenut champions’ - awarded by a national language learning resource company.
The language education company, Languagenut, ran the competition regionally in both Glasgow and West Lothian throughout the month of March.
The Languagenut resource is accessible to students via an app or website, and supports young people in learning a modern language.
Read more...
Contemporary German films
2 May 2022 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow is delighted to be offering screenings of contemporary German films in Glasgow and in Edinburgh in collaboration with the Institut français d'Écosse. Admission is free for both but booking is required. The films are in German with English subtitles. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
- Cleo - Institut français, Edinburgh (24 May 2022) - The adventure, coming-of-age comedy explores the title character's desire to be able to turn back time and reverse a past misfortune.
- Le Prince - Goethe-Institut, Glasgow (26 May 2022) - A story of romance challenged by cultural differences.
29 April 2022 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that event materials are now available to view on our website, including video recordings from Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Keynote speaker, Bernardette Holmes MBE, Independent Languages Policy and Pedagogy Consultant and Plenary speaker, Louise Glen, Senior Education Officer at Education Scotland.
Video presentations taken from breakout discussions, including testimonials and speaker biographies are also available to view and will be of interest to the language teaching community and community-based organisations.
The event welcomed language leads, teachers and the wider languages community to share, celebrate and highlight the importance of valuing language skills and ensuring the rights of all children and young people to a language rich curriculum.
Read more...
28 April 2022 (Scottish Government)
The Scottish Government, in partnership with ADES, COSLA and Education Scotland, carried out a survey of local authorities last year to gauge progress to implement the 1+2 languages policy in schools. A full report of the findings from this survey has now been published this week. Among the key findings is that nearly all primary and secondary schools are now delivering language learning throughout the Broad General Education from P1 to S3.
Read more...
Writing projects and competitions
19 April 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
The Scottish Book Trust currently has open projects and competitions for aspiring writers! Follow the relevant link below to find out more about each one:
- Young Scots Writer of the Year Award - Open to ages 11-18. Writing should be in Scots, whether you write a story, poem, play, song or make a short video.
- Your Stories: Scotland's Stories - Category for under-16s as well as adults. Write about real life experiences. Entries can be in any form you like – a story, poem, comic strip, play, video, audio file, or letter. Entries welcome in Gaelic, Scots and English.
Both competitions have deadlines in June 2022.
If you need some inspiration, try some of the creative tasks on the StoryCon webpage. StoryCon is Scotland's biggest creative writing and illustration conference for young people which returned in March this year. Recordings of events are available online for a limited time.
1 April 2022 (SCILT)
We're delighted to announce the entries from all the finalists of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition can now be viewed on the SCILT website.
For the first time judges awarded some special commendations for entries which very narrowly missed making the final shortlist and we have some of these also available online.
We hope many of you will be inspired to take part when the 2022-23 edition launches in the Autumn!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Linguistic Diversity,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
CISS NQ Mandarin offer 2022-2023
31 March 2022 (CISS)
CISS is happy to be able to share the first details of our offer of live-streamed Mandarin NQ classes for the upcoming 2022-2023 session. This will allow schools to expand their provision for Mandarin, particularly those who do not have access to a GTCS registered teacher of Mandarin and are therefore unable to offer NQ classes. The details in the attached document will allow these courses to be added to course choice forms. The offer consists of three courses: National 4, National 5, and Higher. The start date is tentatively scheduled for early to mid-June 2022.
Please see the attached document for further information and register your interest by Friday 8 April at this link: https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcG8IXkQ4ZLsTf
29 March 2022 (Institut français)
Spring term classes for adults will kick start on 19 April with general French classes, Translation club, Workshops, Literary classes and Lunch hour conversation.
Visit the website for full details and enrolment.
Read more...
29 March 2022 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow offers a range of opportunities to learn about French culture and the French language. Follow the relevant link below for more information on the latest offerings:
Information about the organisation's other activities can be found on their website.
Read more...
25 March 2022 (SCILT/CISS)
State schools in Scotland can apply for funding to employ a Mandarin teacher. So if you are interested in introducing Mandarin as part of your Modern Languages curriculum and want to find out more join the information session on 28 March, details are on the attached flyer.
Applicants wishing to be considered for our new round of funding for GTCS registered teachers of Mandarin Chinese should complete the short form before 5pm, Monday 16 May 2022.
Read more...
25 March 2022 (Glasgow Life)
Would you like to use your Gaelic in a creative way and have a go at script writing, acting, dancing or singing? Would you like to make Gaelic-speaking friends from across Glasgow? Here’s your chance to join a series of fun, informal workshops with drama professionals, for FREE!
From new speakers to fluent speakers, learners to choir singers, our community drama workshops are open to everyone with an interest in the Gaelic language.
Commencing 24 April, the series of workshops will run each Sunday through to 29 May 2022.
Visit the website to find out more and to book.
Read more...
Join Scotland’s National Languages Leadership Programme Team 2022-23!
25 March 2022 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Applications are now open for critical friends to support and challenge participants as they progress through the 2022-23 programme.
Description
Scotland's National Languages Leadership Programme supports local authorities by building capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all.
The critical friend role is suitable for people who:
- have experience of the national languages leadership programme i.e. 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme (2017-2022) or the Train the Trainer Programme (2014-2016), or
- are experienced in supporting teacher professional learning either online or face-to-face, preferably at Masters level, and
- wish to help build the languages leadership capacity in all sectors of Scottish education
As an online programme, Scotland’s National Languages Leadership Programme offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy. The programme provides participants with professional learning and networking opportunities as well as flexible and personalised pathways through Masters level professional learning.
Objectives of the programme are for participants to develop:
- an appreciation of leadership skills
- critical and strategic reflection on their own leadership development
- an understanding of a range of key issues related to Scotland’s Languages policy
Professional learning and support will be offered to critical friends throughout the year.
For more information, visit the registration page to find out how you can apply to join the LLP team as a critical friend by Tuesday 17 May. A Glow account is required to take part.
If you have any questions about applying for this role, please email scilt@strath.ac.uk and include ‘LLP Critical Friend’ in the subject line.
Online language NQ courses for school pupils with Edinburgh College
25 March 2022 (Edinburgh College)
Edinburgh College offers a range of online NQ language courses. These can be accessed across Scotland and all Scottish school pupils qualify for a full fee waiver. The courses provide a great option for pupils whose schools may not currently offer the language course on their curriculum.
The following options are available, with German and Italian new additions this year at Advanced Higher level:
- Advanced Higher and Higher: French, German, Italian and Spanish
- National 5: French, German and Spanish
Exam arrangements: Though enrolled with Edinburgh College, pupils still sit their exams at their own school (including the Adv Higher speaking exam).
See the attached flyer for more information and how to enrol.
Spanish film screenings
24 March 2022 (CinemaAttic)
CinemaAttic is an organisation dedicated to showcasing independent Ibero-American cinema in Scotland with regular events throughout the year in Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond.
We are increasing our efforts to make our programming accessible and relevant to as wide an audience as possible. Follow the relevant link below to find out more about the screenings taking place in the next week:
- Mighty Flash (Edinburgh Film House, 26 March 2022) - Destello Bravío is a mysterious, dark and suggestive story; far removed from traditional narrative approaches. It is a fictional work that draws from the documentary and codes of suspense, with notes of magical realism and surrealism. It deconstructs film genres, breaks away from the traditional tale and peeks into different everyday lives to describe a state of mind: the sentiment of inhabitants in a place in process of depopulation, focusing on its women. The film also broaches the search for beauty and the longing for childhood. In the background, and as the main cause of evil, the patriarchal system and the arrival of globalisation.
- Jordi's Letters (Glasgow Film Theatre, 31 March 2022) - the documentary about cerebral palsy is a poignant human story about illness, faith and the power of friendship.
24 March 2022 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Scotland's National Languages Leadership Programme supports local authorities by building capacity to achieve a sustainable model for leading language learning and teaching for all. Open to colleagues with 5 years' experience post probation or equivalent, who are interested in developing approaches to language learning and in implementing change in their own contexts, this might include: classroom teachers, principal teachers, heads of department, heads of faculty or languages lead practitioners.
This online programme is free of charge to state schools and offers participants the opportunity to engage with the most up-to-date information from Education Scotland and other agencies involved in the delivery of Scotland’s languages policy.
SCILT hosted an online information session on Tuesday 22 March. A recording of the session is now available to find out more about the programme and hear experiences of current participants.
Participants can visit the website for more information and to submit their application. Deadline date to submit applications is Monday 25 April.
Read more...
21 March 2022 (The Herald)
When it comes to Scottish tourism, castles, lochs, wildlife and whisky are usually touted as the main attractions.
But over the last few years interest has been growing in a different aspect of the country’s culture – the Gaelic language.
VisitScotland has seen a 72 per cent rise in website visitors seeking out Gaelic content over the last four years, with a particular peak during the 2020 lockdown.
And now the language is being viewed as an important part of the sector’s future as it looks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
This week sees the country celebrate the first ever World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig), with VisitScotland using the event to highlight the significant role the language plays in tourism and events.
Read more...
18 March 2022 (Scottish Book Trust)
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has today launched their Community Campfires residencies project. It marks the 14th year of Scottish Book Trust's annual Your Stories campaign and four intensive story making residencies will take place in communities across Scotland via the Story Wagon. The residencies are supported by EventScotland as part of Scotland's Year of Stories 2022.
The Story Wagon will tour: Garnock Valley, North Ayrshire; Greenock, Inverclyde; Lochgelly, Fife and the Western Isles, gathering real life stories from the public. Luke Winter, Navigation Officer of the Story Wagon, will be joined by a team of digital storytellers, filmmakers and podcasters producing content in English and Gaelic.
Visit the website for more information and tour dates from April to June 2022.
Read more...
18 March 2022 (SCILT/OU)
TeLT is the Teachers Learning to Teach Languages programme offered by the Open University in partnership with SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. This professional learning opportunity is aimed at educators working in the primary sector and carries GTCS Professional Recognition.
Students learn a language – French, German, Mandarin or Spanish - and in parallel, get to put primary language pedagogies into practice with their own pupils. The programme is offered at two levels – beginners and post-beginners. More information here about how the course works.
Registration for 2022-23 intake is now open. Enrolment closes 8 September. Modules begin in October. More details here on how to register.
Information sessions for local authority officers and prospective applicants will take place in May and June. Dates are to be confirmed.
Read more...
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Spanish,
Scotland,
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SCILT news
17 March 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT monthly drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student teachers working in Scotland.
In March, the Bitesize session focuses on the primary school and explores how language learning can be in incorporated into a Learning for Sustainability (LfS) context. We will hear how schools have been exploring the Global Goals in addition to key environmental issues such as plastic pollution and the place of languages within this.
Come and join us for a drop-in session to listen and discuss on Wednesday 30 March 2022, 4:00 - 4:45pm on Zoom.
Visit our Bitesize webpage for more information and to register.
Read more...
14 March 2022 (SQA)
The SQA has published updated revision support notes for learners of Advanced Higher modern languages.
Visit the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage. Updated documents can be found in the 2022 revision support for learners dropdown section.
Read more...
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Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA
8 March 2022 (BBC)
A large number of Gaelic language books have been found dumped in a skip in Oban.
Argyll and Bute Council is investigating why the books were thrown out near a building used by its education department.
Some of the books, which included children's literature and educational material, were new and still in their wrapping.
Read more...
4 March 2022 (Migration in Education)
We invite pupils and teachers to participate in this exciting competition that explores how we teach and learn about migration — creatively and with empathy. We live in a world that sees many people on the move, and our pupils may have been part of these experiences themselves. In schools, migration may make the topic of creative projects and classroom activities — a unique opportunity for pupils to learn from each other and about each other.
Through this competition, we want to bring forward the best and most creative ideas on teaching and learning about migrations in Scottish schools. We would like to hear about your teaching activities/practices and/or activities that may enable conversations about migration in schools – from language learning, literature, history, to personal experiences. The competition aims to acknowledge and make visible the cultural and linguistic diversity of Scottish primary and secondary schools. The purpose of this competition is to explore how to raise awareness and learn about migration, and move conversations beyond narrow and often negative stereotypes. We advocate and understand migration as a multifaceted and omnipresent fact of life, and hope that the submissions for this competition will reflect this vision.
Visit the competition webpage for more information and submit entries by 25 April 2022.
Read more...
3 March 2022 (The Courier)
It’s census season! And I for one couldnae be happier.
I dinnae think I’ve every actually filled ane o these before.
In 2011 I was out the country, and in 2001 I was but a callow youth, so the census task would have been Mammy Heather’s job. So it’s a thrill to finally participate.
And I actually had a totty wee role in putting this census thegither.
In a previous job, I worked to promote Scots language and culture north of the Tay.
I was called into meetings in Aberdeen with the group charged with putting together the language part of the census.
There were perhaps a dozen of us.
The census folk all came up fae the central belt, and brought in myself (at the time I was working for Aberdeen University) and several others interested in the Scots language.
They had nae idea of the culture, language, tensions around Scots, the nuances of different dialects, none of that.
None of them were Scots speakers. But they were really curious, and open to learning.
Read more...
1 March 2022 (Aye Can)
As part of Scotland's Census 2022 everyone living in Scotland will be asked if they can understand Scots, speak Scots, read Scots and write Scots. We will also be asked what our main language is.
This website is designed to help you assess your knowledge of Scots and answer these questions.
Read more...
26 February 2022 (Daily Record)
Youngsters at a Paisley Primary school have been celebrating the many different cultures of pupils by taking part in a top poetry competition which celebrates different languages from across the globe.
Three pupils from West Primary were selected for the final of the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition, which encourages children to share their experiences of their families culture and traditions in their families.
Sabina Rodrigues De La Rosa, Tanazzal Shah and Sabihah Tubasem were picked by judges for their poems written about their home countries which the school used to help teach their classmates about the variety of cultures within the school.
Read more...
Mandarin for BGE
25 February 2022 (CISS)
Do you want to include Mandarin in your school's curriculum but don't currently have the resources?
CISS is offering 10-week blocks of live-streamed language and culture classes commencing September 2022. Two courses are available, one for Primary learners, the other for S1-S3. To find out more about each, follow the relevant link:
Register interest by 18 March 2022.
22 February 2022 (RZSS)
The RZSS offers a variety of activities for schools. Bookings are now open for the following programmes:
Beyond the Panda
A 5-week progressive programme for P4-P7. Four weeks live virtual sessions and 5th week in person outreach. Bookings open now for sessions starting in August 2022. Over the 5 weeks pupils will learn about various Chinese animals, threats, solutions, some Chinese culture while also learning about the Mandarin language and Chinese characters. Key objectives are in the attached pdf.
Giants
This new live virtual session looks at two very different animals from two very different areas of the world and at two very different languages. The giant anteater from South America and the giant panda from China. The session will introduce some basic vocabulary in both Spanish and Mandarin and will be aimed at upper primary level. Suitable for any class already studying Spanish or Mandarin or both. Bookings open now for a limited number of sessions starting April 2022.
Further information for both programmes at beyondthepanda.org.uk
Read more...
MTOT 2021-22 - Winners announced!
21 February 2022 (SCILT)
Our awards event to announce the winning entries from this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition was held online today, to coincide with International Mother Language Day. It was a great celebration of the languages being spoken and learned in Scotland and we're delighted to announce the winners and highly commended runners-up in each category as follows:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Simon Cronje
|
Netherlee PS
|
Afrikaans
|
|
Highly commended
|
Fabian Choromanski
|
Gallowhill PS
|
Polish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Sabihah Tubasem
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lovelyn Asare
|
St Catherine’s PS
|
Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sabina Rodrigues da Rosa
|
West Primary
|
Brazilian Portuguese
|
|
Highly commended
|
Tanazzal Shah
|
West Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Zamin Amjad Sheikh
|
Netherlee PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Melice Monga Lubengi
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Marcel Zuk & Oskar Kolodziej
|
St Thomas of Aquin’s
|
Polish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Helen Joseph
|
Lourdes Secondary
|
Malaylam
|
|
Highly commended
|
Sarah Alradi
|
Craigmount High
|
Arabic
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Regina Wyllie
|
Loudoun Academy
|
Bulgarian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Camran Kouhy
|
Madras College
|
Farsi
|
|
Highly commended
|
Wiktoria Sapko
|
St Andrew’s Secondary
|
Polish
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Hayley Cowe
|
Westhill PS
|
Doric
|
|
Highly commended
|
P2 Class
|
Newcraighall PS
|
Spanish
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Lucia Conetta
|
Glasgow Academy
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Malaika Ali
|
Golfhill PS
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Grace Ross
|
Madras College
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Deepak Kumaar
|
Craigmount High
|
French & German
|
|
Highly commended
|
Caitlin Fraser
|
Arran High
|
French
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Brooklynn Faichnie
|
Aboyne Academy
|
French, Spanish & Italian
|
|
Highly commended
|
Iona Kellas
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Latin
|
|
Highly commended
|
Charlotte Reynolds
|
Aboyne Academy
|
Russian
|
All pupils will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy as well as the opportunity for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward. This year also saw a special award sponsored by the Dictionaries of the Scots Language for entries in Scots, which was awarded to Hayley Cowe, our P1-P4 Other Tongue winner!
It is our intention to host each of these poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
Easter study webinars - Call for language specialists
17 February 2022 (e-Sgoil)
As part of the National e-Learning Offer, e-Sgoil will be providing an Easter Study programme of webinars for over seventy courses. e-Sgoil is currently looking to recruit language specialists to deliver webinars on 7, 11 and 13 April. If you would like to contribute, or for further details, please contact Simon Hall, Depute Head Teacher at e-Sgoil, on simon.hall@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk. Learner registration for Easter Study webinars goes live on 28 February.
17 February 2022 (Seachdain na Gàidhlig)
‘Seachdain na Gàidhlig’, is the first official nationwide language and culture week to be held in Scotland, from 21-27 March 2022.
The week promotes Gaelic to all, both at official events and community initiatives, such as Irish Language Week in Ireland and Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia. It will enable Gaelic speakers and non-speakers to participate in a variety of ways that suit them; both in Scotland and abroad.
Visit the website for more information or see the flyer for ways to get involved.
Read more...
14 February 2022 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you a secondary German teacher in a school in Scotland? Would you like to practice speaking and keep up to date on current topics in German-speaking countries?
Then this conversation course is for you. We discuss a wide range of topics including current newspaper articles, radio programs and video clips from German television. You will be able to take away up-to-date materials and hopefully inspiration and many good ideas for your lessons.
The course also offers the opportunity for German teachers to network and exchange best practice examples.
Register by 7 March 2022 for the free online course.
Read more...
14 February 2022 (SQA)
Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance-talking visiting assessment guidance for centres has just been published.
Visit the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages page, Visiting Examining section for more information.
Read more...
8 February 2022 (The Herald)
At this time of year, we often think about changing careers so you may find Bòrd na Gàidhlig's new resource useful if you are considering a new career in teaching through the medium of Gaelic.
Following on from the commitments in the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-23 to recruit, retain and educate Gaelic teachers and to advertise Gaelic teaching as a career, Bòrd na Gàidhlig has created a new resource called a padlet. The padlet complements the existing General Teaching Council for Scotland's leaflet ‘So you want to teach in Gaelic?’.
Read more...
8 February 2022 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2022. To celebrate this milestone CISS is launching an interdisciplinary competition for secondary students across the nation to showcase their business, design and language skills.
We have set two categories which students can choose from and encourage school departments - be that business, design technology or languages - to support and encourage interested students as they develop their pitch.
See the attached flyer and visit the competition webpage for more information. Submit entries by 27 May 2022.
Read more...
4 February 2022 (TES)
The Scottish government's policy is that children should start learning their first additional language when they start school in P1 and then start learning another language from P5. The government says "language learning is an entitlement for all from P1 to S3".
This is known as the 1+2 languages policy, since the expectation is that pupils will learn two languages, as well as their mother tongue.
But to what extent is this long-established policy - which the government originally pledged to fully implement by the beginning of this school year (August 2021) - a reality in Scottish schools?
To mark Languages Week Scotland 2022, we take a look at the data.
Read more...
3 February 2022 (SCILT)
SCILT monthly drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student teachers working in Scotland. Drop-ins are an opportunity to share your thoughts on that month’s bitesize resource and/or share your own experience on the theme.
In February 2022, we’re looking at how we can gather evidence to support our judgments about learner progress. We will be joined by Lisa Waygood, Faculty Head of Ancient and Modern Languages at St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm. Come along on 23 February and share your experiences of evidence gathering in your context. What works well? Or not?
Visit our Bitesize webpage to find out more and to register for the event.
Read more...
28 January 2022 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland)
Following on from the inaugural French essay competition in 2021, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland wish again to award an essay prize in 2022 to commemorate the long life and work of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon and her service to the Franco-Scottish Community.
This competition is aimed at Advanced Higher learners of French. This year, we would like you to reflect on the changes that you would like to see happen within your lifetime. All essay submissions must present a reflection on society in France and Scotland.
The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £500, and their essay will also be published in the annual Bulletin of the Franco-Scottish Society. Two runner-up prizes of £100 will be awarded by SCILT.
- A maximum of three entries can be submitted from each school. Register your interest for your school to get involved by 5pm on 25 February.
Visit the Eventbrite webpage for further information and how to register.
Read more...
27 January 2022 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Taking place 2-13 March 2022, the Glasgow Film Festival offers a wide-ranging programme that celebrates every corner of world cinema and provides a fantastic showcase for the best of Scottish film. This year's Festival also includes African Stories, a special strand celebrating the rich diversity of life in countries across Africa.
Visit the GFF website for full programme details. There's a great range of foreign language films to choose from!
Read more...
27 January 2022 (SEET)
Have you signed up to take part in SEET's Euroquiz this year? There may still be time to register your team. Please visit our website or email jane@seet.org.uk for more information.
About Euroquiz
Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, sport, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from February to April, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
Read more...
20 January 2022 (Scottish Education Awards)
The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Nominations in each of the award categories, which includes the Gaelic Education Award, are now invited.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information and submit nominees by 23 February 2022.
Read more...
27 December 2021 (Eminetra/FT)
When John Finlayson was growing, almost everyone in his community on Skye was fluent in Gaelic. Despite decades of official support for what was once the dominant language in most of Scotland’s highlands and islands, Finlayson is now the only neighbour of the island family’s croft that speaks it.
Read more...
CISS Chinese New Year Poster Competition 2022
17 December 2021 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools has announced a competition to celebrate the forthcoming year of the tiger! The competition is open to all primary schools in Scotland and the winner will be selected by CISS staff.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY - entries submitted by email will not be accepted.
Deadline for entries: Friday 21 January 2022.
DETAILS:
Design a poster to celebrate the Year of the Tiger!
- Make sure to include the tiger in some way.
- Include what you know or have learnt about Chinese language and culture.
- Entries can be handmade (a high quality photo or scan of entry) or designed on the computer/tablet etc.
The winning entry will receive a prize and be featured online, and the poster will be used as the CISS Chinese New Year e-card!
17 December 2021 (CISS)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools is delighted to publish the brand new Winter 2021 Newsletter, featuring news and updates from CISS projects, Confucius Classroom Hubs, Chinese Exchange Teachers and more updates on Mandarin learning across Scotland.
Read more...
17 December 2021 (SCILT)
Congratulations again to everyone who took part in our recent Words for the World competition.
Following our recent awards ceremony, and the announcement of the winners’ names, we are now delighted to be able to publish the winning, highly commended and remaining finalist entries in each category. We are sure that you will agree that the linguistic diversity, creativity and passion that they all show is both impressive and inspiring.
Read more...
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SCILT news
Mind Games: Cracking Code in Maths and Languages
20 January 2022 (SCILT)
Two mind-bending workshops are scheduled for in-service and student teachers during Languages Week Scotland 2022.
We are aware that Mathematics underpins all STEM subjects, but have you ever thought there are connections between learning mathematics and learning a language?
Join mathematicians and linguists from the University of Edinburgh to explore the topic further.
During the interactive workshops you will have a go at some puzzles and activities at the interface between Mathematics and Linguistics. Together we will explore how language works and where Maths comes into play.
You will have a chance to discuss with Mathematicians and Linguists about similarities between their subjects. You will takeaway practical ideas for your classroom to show how these different disciplines can be interconnected.
The activities we are going to use are mainly aimed at children older than 10 years. However, the approach can be applied to all year groups.
Attendance is free of charge and the event will be hosted online on Zoom.
More information and registration for the appropriate workshop via the links below:
Posted in:
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SCILT news,
STEM,
LWS
14 December 2021 (University of Strathclyde/SCILT)
The Language Ambassadors are back……and they have gone VIRTUAL!
Get your learners involved to discover the joys of learning and being able to use another language by organising a Virtual Language Ambassadors visit to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian or Spanish, on various degrees, including BA Honours in French and Spanish, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language but also Engineering and Science degrees.
This programme is free of charge and provides student role models to promote languages to young people and encourage your learners to choose languages as part of their high school curriculum.
We can deliver a range of activities online, such as:
- A virtual presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
Visit our website to find out more, and how to book a virtual visit for your school!
If you have any questions about The Language Ambassadors programme, please contact Cédric Moreau.
Read more...
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S1-S3,
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French,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Ambassadors,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations
3 December 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT launched our latest toolkit at two events this week, one for young people and one for parents/carers/teachers. The toolkit and events are part of our three-year Generation Global project, which seeks to address the gap in intercultural and language skills that we have in this country.
In the preceding two years of the project, we have published toolkits to support business leaders and careers advisers/school managers. This latest toolkit 'Making your future brighter with languages' is designed to give young people, parents and carers information, ideas and advice about learning languages; why it is important and how to go about it. As well as this, the toolkit includes a series of short video clips of young professionals talking about the relevance and value of languages and intercultural skills in their career areas. All of this aims to support the young people who are our ‘Generation Global’, our dual-competency workforce of the future.
The launch events this week were recorded, and recordings will be available on our website shortly.
Access the toolkit
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30 November 2021 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is running online Revision Courses in February for pupils who are due to sit their Higher and Advanced Higher oral examinations in 2022.
Visit their website for more information and to book.
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30 November 2021 (Twinkl/SCILT/Bilingualism Matters)
What does it mean to be bilingual? Bilingualism is knowing more than one language and the way it affects us is far from simple! Find out all about the different ways we can be bilingual, the effects of bilingualism and some of the benefits to us all with our amazing resources developed for use at First Level alongside the experts at Bilingualism Matters, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, and our teacher team here at Twinkl. The resources are available in English and Gaelic for use in GME contexts and are an ideal way to start celebrating the linguistic landscape in your school.
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27 November 2021 (The National)
A qualification for British Sign Language (BSL) should be introduced into the Scottish curriculum, SNP delegates agreed.
More children should be taught BSL in primary and secondary schools as well as promoting the job as a BSL interpreter as a career pathway could help plug the current gaps.
Brian Ferguson, South Lanarkshire councillor, was the first deaf BSL user elected to a council in Scotland.
He told delegates, through BSL, that despite there being an estimated 6000 deaf BSL users in Scotland who need interpreting services, there are only around 50 to 60 interpreters.
This means there is one interpreter for every 109 deaf BSL users.
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Words for the World competition winners!
26 November 2021 (SCILT)
Congratulations to everyone who took part in our Words for the World competition.
The standard of entries was incredibly high, with a wide range of formats submitted and an array of languages. We can be proud of the linguistic diversity we have here in Scotland and the creativity and passion our young people demonstrated for protecting our planet, our humanity and creating a brighter future for us all. We were truly humbled and inspired by their work.
Judging proved exceptionally difficult, but we were delighted to announce the winning entries at an online awards event last week. Well done again to the following who were successful in their respective categories and thank you to every pupil who participated in the competition.
P1-P4
- Winner - Leena Valluri, Goodlyburn Primary
- Highly commended - The Glasgow Academy Newlands & Milngavie class entry
P5-P7
- Winner - Zofia Zajac, St Patrick's Primary
- Highly commended - Sophie McGrath, St Vincent's Primary
- Highly commended - Tristan Naylor, Hyndland Primary
S1-S3
- Winner - Oriana Strahan, Largs Academy
- Highly commended - Deepak Krisna Kummar, Craigmount High
S4-S6
- Winner - Daniel Smith, Alva Academy
- Highly commended - Aiman Mohammad, Renfrew High
23 November 2021 (Scottish Book Trust)
We’re on the lookout for talented young folk aged 11–18 writing and creating in Scots.
Are you a Scots writer with stories to share? Or a teacher working with young writers we should know about? Enter the Young Scots Writer o the Year Award.
We’re looking for stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing – we want to see it all, as long as it’s in Scots and under 1000 words or five minutes.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information. Submissions accepted until 24 June 2022.
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23 November 2021 (University of Dundee)
At the University of Dundee, we have a long-established tradition of language teaching, both with students at the University and via distance learning. We offer the opportunity of learning languages at various levels via Distance learning. We use a combination of online tools to give students a range of experiences in the language. Experienced staff are responsible for the course design, delivery and student support.
Short Courses:
- If you are interested in starting to learn a new language, you could enrol in our 25-Week Intensive distance learning courses (Languages modules offered in Chinese, French, Gaelic, German and Spanish). These courses start in the week commencing 10 January 2022. Registration is now open.
- If you already have some knowledge of Chinese, French, Gaelic, German or Spanish, such as a rusty Higher, GCSE, or O-level, then you may consider enrolling in the 10-week revision languages courses. These courses start in the week commencing 25 April 2022. 10-Week Revision Courses. Registration is now open.
2-Year online French, German and Spanish Graduate Diplomas
These 2-Year Graduate Diplomas by Distance Learning for part-time study are accredited by the General Teaching Council for Scotland. They are ideally suited for Secondary MFL teachers seeking an additional qualification in French, German or Spanish, and also attract a wide range of professionals from across Britain, Europe and beyond.
The Graduate Diplomas aim to provide the challenges of an undergraduate curriculum in the relevant language. At the end of their studies, students achieve an advanced understanding and knowledge of the language being studied.
Through an interdisciplinary process (Teaching Spanish in addition to French for example) and by interacting and exchanging ideas with other students from other parts of the UK, Europe and Overseas, students will be able to develop a critical understanding of their practice and education as a whole.
The Graduate Diplomas carry a rating of 120 SCOTCAT points (SCQF Levels 9-10). The qualification outcome is bench-marked at C1 in the Council of Europe Reference Framework for Languages. Applicants will normally have a pass at Higher level (or equivalent) in the language. This level can be achieved through completion of one of the University of Dundee‘s Distance Learning Intensive or Revision courses Languages | University of Dundee.
The diplomas place emphasis on reflection, inquiry, critical analysis, personal consideration of research findings and actively promotes the values, principles and practices of equality, social justice, integrity, trust and respect, and professional commitment in all areas of work.
Registration of the 2022-2024 Graduate Diplomas (2-Year part-time French , German and Spanish graduate-level diploma courses) is now open. The diplomas start in the week commencing 26 September 2022.
For more information visit the University of Dundee website, or to discuss any aspects of the courses or your application , please contact humanities@dundee.ac.uk.
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12 November 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT monthly drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student teachers working in Scotland. Drop-ins are an opportunity to share your thoughts on that month’s bitesize resource and/or share your own experience on the theme.
In November 2021, we are looking at how we can combine employability and language skills in the primary classroom. Come along on 24 November to share your ideas and hear what others do too!
Our special guests will be Leanne Duncan, PT at Danestone Primary School, Aberdeen City and Christina MacGregor, P4-7 GME Teacher at Goodlyburn Primary School, Perth & Kinross. Leanne and Christina will tell us about the last year’s achievements by their pupils with activities that integrated languages and employability skills. The languages taught across the two schools are Gaelic, English, French and Chinese.
Find out more, along with the registration link, on our Bitesize webpage.
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9 November 2021 (SQA)
SQA is currently recruiting additional Visiting Assessors (VAs) of Advanced Higher Modern Languages performance-talking. VAs who have previously carried out this role do not need to reapply.
We would welcome applications for the following languages:
- French
- Gaelic (Learners)
- German
- Mandarin (Simplified)
- Spanish
VAs will receive training/support and will complete a training exercise prior to attending a briefing event on Saturday 29 January 2022 in Glasgow.
Centre visits (dependent on Scottish Government health guidance) will be completed throughout mid-February to late March 2022. Up to 5 release days may be required to fulfil this role (number of release days is flexible).
Release fees and/or own time fees would be paid, as well as travel expenses.
Further detail, including selection criteria, is available via the link below, where you can submit your application. Deadline: 12 December.
If you need any further information, please contact elaine.clusker@sqa.org.uk.
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Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA
9 November 2021 (SQA)
Visiting assessing documents have been added for modern languages subjects at Advanced Higher.
Visit the SQA Modern Languages Advanced Higher webpage for more information.
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5 November 2021 (SCILT)
If you missed any part of this event, then we have good news for you! Materials are now available on our website to view at your own leisure, including video presentations from Keynote speaker, Joanna McPake, Reader in Education at the University of Strathclyde and Plenary speakers, Dr Łukasz Lutostański, Consul General and Sylwia Spooner, Head of Cultural Affairs at the Polish Consulate in Edinburgh. The event welcomed language leaders and practitioners to share thoughts, ideas, good practice and discuss the challenges we face in embedding L3 into our curricula, including information on the newly launched 10 Steps to Polish Programme, run in conjunction with SCILT.
PowerPoint presentations used from facilitated discussions, including testimonials and speaker biographies are also available to view and will be of interest to the language teaching community.
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
1+2,
Curriculum for Excellence,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news
25 October 2021 (SQA)
Understanding Standards resources published for National 5 to Advanced Higher Modern Languages in session 2020-21 have been updated for session 2021-22.
The resources for Modern Languages are available on SQA Understanding Standards website.
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25 October 2021 (SCHOLAR)
SCHOLAR is hoping to supplement the work of e-Sgoil by covering some areas which they do not. We are offering online homework sessions for Higher German and National 5 French, German and Spanish. The sessions should help prepare learners for dealing with Reading, Directed Writing and Listening. The sessions will be on Mondays at 6pm.
Led by Douglas Angus, our online tutor, the first session will be:
- Monday 1 November 2021 - Higher Reading and Translation. The sessions are interactive, and for Higher a dictionary would be useful to have handy!
- Monday 8 November 2021 - Reading at National 5 for French, German and Spanish.
Access is through the SCHOLAR website, but no registration is needed to join in!
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7 October 2021 (SQA)
Recruitment for new markers who would like to be considered for a marking team for 2022 is now underway.
A Marker marks candidates’ work in line with detailed marking instructions and in accordance with SQA policy and procedures. The prime role is to ensure consistent application of national standards when marking candidate submission(s).
Opportunities are available across all subjects and levels, and full training will be provided.
Visit the SQA website for more information and apply by 19 December 2021.
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7 October 2021 (e-Sgoil / Fèisean nan Gàidheal)
Beairteas is an intergenerational programme to match community-based fluent Gaelic speakers with schools and community groups.
In partnership with e-Sgoil, three sessions are planned during October and November 2021 giving S1-S6 pupils the opportunity to listen to some of our best known Gaelic personalities talk about their lives and interests. Pupils will also have an opportunity to join in the conversation and ask questions which will help to develop their own Gaelic.
Visit the Fèisean nan Gàidheal website for more information and to register for the sessions.
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5 October 2021 (SCILT)
‘We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world.’ (Malala Yousafzai)
Are you looking for a way to engage your language learners to think about global issues ahead of the COP26 summit in November? Inspired by Malala’s words, our Words for the World competition could be just what you need! SCILT is challenging learners to use their words and their languages to show how the world could be a better place.
More information about the competition is available on our Words for the World webpage. The entry deadline is 25 October 2021. If you'd like to upload submissions to the Words for the World MS Team, please contact us and provide your Glow email address. Please note, the competition is only open to schools in Scotland.
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
SCILT news
4 October 2021 (BBC)
Gaelic speakers of African and Caribbean descent have shared their experiences of the language in a new BBC Alba documentary.
Glaswegian student and musician Cass Ezeji says some people she meets think it is unusual she is fluent in Gaelic and also has African heritage. Her paternal grandfather is Nigerian.
Growing up, Cass went to the Glasgow Gaelic School, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, which teaches at both primary and secondary school levels.
Cass' parents, who do not speak Gaelic, chose the school because they thought she would get a good education there.
But Cass says she felt "a little lost" in immersive Gaelic-medium education, and among peers whose families were from the Highlands and Islands - the Western Isles are Gaelic's "heartland".
She says she argued with her mum about having to go to the school, and even felt angry about it.
The 27-year-old says: "The impression I had when I left school was that I didn't feel part of the Gaelic world.
"I didn't see myself represented in the culture so there was something of a disconnect."
But she says she has since gained an appreciation of her education and describes herself as an Afro-Gael.
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1 October 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce Espacios Increíbles is back for its 3rd year and it is bigger and better than before! We are looking for lots of budding architects and designers from S2 and S3 to take part in our Spanish competition to create an ‘Amazing Space.’
This competition combines aspects of design with Spanish language skills as they present their Espacio Increíble to a panel of judges and a live audience. Espacios Increíbles is a great way of introducing your pupils to different career pathways open to them when they study a language and encouraging uptake of Spanish in the Senior Phase.
To find out more visit our Espacios Increíbles webpage and register your school’s interest, by Monday 8 November.
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30 September 2021 (SCILT)
Our multilingual poetry competition offers schools and learners the opportunity to use their language skills creatively, by producing an original poem, song or rap in a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). With a focus on the spoken word, entries are invited in video or audio format.
Teachers, help us find the next generation of multilingual poets! The deadline to register your school is 7 October 2021 (National Poetry Day), and all entries should be submitted by 3 December 2021.
Visit our MTOT webpage for full details and to sign-up.
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
28 September 2021 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you a secondary school teacher of German teaching at a school in Scotland? Would you like to practice your conversational skills and keep yourself up-to-date with current affairs in German speaking countries?
This conversation course will be right for you. We will be discussing a wide range of topics based on current newspaper articles, radio programmes and clips from German television. You will be taking away up-to-date materials and, hopefully, inspiration and lots of good ideas for your classroom.
The free online course will be held over Zoom between October 2021 and February 2022.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more details and to register by 4 October 2021.
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26 September 2021 (The National)
Scottish celebrities, artists, and speakers gathered in Dundee for the Scots Language Awards on Saturday.
The audience attended Broughty Ferry’s Gardyne Theatre for the first time since before lockdown.
They were treated to interviews with the winners of 13 awards, and writer, broadcaster and National columnist Alistair Heather hosted the evening.
Poet and social media star Len Pennie introduced live performances from Victoria McNulty, Anna Stewart, Cameron Nixon, Alison Miller, and Ellie Beaton. Public voting on the nominees was open from September 6 to 19 with a record number of votes cast.
The awards recognise the heroic efforts and work of the people and organisations who all champion Scots’ unique culture, music and words.
Cabinet Secretary for Scotland’s Languages Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These awards demonstrate that Scots is a vital part of this country’s cultural identity, and it is crucial we encourage and nurture the creativity of those who speak the language.”
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24 September 2021 (Consejería de Educación)
The 8th edition of ESFF is taking place 1st-10th October in person and 14th-17th October online.
We want to shine a light on the best Spanish language cinema and TV and we are thrilled to be able to bring everyone back together, in the cinema. Our aim is to show a broad range of all different genres of films and so the festival will feature a selection of regional productions including: Ane (David Pérez Sañudo), representing Basque cinema, and Chavalas (Carol Rodriguez Colás) will be providing a glimpse in Catalan cinema. Interspersed with these will be the new TV series Maricón Perdido (Bob Pop) and the highly acclaimed Mientras dure la guerra (Alejandro Amenábar).
To immerse yourself even more in the programme, make sure to check out the Q&As and panel discussions taking place throughout the festival. We are privileged to be joined by a number of leading academics including: Professor Nuria Capdevila-Argüelles (University of Exeter) who will present the audio-visual project, Cartas Vivas, in which women's voices from the 20th century are brought to life, embodied by leading actresses from the Spanish-speaking world.
We are also proud to commemorate the centenary of Luis García Berlanga with a screening of El Verdugo and A conversation with Spain. This will be followed by a round table discussion to highlight the importance of Berlanga, both in cinema and the cultural legacy he has left us.
School programme of the ESFF includes the film “Klaus” (Primary) and “Los Lobos” (Secondary).
For more information and to book tickets visit the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival website.
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22 September 2021 (Glasgow Times)
British Sign Language (BSL) classes should be available to members of Glasgow City Council according to councillors who are campaigning to support those with hearing impairments.
The importance of sign language has been in the spotlight over the past year, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon having a BSL interpreter for all her briefings during the Covid pandemic.
As it stands there are just 50 BSL interpreters for the whole of Scotland, and while the council is committed to providing training for workers in key sectors, it was not clear if councillors could be provided with help learning to sign.
Earlier this week members of the general purposes committee asked if councillors and council staff could have the opportunity to attend a BSL class to help them communicate more effectively with their constituents.
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21 September 2021 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
The Scottish Gaelic Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
The Daily Record, alongside headline sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig are proud to host the most prestigious night of the year within the Gaelic community calendar. Celebrating Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage. The awards will take place on 16 November 2021 and nominations are now open!
Visit the website for information about the award categories and to submit your nomination.
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21 September 2021 (Maths Week Scotland)
Maths Week Scotland takes place 27 September - 3 October 2021!
Every day during Maths Week Scotland a new puzzle is set from the Scottish Mathematical Council. Inspired by the annual Mathématiques sans Frontières contest, the Maths wi nae Borders mini-competition contains a language element and is for any class to complete together.
Visit the Maths Week Scotland website for full details and to download a competition pack (available from 27 September 2021).
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21 September 2021 (SQA)
The SQA has published Advanced Higher Modern Languages Portfolio Answer Booklets. These can be found under the Coursework section of the SQA's AH Modern Languages webpage.
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Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA
20 September 2021 (Stornoway Gazette)
A new collection of short videos that encourages visitors to experience and explore the Gaelic culture of the Outer Hebrides is now available online.
The six videos – produced for Outer Hebrides Tourism with the support of VisitScotland, CaMac and Bord na Gàidhlig – were developed in collaboration with local communities and community groups, and take viewers on a virtual journey through the islands, from the land raiders of Vatersay to the crofters of Ness.
The Gazette’s sister paper, The Scotsman, will be running features on Gaelic culture that link to the themes in the videos in their online edition this month.In each video, one or more islanders are interviewed in Gaelic, about a different aspect of island culture and their own personal connection with the language. Those with little or no Gaelic can follow the English subtitles.
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Evening language courses at Dundee
17 September 2021 (University of Dundee)
Registration for the following year-long courses at the University of Dundee is now open until 27 September 2021:
- French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, and British Sign Language (BSL).
For more information, please visit: https://www.dundee.ac.uk/languages/courses/forall/
To register please go to: https://www.buyat.dundee.ac.uk/short-courses/languages-for-all
If you have any queries, please contact: Veronique Malcolm : v.malcolm@dundee.ac.uk
16 September 2021 (FilmG)
FilmG is MG ALBA’s Gaelic short film competition which is delivered by Cànan Graphics Studio, the multi-media company based on the Isle of Skye. FilmG was launched in 2008 in order to develop new talent for the Gaelic channel BBC ALBA which was launched in the same year. Over this time it has received more than 700 short films and seen many young people begin their careers in Gaelic television broadcasting.
This year's FilmG is now open for entries. In the Youth category the competition is open to high school classes, independent filmmakers, and primary schools. High school Gaelic classes across Scotland can also take up the offer of 2 day filmmaking workshops to support entrants.
Visit the FilmG website for more information and get entries in by 13 December 2021.
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Turkish and Turkish culture courses starting soon
16 September 2021 (Turkish Consulate General Edinburgh)
The Office of the Education Attaché of the Turkish Consulate General in Edinburgh is now launching a programme aiming to teach children and adults some basic language skills such as reading, writing, speaking and listening in Turkish, and the Turkish culture.
The language programme is going to be conducted by expert teachers and offered for free. The courses will be held alongside the school terms in Scotland and will be supplemented by social, cultural and other educational activities whenever possible.
The courses will be offered to the children of Turkish families living in Scotland, the Northern Ireland and the North of England (including York). Our classes will be held face-to-face in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and start online in other cities.
If there are any other locations that has not been mentioned and if you are interested attending please do fill in the application form with your requirements and we will try and accommodate the request via online courses.
If you are Interested please fill in the attached form and send it to edinburgea@gmail.com.
After receiving applications, the Education Attaché’s Office will announce the timetable and the venues for the courses.
Students between the ages of 6 and 16 will be able to attend our courses however should there be a demand for different age groups this will also be considered.
Should you have any enquires please contact us at edinburgea@gmail.com.
16 September 2021 (The Doric Board)
The richness and diversity of the North East’s Doric culture is set to receive a funding boost, thanks to the launch of the Doric Board New Year Awards 2022.
The Doric Board has just opened up the third annual awards to applications from projects which celebrate the region’s exceptional heritage of Doric language, music, ballad, song, story, history, lore – and the creativity of those who live and work in the area.
Once again, grants of up to £1000 will be made available to applicants who reside in the North East to assist in the funding of projects which comply with the Board’s objectives - the promotion of the language, traditions and culture of the North-east of Scotland.
The scheme is part of the founding aim of the Doric Board and was created with the support of the Scottish Government to develop and support a sustainable, dynamic future for Doric as a vibrant language.
The Doric Board (North-East Tradition and Language - NETAL) aims to be a powerful voice for social and economic regeneration, and a driver towards a national Scots language board. Earlier this year, it also spearheaded the first annual Doric Phrase Week which used the power of online and social media technology to get the public on board and submit favourite phrases and anecdotes which were shared a sizeable, global audience.
Commenting on the launch of the 2022 Doric Board New Year Awards, Doric Board chair Frieda Morrison said: “The lengths our applicants went to in realising their projects this year and last year are a clear illustration of the unwavering support which exists for the language and culture.
“We hope that the launch of the 2022 New Year Awards will inspire applications which represent the wealth of pride and passion there is for Doric, and we are excited to see the diverse range of projects which might benefit from our help.”
Applications should be emailed to The Doric Board by 12th December 2021. Funds will be made available to successful applicants the in mid-January 2022.
To find out more, visit the website at www.doricboard.com or email info@doricboard.com.
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16 September 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT monthly drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student primary teachers working in Scotland. Drop-ins are an opportunity to share your thoughts on that month’s Bitesize resource and/or share your own experience on the theme.
In September 2021, we’re looking at language learning in the Early Years and exploring the use of creative puppetry to support this. So join the drop-in on 29 September, share your ideas and experiences and hear what others do too!
Find out more, along with the registration link, on our Bitesize webpage.
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16 September 2021 (Press and Journal)
One of Scotland’s first Gaelic gardens will be created at Inverness Castle.
The garden is part of a plan to showcase Gaelic language and culture in the ambitious castle redevelopment.
Members of the Highland Council Gaelic committee warmly welcomed the proposals at today’s meeting.
Chairman Allan Henderson said: “It’s an impressive project and I can certainly see when the next Mod comes to Inverness, the massed choirs up there on the esplanade in an area to rival the Edinburgh Festival Tattoo any time.”
You’d be forgiven for wondering what makes a garden Gaelic.
High Life Highland, which is leading the project for the council, say the plants chosen have stories that link back to Gaelic medicines, religion and traditions.
Gaelic phrases and alphabet will be set into the stone, helping to tell the story of the ancient culture.
Elsewhere, a ‘seanchaidh’ (traditional Gaelic storyteller) will welcome visitors to the castle and allow them to discover stories from all over Highland.
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16 September 2021 (Glasgow Filmhouse)
Glasgow Filmhouse is delighted to be re-opening its doors to schools with an engaging programme of films for all ages and stages. As well as welcoming regular partners such as the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival, French Film Festival UK and Into Film, the Filmhouse will be showcasing films picked by the education team to mark Black History Month, COP 26 and to celebrate Christmas!
Visit the website for more information about the programme for schools and to book screenings.
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14 September 2021 (e-Sgoil)
During Autumn 2021 e-Sgoil is offering a programme of real time interactive Study Support Webinars.
A variety of subjects are on offer at different levels from National 4 to Advanced Higher.
The webinars include sessions for students of French, Spanish and Gaelic. Classes have just started so there's still time for pupils to register.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for more information.
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Masters study opportunity for LLP/TTT and TeLT alumni
10 September 2021 (SCILT/University of Strathclyde)
Four questions for Scottish primary and secondary teachers:
- Are you interested in developing yourself professionally and academically through Masters study?
- Have you been a participant on the Education Scotland/SCILT course called Languages Leadership Programme (LLP, previously known as Train the Trainer) within the last five years?
- Have you been a student on the Open University/SCILT programme called Teachers Learning to Teach Languages in Primary School (TeLT) within the last five years?
- Were you awarded GTCS Professional Recognition from either of these programmes?
If the answer is yes, then you are eligible to accredited prior learning (APL) to the tune of 20 Masters credits, enabling you to transfer onto Masters in Education (MEd) pathways at the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde.
The award of GTCS Professional Recognition from these programmes gives access to the following pathways:
Interested?
For the MEd Education Studies route contact Angela De Britos angela.de-britos@strath.ac.uk
For the MEd Educational Leadership route contact Joanna Holmes joanna.holmes@strath.ac.uk
6 September 2021 (RZSS)
P1-P3 Two live virtual sessions available after the October break until December but only on Thursdays. Advisable to book now as limited places. Choose from 'Intro to the giant panda' or 'I can see, hear, smell, taste and touch'. Both are based around the giant panda and include some basic Mandarin language learning. Limited places. Contact Sandie Robb - srobb@rzss.org.uk for further details and booking.
P4-P7 Seven week progressive programme through live virtual sessions. Book now for delivery in January to March 2022 (already fully booked for 2021). Covers many topics on China, its wildlife, endangered species and culture. Ideal for L3 Mandarin or China topic. Includes some basic Mandarin language learning. Key objectives are on the flyer. Limited places. Contact Sandie Robb - srobb@rzss.org.uk for further details and booking.
All sessions are delivered on Microsoft Teams within GLOW. Enabled by our partnership with CISS and eSgoil.
Further details and additional resources can be found on the Beyond the Panda website.
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Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival: programme for schools
6 September 2021 (Consejería de Educación)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival is back for its eight edition and would like to invite you once again to participate in the School Programme aimed at Spanish Learning students.
Due to COVID-19, we are changing the regular format to a Hybrid Event. This means we will be offering two films tailored to Primary and Secondary schools.
Please see attached the information about the films and a pre-recorded virtual workshop by Intersect Madrid for secondary schools.
3 September 2021 (SCILT)
We are delighted to announce the launch of MTOT 2021-22! This competition offers schools and learners the opportunity to use their language skills creatively, by producing an original poem, song or rap in a language they speak at home (Mother Tongue) or are learning at school (Other Tongue). We are continuing our focus on the spoken word, so entries can be in video or audio format.
Last year, despite all the challenges, MTOT went from strength to strength, and the creativity shown by all those who entered was truly uplifting. Our winners were featured on the Kid’s Poetry Club podcast, and MTOT now has its own dedicated section on the UK Children’s Poetry Archive. As if that wasn’t enough, this year we are also partnering with the Dictionaries of the Scots Language, who are offering a special prize for winning entries in Scots.
Whatever your language, we want you to find your voice and share it with us. We can’t wait to see what this year’s young poets will produce!
Teachers should register interest by 7 October 2021 (National Poetry Day), and all entries will be submitted by 3 December 2021.
Visit our MTOT webpage for full details.
Read more...
2 September 2021 (Napier University)
World Wide Napier, the magazine in foreign languages designed by language students to encourage language studies, is currently looking for contributions in French, German and Spanish for issue eight of the publication. The next issue's overarching theme is 'Revolution'. Pick a subject associated with revolution and turn it into an engaging article.
Students at secondary school, college or university are invited to submit contributions by email by 10 November 2021.
Visit the World Wide Napier website for more information and submission guidelines.
Read more...
31 August 2021 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based filmmaking project for S3 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Teams of 4 (S3-S6) design a storyboard which outlines the film they propose to make. This year's films will explore the idea of global citizenship, must include the use of a language other than English, and should touch on the theme of the Sustainable Development Goals. Each team must choose at least one of the 17 SDGs to focus their film on.
Registration for the 2021-22 project is now open - https://ourworldproject.wufoo.com/forms/z1fa1wdl0fdqs2a/
Visit the SEET website for more information and register to take part.
Read more...
French Workshops for Higher and Advanced Higher
24 August 2021 (Edinburgh College)
With funding from the Franco-Scottish Society, Edinburgh College is pleased to offer free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils, which will be delivered from September 2021. Their aim is to provide additional support to pupils who get limited time for speaking practice so that they feel more confident for their speaking exam. Open to any Higher or Advanced Higher French pupil who would benefit from additional input, wherever they are in Scotland.
Follow the appropriate link below for further information and an application form:
23 August 2021 (Press and Journal)
A new fund is giving island communities a financial incentive to speak Gaelic more and help save the language.
The Gaelic Community Fund is being piloted in the Highlands, the Western Isles and Argyll and Bute.
It aims to encourage innovative ways to increase use of the language in its heartland.
Set up by Community Land Scotland (CLS), with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig, it is mainly targeting community-owned areas.
Read more...
16 August 2021 (SQA)
Visit the SQA website for the updated Advanced Higher Modern Languages course overview for session 2021-22.
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16 August 2021 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society)
The Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland, in partnership with SCILT (Scotland's National Centre for Languages), established an essay prize in honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community and to mark her one hundredth birthday.
Pupils from across Scotland took part in the competition and produced a high quality of essays. The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held by Zoom on Tuesday 15 June 2021. A recording of this, along with a list of the winning entries, is now available on the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland website.
Read more...
12 July 2021 (The Times)
For decades police chiefs have recruited Highlanders and Islanders, often Gaels, to keep order in Scotland’s cities, but now they are trying to find out how many are left in their ranks.
Police Scotland have carried out a Gaelic audit to calculate how many officers and staff speak the language — and how many it, ideally, would need to do so.
Read more...
11 July 2021 (Grampian Online)
BBC presenters and social media stars Joy Dunlop and Calum Maclean are to lead SpeakGaelic, a new language learning initiative aiming to transform take up of the language.
SpeakGaelic’s exciting and ambitious new Gaelic learning resources will provide a comprehensive framework for Gaelic language learning across TV, iPlayer, BBC Sounds, web, face-to-face classes, YouTube and other social media to attract and inspire learners and speakers.
Read more...
2 July 2021 (Press and Journal)
Today marks one year since a study was published warning that Gaelic was at risk of collapse within a decade.
The Gaelic Crisis in the Vernacular Community was compiled by researchers from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Language Sciences Institute and Soillse, a multi-institutional research collaboration.
It was said to be the most comprehensive social survey on the state of Gaelic communities ever conducted.
The findings seemed to set alarm bells ringing. But 12 months on, what has changed?
According to the report’s author Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, not a whole lot.
Mr Ó Giollagáin, professor of Gaelic research at UHI, believes there is still an impasse between Gaelic bodies and island communities over language decision-making.
He said there is need for “root and branch reform” and that new thinking and alternative views on a way forward should be considered.
‘The Gaelic Crisis in the Vernacular Community’ was published on July 2 last year.
Researchers studied the use of the language in the Western Isles, in Staffin in Skye and in Tiree. In these areas, Gaelic speakers could total just 11,000, most of them over 50.
The report warned Gaelic will collapse as a viable community language within a decade unless a radical new approach is taken to revitalise it.
Campaigners say Gaelic-speaking communities have been ignored and marginalised by policy makers and called for more local decision-making.
Read more...
25 June 2021 (Bella Caledonia)
This week has seen a debate in the Scottish Parliament on the future direction of Gaelic policy, on a backbench motion tabled by Alasdair Allan, MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (the Western Isles), with significant cross-party support. According to Allan, ‘The next parliamentary term will be important in securing the status and vitality of the Gaelic language. The SNP outlined the most ambitious commitments for Gaelic in the history of the Scottish Parliament in our 2021 election manifesto.’ To what extent is this true, and what kinds of progress in Gaelic development can we hope to see in the next few years?
Read more...
Online language NQ courses with Edinburgh College
18 June 2021 (Edinburgh College)
Higher and Advanced Higher French workshops
With funding from the Franco-Scottish Society, Edinburgh College is pleased to offer free online courses for Higher and Advanced Higher French pupils, which will be delivered from September 2021. Their aim is to provide additional support to pupils who get limited time for speaking practice so that they feel more confident for their speaking exam. Open to any Higher or Advanced Higher French pupil who would benefit from additional input, wherever they are in Scotland.
Follow the appropriate link below for further information and an application form:
Free online language NQ courses for school pupils with Edinburgh College
School pupils who find their chosen language qualification is not offered in their school can study their NQ language course online for free with Edinburgh College. The following options are available:
- National 5 and Higher: French, German, Italian and Spanish.
- Advanced Higher: French and Spanish.
- Exam arrangements: Though enrolled with Edinburgh College, pupils still sit their exams at their own school (including the Adv Higher speaking exam).
These online courses can be accessed across Scotland and all Scottish school pupils qualify for a full fee waiver.
See the online modern languages course flyer for more information.
Save the Date! L3 knowledge exchange event coming soon….
17 June 2021 (SCILT)
We are delighted to announce that our knowledge event Moving Forward with L3: Challenge and Opportunity will take place online on Friday 10 September from 1.30 – 4pm. The event will explore the ways in which primary and secondary schools are incorporating L3 into the curriculum and will consider some of the challenges it poses. Themed parallel sessions will run throughout the afternoon where participants will have the opportunity to consider key points from presentations delivered and engage in professional dialogue with colleagues. This cross sector event is open to primary and secondary practitioners, language leads, PTs, Faculty heads, local authority development officers and relevant members of the school’s leadership team. We are looking forward to welcoming you to this event and further details on how to register will be available soon.
16 June 2021 (Education Scotland)
The Scottish Learning Festival (SLF) is taking place online on Tuesday 21 September until Thursday 23 September 2021 and the theme for this year’s event has been confirmed: ‘Renew, Refresh, Re-imagine: Learning from our experiences and looking to the future.’
SLF is free to attend and the conference programme is developed to support career long professional learning, helping to keep professional practice fresh, up-to-date and relevant.
Further details will follow soon. Register for updates on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
15 June 2021 (e-Sgoil)
Formal registrations are now invited for e-Sgoil's national offer of Gaelic courses for the academic session commencing August 2021.
Visit the website for further information and to register pupils (Glow login required).
Read more...
SCILT will soon be recruiting a new Professional Development Officer to expand its existing secondary team
11 June 2021 (SCILT)
- Are you a committed and dynamic secondary teacher of Modern Languages looking for a new challenge?
- Do you have the leadership skills to support colleagues with inspiring and research-informed professional learning?
- Do you have the creativity to design and lead projects that shape and improve learning for Scotland’s young people?
If so, then this may be the opportunity for you to develop your skills and support learning at a national level.
More details on the post and application process coming soon!
Enquiries and notes of interest to SCILT scilt@strath.ac.uk
31 May 2021 (The Herald)
Gaelic campaigners have accused the SNP Government of "sidelining" the crisis facing the language as they called for urgent talks over its future.
In an open letter, new campaign group Guth nan Siarach said speakers are "effectively excluded from the decision-making processes for our native language in its own place".
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
31 May 2021 (Goethe-Institut)
The International Conference of German Teachers (IDT) is the largest forum in the field of German as a foreign language worldwide. It not only provides training and mediation between theory and practice, but is also an excellent opportunity for networking. The next IDT will take place 15 - 20 August 2022 in Vienna, Austria.
If you work at a Scottish school or other DaF educational organisation in Scotland and are interested in a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut Glasgow to attend, email to register your interest by 15 June 2021. Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for more information.
Read more...
30 May 2021 (Press and Journal)
Scottish schools are undergoing a revolution in foreign language learning in an attempt to reverse generations of neglect.
After years of being derided as ‘lazy’ linguists abroad, there are plans to produce a multilingual workforce.
Few school systems demand less foreign language learning from their children than those in the UK.
This is not helped by having a native language that is the ‘lingua franca’ of the world.
But a Scottish Government policy is setting out to change all that.
Under the 1+2 Languages initiative, pupils will learn their own language (L1) plus two others (L2 and L3).
The L2 will be taught from Primary 1, and the L3 from Primary 5 to 7. There will be compulsory teaching of at least one foreign language until S3.
Education bosses will fully implement the “ambitious” policy for the start of the 2021-22 school year.
Based on the last Scottish Government survey in 2019, 88% of primary schools – approximately 1,760 schools – were delivering the full L2 entitlement.
This already represents significant progress. Anyone in their 30s who went to a Scottish state school won’t have studied foreign languages until secondary school.
The Scottish Government has spent more than £45million since 2013 on increasing foreign language learning in schools.
Teachers are currently being provided with training and support in readiness for the changes.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
1+2,
Language Learning,
Language Policy,
Language Teaching,
Scottish Government,
Languages in the press
20 May 2021 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
The recently renewed website from Bòrd na Gàidhlig includes useful information about all sectors of gaelic education in Scotland, along with guidance documentation.
Resources are all available in the Education section of the website.
Read more...
11 May 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT monthly drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student primary teachers working in Scotland. Drop-ins are an opportunity to share your thoughts on that month’s Bitesize resource and/or share your own experience on the theme.
In May 2021, we’re looking at parental engagement and how schools approach this in a languages context. So join the drop-in on 26 May, share your ideas and experiences and hear what others do too!
Find out more, along with the registration link, on our Bitesize webpage.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
Parental engagement,
Family learning
11 May 2021 (Education Scotland)
Es & Os and Benchmarks for modern languages for a Primary 1 start to language learning were published on the NIH on Monday, 10th May and represent an important piece of national curricular support for the 1+2 policy. The original Es & Os published in 2009 for modern languages were for curriculum levels 2, 3 & 4 only, as language learning in primary schools at that time traditionally began in P6. When the 1+2 policy was introduced in 2012/13 in schools, Education Scotland provided First Level Es and Os to support practitioners with planning to introduce language teaching from an earlier stage in primary schools; these represented a sufficient resource for a number of years, however, a measure of success of the implementation of the policy has meant that many more schools have language learning fully in place from Primary 1, hence the need for a partial suite of Es & Os and Benchmarks to support teachers with a P1 start to language learning (as the 1+2 policy begins in P1 and is not funded for pre-P1 learning) and comprise eight Es, Os and benchmark statements.
Read more...
5 May 2021 (RZSS)
Beyond the Panda is the RZSS giant panda and Mandarin education programme. RZSS is a science specialist Confucius Classroom and offers a unique programme covering science while learning some of the Mandarin language and Chinese characters. It is designed for cross curricular learning where students investigate and discover more about China, its culture, language, geography, giant pandas and other Chinese wildlife.
This virtual CLPL course will hope to engage and inspire teaching staff to use the Beyond the Panda online resources with their students in order to develop a love of nature, animals and conservation and in particular to realise the biodiversity of China and the relevance of the Chinese language and culture. Delivered through Microsoft Teams within Glow.
In partnership with DYWLive and eSgoil, there are three opportunities to book, starting at 4pm on either Tuesday 25th May, Thursday 10th or Thursday 17th June. Booking is through DYWLive, under Professional Learning - Beyond the Panda CLPL
Read more...
4 May 2021 (Alliance Française/Institut français)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow and Institut français in Edinburgh offer a range of opportunities for learners of French. The following are some of their forthcoming activities.
- AF online Summer Classes for adults between June and September 2021
- To celebrate the Cannes Festival in July, IFcinéma à la carte is offering a special selection of French films from 10 May to 10 June 2021
- A selection of online resources including cinema reviews, podcasts, virtual tours of French museums and monuments, a baking workshop and news about the IF Beyond Words literary festival from 17 May 2021
Further information can be found on the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
3 May 2021 (BBC)
Fèisean nan Gàidheal has developed a course for Glasgow City Council staff as part of the authority's aim to develop Gaelic in the city.
The Gaelic arts organization is working with the council after many staff indicated that they would like to learn the language.
The online lessons for adults will be available over nine weeks and the course will start on the 4th of May.
Read more...
30 April 2021 (SCILT)
In academic session 2020-21, after a short hiatus, SCILT relaunched the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition, with a new focus on the spoken word. Learners were invited not only to write a poem in their mother or other tongue, but to perform it so that their words could be heard in their own voice. The work produced by all the young poets who took part was wonderful, especially during this most challenging year. The winning and highly commended video entries from this year's competition in Scotland are now available to view on the MTOT Awards page of SCILT's website.
Read more...
24 April 2021 (FC Sonas/CnaG)
FC Sonas, the bilingual football service, is delighted to be working in partnership with CnaG to offer 4 online sessions to pupils in Gaelic medium education (primary and secondary) across the country to celebrate Cuach na Cloinne 2021.
FC Sonas will speak to some of the Gaelic speakers to be found in the world of football, both players and experts. There will be debates, questions, challenges and much more.
Visit the website for more information and to register your child/class by 5 May 2021.
Read more...
22 April 2021 (SQA)
The SQA has added a new additional resource document on Gathering key evidence and provisional results. This can be found in the Understanding Standards dropdown section of the AH Modern Languages page on their website.
Read more...
21 April 2021 (e-Sgoil)
e-Sgoil's Term 4 study support sessions for senior phase students in Scotland will commence 26 April 2021. They offer a wide range of real-time, interactive Study Support webinar lessons to help consolidate pupils' school-based learning. The timetable includes sessions for N5, Higher and Advanced Higher French and Spanish.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for full details and to book. Pupils will need their Glow login details and Scottish Candidate Number.
Read more...
20 April 2021 (SCILT)
If you missed any part of this event, then we have good news for you! Materials are now available on our website to view at your own leisure, including video presentations from Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, Keynote speaker, Dr Stacey Margarita Johnson, Assistant Director of the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and Plenary speaker, Louise Glen, Senior Education Officer at Education Scotland, highlighting the importance of providing all learners with access to a wide range of language and intercultural experiences.
PowerPoint presentations used from facilitated discussions, including testimonials and speaker biographies are also available to view and will be of interest to the language teaching community and community-based organisations.
Read more...
14 April 2021 (The Herald)
The SNP has announced plans to secure the future of Gaelic by investing in education and exploring the creation of a recognised Gaelic-speaking area.
The party said it will work to ensure Gaelic flourishes throughout Scotland as well as in its traditional heartlands if it is re-elected in May.
It also said it would "review the functions and structures" of Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG), the quango responsible for promoting the language.
BnG has been the focus of criticism over its performance.
The SNP said it would look into creating a recognised "Gàidhealtachd" to raise levels of language competence and encourage the provision of more services in Gaelic.
The Gaidhealtachd is the area of Scotland where people speak Gaelic and usually refers to the Highlands and islands.
Read more...
1 April 2021 (Open University/SCILT)
Registration for the Open University (OU) and SCILT online CPD programme in primary languages, known as TELT, is now open for the 2021 intake. The modules begin on 2 October with induction activities starting on 20 September, and finish in July 2022. The fee in Scotland is £264.00 per module place. Please request registration packs by 30 June 2021.
You can find important information about the programme at our dedicated TELT programme website. There you can see which languages and levels we offer, FAQs and what our past students say.
To register, please contact the OU corporate registrations team by writing to corporate-enquiries@open.ac.uk. NB please also copy scotland-languages@open.ac.uk into your email.
Please note it is important for prospective TELT students to plan ahead and ensure that they will be able to dedicate sufficient time to their study, because, once the module start date has passed, deferral is not possible. The fee will still be payable and cannot be refunded if students decide to defer or withdraw from studying the module.
Should you have any questions about this programme please contact scotland-languages@open.ac.uk.
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Posted in:
Primary,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations
French Film Festival UK 2021
25 March 2021 (French Film Festival)
The French Film Festival UK’s Learning Programme is delighted to bring French-speaking cinema to Scotland’s schools between April and June 2021.
A selection of films on DVD are available on request and will be sent directly to schools. To accompany the selection of films for different age groups, school screenings are enhanced by online learning resources prepared by Lise Morel. Participating teachers will be able to download these Learning Packs as PDFs to use in the classroom. These resources have been designed in accordance with the Modern Languages Experience and Outcomes for Curriculum for Excellence.
Please note that for schools within attainment challenge authorities, this resource is available free of charge. For further information, email schools@frenchfilmfestival.org.uk
25 March 2021 (SCILT)
Did you attend Education Scotland and SCILT’s Summer School for the 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme 2017-2019, or Train the Trainer 2014-2016? If so, then this role might be for you!
Scotland’s new Languages Leadership Programme launches in June of this year. To begin with, participants will attend 2 days of online professional learning led by Education Scotland on 18-19 June through a vibrant online LLP learning community using Teams in Glow.
During 2021-22, participants will then take part in the LLP affiliated professional learning of their choice from a menu of LLP affiliated opportunities from Education Scotland, SCILT and LANGS partners. During this time they will complete a number of critical reflection tasks in relation to their leadership activity and LLP affiliated professional learning. Over the course of the year, Critical Friends will each support a small number of participants, providing regular feedback on their critical reflection tasks.
Wondering whether you could be a critical friend?
- Have you benefitted from taking part in the 1+2 LLP/TTT programme yourself?
- Have you previously undertaken or would you like to undertake a coaching, mentoring or critical friend role to support colleagues with their professional development?
If so, then you will bring a wealth of commitment, understanding and skills to the new Critical Friend role on this innovative pilot. You will be involved in the evaluation process at different stages during the year and professional learning and support will be provided to you. In addition, Critical Friends will also be supported to submit an individual application for GTCS Professional Recognition.
Visit the registration page to find out how you can apply to join the LLP team as a Critical Friend by Monday 17 May.
If you have any questions about applying for this role, please email scilt@strath.ac.uk and include ‘LLP’ in the subject line.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Read more...
French online in a fun and friendly environment
18 March 2021 (Language for Fun)
At La Jolie Ronde, Sandra has been teaching extracurricular French classes for around 11 years, working locally in Livingston and Falkirk. Originally from France, she employs her passion for languages through her teaching programme tailored to all age groups, with pupils ranging from the age of 2 up to 16 years old. She also offers ongoing classes after pupils leave school so they can fit French lessons into their busy day and continue their French.
Sandra also runs a second business called Language for Fun, where she provides French classes to adults. Whether you are beginner or advanced, Language for Fun offers four different levels of French teaching and support for adults looking to pick up a second language.
Sandra has recently been recognised for the quality of her lessons and teaching by receiving the La Jolie Ronde Licensee of the Year Award for Scotland and the North of England. This award demonstrates the work Sandra puts into her teaching and her business.
Through teaching French to around 100 pupils a week, Sandra hopes to share not only her passion as a French teacher, but also the opportunity for everyone to learn French. She is proud of Language For Fun individually tailored Virtual Learning Environment, where French can easily be learnt from the comfort of your own home, in a fun and friendly teaching environment.
If you would like to redeem your FREE hour taster session (reference_SfkSUCoE) offered to SCILT readers, please contact Sandra directly by text on 07503 465 341; by email sandra@languageforfun.uk or via her Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/French-for-fun-Livingston-298150100848787/.
15 March 2021 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you a secondary school teacher of German teaching at a school in Scotland? Would you like to practice your conversational skills and keep yourself up-to-date with current affairs in German speaking countries?
This conversation course will be right for you. We will be discussing a wide range of topics based on current newspaper articles, radio programmes and clips from German television. You will be taking away up-to-date materials and, hopefully, inspiration and lots of good ideas for your classroom.
The course will also provide an opportunity for networking and sharing best practice examples amongst German language teachers.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to register by 29 March 2021. Please note, places are limited.
Read more...
11 March 2021 (e-Sgoil)
e-Sgoil is offering an Easter programme (6-16 April) of real-time, interactive webinars covering Nat 4 to Advanced Higher, for Scottish learners in the Senior Phase. The programme is not designed to deliver whole course content but will focus on key aspects of the subject(s) and hints and tips on how to be successful in assessments.
Visit the e-Sgoil website for full programme details and to book.
Read more...
8 March 2021 (SQA)
The SQA has updated information in the Understanding Standards section of their Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage. The section contains additional resources for the 2020-21 session.
Read more...
5 March 2021 (The Conversation)
Regulations brought in following the UK’s departure from the EU have delayed the export of live shellfish to Europe, causing entire lorry loads of lobsters and langoustines to expire in Scotland’s ports.
Fishing is a relatively small part of the UK’s economy, but fishing rights dominated much of the Brexit negotiations with the European Union. And with the UK free of the EU’s environmental protections, fishing is once more a battleground for competing ideas in marine conservation.
While these debates nearly always concern numbers – catch quotas, stock levels, prices and tariffs – focusing on these quantifiable aspects alone can lead us to overlook the values that keep people fishing in the first place.
Our research on inshore fishing in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides – a sparsely populated island chain off the west coast – took us from boats to processing plants and archives, revealing a commitment to sustainability that’s rooted in more than just legislation. We found that nurturing the culture and language of these islands is as important as protecting wildlife to preserve a thriving marine environment for generations to come.
Around 75% of fishermen in the Outer Hebrides are Gaelic speakers, far higher than the 61% of speakers for the islands’ population as a whole. Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language – related to, but quite distinct from Irish Gaelic – once spoken across much of Scotland, yet now primarily confined to its westernmost isles. The language declined over the 20th century and now has around 60,000 speakers.
Fishermen’s daily use of the language at work helps pass it on to the next generation, as young people become immersed in Scottish Gaelic while out on the boats and in the processing plants where the catch is landed.
Read more...
25 February 2021 (TES)
In 2017, I looked back on my 46 years of modern languages teaching. Despite fond memories, I felt unease. I sensed a disconnect between pupils’ competences and Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) results. I have met Higher pupils whose A grade left them floundering and unable to create spontaneous, simple German.
Three years’ research answered the question: have German teaching and testing – which I used as an exemplifier for modern languages – failed Scottish pupils?
The SQA decision at the end of January to ditch the talking element of Advanced Higher shows that they continue to fail Scottish pupils and confirms my research findings.
Read more...
25 February 2021 (Heriot-Watt University)
Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of undergraduate students on our Languages (Interpreting and Translating) degree programme, as well as the developing professional skills of postgraduate students on our MSc Interpreting and Translating programmes.
The event takes the form of a formal debate with two multilingual teams arguing for and against a motion of topical interest in a range of languages. The teams deliver their views in their various native languages (French, German, Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, British Sign Language (BSL)).
The Multilingual Debates 2021 will take place online via Zoom on Wednesday 24 March and Friday 26 March.
Visit the Heriot-Watt Multilingual Debate webpage for more information and to register for the free event.
Read more...
Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Interpreting,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic,
BSL
eSgoil Easter study support
25 February 2021 (eSgoil)
Calling all teachers of Advanced Higher French, Spanish or German!
e-Sgoil is currently planning it's Easter Study Support programme. We are looking for experienced teachers who could deliver AH Webinars. There are three one hour sessions over the two weeks (6-16th April).
Please get in touch for further information - email damacleod1a@gnes.net
MTOT 2021 - winners announced!
25 February 2021 (SCILT)
Whilst the current pandemic prevented us from hosting this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue celebratory awards event in the stunning Ramshorn Building in Glasgow, we managed to host our very own online red carpet event instead! Pupils, teachers and parents joined us online to hear the winners announced on the afternoon of Friday 19 February, a date especially chosen to tie in with International Mother Language Day on 21 February celebrating all world languages.
We are delighted to announce the following winners and highly commended entries in each category:
|
Mother Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Zayne Emengo-Okpo
|
St Aloysius College JS
|
Hausa
|
|
Highly commended
|
Eloïse Harkins
|
St Aloysius College JS
|
French
|
|
P5-P7
|
Winner
|
Lucja Lubanska
|
St Charles’ Primary
|
Polish
|
|
Highly commended
|
Ahmad Raza
|
Newmains Primary
|
Urdu
|
|
S1-S3
|
Winner
|
Pranay Neppalli
|
Craigmount High
|
Telugu
|
|
Highly commended
|
Filip Strzalka
|
Craigmount High
|
Polish
|
|
S4-S6
|
Winner
|
Chancelvie Bembo
|
St Benedicts
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Lovely Selwyn
|
Bishopbriggs Academy
|
Tamil
|
|
Other Tongue
|
Award
|
Pupil
|
School
|
Language
|
|
P1-P4
|
Winner
|
Abbie Rettie
|
Goodlyburn Primary
|
Gaelic
|
|
Highly commended
|
Haroon Majid
|
Braidbar Primary
|
French
|
|
Highly commended
|
Stephanie Mackay-Watt
|
Goodlyburn Primary
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Gaelic
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P5-P7
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Winner
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Isobel Ross
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Braidbar Primary
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BSL
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Highly commended
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Evelina Finkova
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Goodlyburn Primary
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Gaelic
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S1-S3
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Winner
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Rona Bryden
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Loudoun Academy
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German
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Highly commended
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Anna d’Alessio
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Bishopbriggs Academy
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Italian
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Highly commended
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Alistair Hillis
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Jordanhill
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Mandarin
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S4-S6
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Winner
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Lewis Fleming
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St Thomas Aquinas
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Spanish
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Highly commended
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Anya Jarvis
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Loudoun Academy
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French
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Highly commended
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Ellie McGill
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Carrick Academy
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French
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All pupils will receive a certificate and book token. Winning entrants will also receive a trophy as well as the opportunity for their poems to feature in The Children's Poetry Archive and Kids Poetry Club podcast. We will be in contact with schools shortly about taking these extra special opportunities forward.
It is our intention to host each of these poems on the SCILT website and we'll announce when these are available.
Congratulations again to all our finalists!
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
23 February 2021 (Glasgow Film Festival)
Glasgow is one of the friendliest film festivals on the planet with a wide-ranging programme that celebrates every corner of world cinema and provides a fantastic showcase for the best of Scottish film. The 2021 edition will take place from Wednesday 24 February to Sunday 7 March.
There are several foreign language screenings available for learners to practise listening skills.
If you haven't already secured your tickets, visit the website for full programme details and buy now.
Read more...
18 February 2021 (Glasgow Evening Times)
From learning a few words to communicate with Roma neighbours to finding out more about British Sign Language - the Bhasha Glasgow language festival has lots to offer lockdown learners.
Now in its third year, the event takes place online from February 21 to 27.
A celebration of the city’s many languages and the people who speak them, this year’s festival is being hosted by the Thriving Places Govanhill initiative.
The week is jam packed with free daily activities that will explore Glasgow’s linguistic heritage and the vital role of its multilingual citizens, including quizzes, interactive language sessions, talks, and a radio show.
Read more...
18 February 2021 (Institut français)
The Institut français d’Ecosse launches le Concours de la Francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland and to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
The competition is open to all Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French. Enter by submitting a short video of classroom activity in French by 15 March 2021.
Visit the Institut français d’Ecosse website for more information.
Read more...
Mandarin for BGE 2021
18 February 2021 (CISS)
Do you want to include Mandarin in your school's curriculum but don't currently have the resources? CISS is offering 10 week blocks of live-streamed language and culture classes for Primary P5-P7 and Secondary S1-S3 to start in August 2021.
Further information can be found in the attached flyer. Register interest by 12 March 2021.
14 February 2021 (The Scotsman)
The Isle of Gigha, off the west coast of Kintyre, wants to commission a new song that can also be learned by non-Gaelic speakers who currently live there.
Read more...
11 February 2021 (SCILT/Franco-Scottish Society Scotland)
In honour of Madame Jacqueline Munro-Lafon’s long and active life in the Franco-Scottish Community, the Franco-Scottish Society of Scotland wish to award an essay prize in her name this year to mark her one hundredth birthday.
This competition is aimed at Advanced Higher learners of French. All essay submissions must present a reflection on life and society from 1921 to 2021 in France and Scotland, to take into account Madame Munro-Lafon’s life and interests.
The winning entry will be awarded a prize of £500, and their essay will also be published in the annual Bulletin of the Franco-Scottish Society. Two runner-up prizes of £100 will be awarded by SCILT.
- A maximum of three entries can be submitted from each school. Register your interest for your school to get involved by 5pm on 1 March.
Visit the Eventbrite webpage for further information and how to register.
Read more...
8 February 2021 (British Council)
The Language Assistants team at the British Council is looking for a German-speaking Assistant Consultant to start work in late March, early April. Candidates must be comfortable using German in the workplace and have experience of living in a German-speaking country. The job will be based in the British Council’s Edinburgh office, although all work will be done from home until COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are eased and it is safe to return to the office.
Visit the website for the full job description and apply by 16 February 2021.
Read more...
SCILT Lessons from Lockdown Learning
4 February 2021 (SCILT)
During the first period of lockdown last year, from early May until the end of June, SCILT delivered a series of online live language classes which were open to learners across Scotland. With the help of feedback from learners and parents, and the input of external observers, we have examined and evaluated this online learning and teaching experience, and in the report, we share these evaluations and the key lessons learned during this time. We hope that it might prove helpful to teachers in the planning and delivery of online lessons.
We would also love to hear from you! We would really value your thoughts about your experiences of online teaching and any suggestions that you have, either for Professional Learning or support which we could provide, or advice that you would wish to pass on to fellow practitioners. Get in touch at scilt@strath.ac.uk!
Read SCILT Lessons from Lockdown – A review of online learning and teaching
CISS Nat 4, Nat 5 and Higher online Mandarin offer 2021-2022
2 February 2021 (CISS)
CISS is happy to be able to share the first details of our offer of live-streamed Mandarin NQ classes for the upcoming 2021-22 session. This will allow schools to expand their provision for Mandarin, particularly those who do not have access to a GTCS registered teacher of Mandarin and who have, therefore, been unable to offer NQ classes. The following details will allow these courses to be added to course choice forms. The official start date is still to be decided and will be confirmed as soon as circumstances allow.
Please register your school’s interest now
The offer consists of three courses: National 4, National 5 and Higher.
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National 4
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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14.00-15.00
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14.00-15.00
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9.30 – 10.30
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|
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National 5
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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|
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14.00-15.00
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14.00-15.00
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9.30 – 10.30
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Higher
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Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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9.30 – 10.30
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15.00-16.00
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9.30 – 10.30
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15.00-16.00
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14.00-15.00
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Please read carefully the following information:
- Learners can access the course from at school or at home. All they will require is access to the internet and their Glow account. All assessments will need to be undertaken in school under controlled conditions, supervised by a teacher.
- The online teacher is PVG checked and GTCS registered. She will provide and mark all teaching and assessment materials, and gather evidence of learners’ attainment. Schools will be responsible for:
- obtaining approval to present these qualifications from SQA
- presenting candidates for the relevant SQA qualifications
- administering exams
- ensuring that any assessment arrangements to which pupils are entitled are in place.
A designated GTCS class teacher must be assigned to support the delivery of Mandarin in your school. This teacher will be responsible for:
- attendance and supervision of learners for each lesson
- regular liaison with the GTCS Mandarin teacher via email/ virtual face-to-face conversation
- co-ordinating reporting to parents
- accessing and distributing class materials on Glow and uploading pupil work.
- facilitating assessments.
The class teachers will not have responsibility for language teaching. However, there is an expectation that they will help facilitate the learning. They will also require time to deal with the administration associated with the course(s). This, therefore, requires a timetabled commitment from a member of staff.
Teaching materials, resources and assessments will be available for download.
Once notes of interest have been collated, further details will follow. An online meeting will be arranged for all participating schools. This will give an opportunity for staff to network with each other and to clarify any questions they may have.
Please get in touch at ciss-info@strath.ac.uk should you require additional, specific information.
31 January 2021 (Glasgow Evening Times)
Gaelic was once a significant local language in Glasgow and its environs and there is still evidence of its influence today.
Often, some of the earliest evidence of the language spoken in a particular area can be found in its place names - take Shettleston, for example, or Baile Nighean Seadna (Seadna’s daughter’s farm), linking the area to a Gaelic-speaking woman of around 1170, or Gartnavel and Auchenshuggle - the Gaelic word ‘gart’ means farm, while ‘auch’ comes from achadh meaning ‘field’ or ‘farm’.
Read more...
31 January 2021 (The Courier)
Michael Alexander speaks tae twa weel-kent faces fae Dundee’s cultural scene – Alistair Heather and Sheena Wellington – who have launched free online sessions helping participants develop their understanding of Dundee’s Scots language.
For Dundee born and bred traditional singer Sheena Wellington, the Scots language has always been an important part of life.
Coming from a family of weavers, the 76-year old former Blackness Primary and Harris Academy pupil was brought up in a Dundee Scots speaking household.
Yet despite being surrounded by her Dundee Scots speaking father, grannies and aunts at home, she vividly remembers being discouraged from speaking her mither tongue in school.
Read more...
29 January 2021 (TESS)
Modern languages teachers have hit out at Scotland’s exam body over its decision not to assess students' ability to speak the language they are learning as part of the Advanced Higher qualification this year.
In the most recent guidance produced by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, published last week, modern languages teachers have been told that, at Advanced Higher level, they are to base their teacher-estimated grades on reading, translation, listening and writing, but not on their students' ability to speak the language.
Modern languages teachers who spoke to Tes Scotland described the move as a “dumbing down” of the qualification, arguing that the key skill for a linguist to acquire is the ability to communicate.
Read more...
28 January 2021 (Radio Lingua)
As we continue through these interesting times of online learning, we are delighted to announce that we will be sharing with teachers a free reading resource each day starting on Monday 1 February. Each cultural text will have accompanying comprehension questions, a translation challenge and an audio file , as well as an answer grid. These texts will be available on the RLN Education website, but each day the link to the new text will be posted on our Facebook page here. We hope you find them a useful addition to your online resources and your learners enjoy the cultural content.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland 2021 - Using film to teach languages
21 January 2021 (Screen Scotland)
Screen Scotland has put together a resource for Languages Week Scotland 2021 on using film to teach languages. See the attached document. There's also a Microsoft Team available to join for all subject teachers looking to teach with film: Screen Scotland: Film Education
21 January 2021 (SCILT)
SCILT offers a wide range of professional learning opportunities for pre- and in-service teachers. Primary, secondary. Synchronous, asynchronous. One off, ongoing. Check out our updated CLPL flyer for all the details you need. Download and share with colleagues in your next virtual staff meeting.
Like you, our friendly primary and secondary Professional Development Officers are working online from home at the moment. Make a booking or send a query to scilt@strath.ac.uk with CLPL in the subject line. Alternatively, go direct to the Professional Learning area of the website to browse some more.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Read more...
SCILT Live Lessons for Senior Phase Learners
14 January 2021 (SCILT/eSgoil)
During the current lockdown, SCILT is delighted to support our partners at eSgoil by offering live language lessons. These will be available to all Senior Phase learners in Scotland – learners can register through the eSgoil website.
Daytime Study Support
- Higher French – Thursdays at 11.15
- National 5 French – Tuesdays at 11.15
- Higher Spanish – Tuesdays at 14.15
- National 5 Spanish – Wednesdays at 09.30
You can register for Daytime Study Support Sessions here- http://www.e-sgoil.com/daytimestudysupport2020/
SCILT is continuing to offer evening support sessions for Advanced Higher:
- Advanced Higher Spanish – Wednesdays at 17.00
- Advanced Higher French – Thursdays at 17.00
You can register for Evening Study Support Sessions here - http://www.e-sgoil.com/studysupport2020/
eSgoil is offering a wide range of support for learners of all ages throughout lockdown, and SCILT is proud to support them and Scotland’s educational community through these challenging times.
12 January 2021 (PowerLanguage)
In order to support Schools and their wider communities, we have created a new package to help with home learning.
Our PowerLanguage Online Course for Families - available in French or Spanish - has been successfully running in many parts of Scotland since 2016. It was designed to develop the partnership between Schools, pupils and the wider community. Parents and carers can embark on a meaningful and exciting language journey shared by all family members!
- The course is accessible online or through an App. It contains 6 lessons which follow a gentle progression, reinforcing the key language introduced in Primary Schools.
- In each lesson, new structures are presented in French or Spanish, as well as in English, by a native tutor or in an animation. Watch an extract on Vimeo or Youtube
- The cultural podcasts introduce slices of French/Spanish life and focus on playground games, songs, special monuments and various landscapes. Small tasks are attached to each video. Watch an extract on Vimeo or Youtube.
- Families can assess their progress through short challenges at the end of each lesson. One of the 3 challenges can be delivered at School, thus reinforcing the link between School and home learning.
A case study on the impact of this Course on families and schools was produced in Scotland in 2016 by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT).
You can also watch this video to see the impact of our Course for Families on a school and its wider community in Western Australia.
Cost: in order to make the Course available to all, a licence can be bought by the School and shared with their wider community. The annual cost is £100 per course (French or Spanish). Schools can also buy the course for a one-off fee of £500 per course for indefinite use. (Schools who have previously purchased this Course used some of their PEF funding to cover the cost).
Level: The course is available in French or Spanish for primary school learners and their families who are beginners/post beginners.
Scottish Schools may wish to launch this Course in advance of Languages Week Scotland (1-5 February 2021).
Please contact us info@powerlanguage.net to find out more or visit our website.
Read more...
11 January 2021 (La Jolie Ronde)
During Languages Week Scotland, 1-5 February 2021, FREE TRIALS will be available of La Jolie Ronde's two award winning French and Spanish resources.
La Jolie Ronde Languages for Children is a leading early language learning organisation offering a proven method of teaching young children French and Spanish. La Jolie Ronde’s award winning programmes are unique, modern and of the highest quality. FREE TRIALS on their resources are available as follows:
- Little Languages Resource (P1-P3)
- French and Spanish Resource (P4-P7)
- French or Spanish free taster Online class
For more information email schools@lajolieronde.co.uk
#scotlandloveslanguages
Read more...
11 January 2021 (SEET)
Due to the new lockdown measures introduced by the Scottish Government on 4 January, including the closure of schools, SEET have pushed back the storyboard submission deadline to Friday 5 February 2021. They have also adapted the project and expanded the project's reach by increasing participation options for home learning and accommodating for both individual and group participation. Please see below for a summary of the changes:
- S1-6 may take part in 2021, not only S3-6 pupils.
- Storyboard submission deadline extended to Friday 5 February 2021 (extra 3 weeks)
- Accompanying video/audio clip explaining the storyboard is now optional. Storyboard and links to SDG theme and languages must be clear if no additional description is provided.
- We are accepting storyboard entries from teams AND entries from individual pupils if pupil collaboration is no longer possible. More guidance on team participation available.
- We will be able to invite more pupils to take part in the filmmaking stage, as we are no longer limited to in-person venue workshop capacity.
- Creation of password protected online portal to support pupils through the filmmaking stages. This will include video tutorials from filmmakers, written guidance and tutorials, resources, and clear instructions for pupils.
Visit the SEET website for more information about the Our World project.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland
7 January 2021 (SCILT)
Languages Week Scotland 2021 will take place during the week 1–5 February. The theme is ‘Celebrating Scotland’s languages landscape’ and the aim is to amplify the voices of people, organisations and events that celebrate multilingualism and the many ways it manifests in Scottish communities.
Follow the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages or the dedicated Twitter account @LangsWeekScot to find out what is happening or to share anything you will do with your learners to mark the week.
Schools can download the Languages Week Scotland logo from the SCILT website (Resources for Languages Week Scotland). Please add to emails and other promotional materials to show your support.
Keep your eye out for daily challenges from 1-5 February, which will engage learners whether in the classroom or at home.
7 January 2021 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française Glasgow is running online revision courses during January and February for those scheduled to sit Higher and Advanced Higher French exams in 2021.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
26 December 2020 (The Herald)
Gaelic is in crisis. As a community language, it could die out within a decade.
That was the stark conclusion of a book-length study published in the summer.
But momentum is building to reverse this decline, and those at the top are open to radical proposals.
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes told The Herald she would support the idea of housing developments reserved for Gaelic speakers.
She fears parts of the Highlands and islands could become retirement villages or ghost towns amid a rise in second homes.
Read more...
8 December 2020 (SEET)
Have you registered your teams for the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) Euroquiz competition? The annual project is open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in local authorities from January to March, with the winning teams from all areas progressing to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in June.
Visit the SEET website for more information and to register.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
Mathématiques sans Frontières
7 December 2020 (University of the West of Scotland)
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is again organising the world-wide Maths and Language competition “Mathématiques sans Frontières” in Scotland.
You are invited to participate in this stimulating and light-hearted competition which combines Mathematics and Modern Languages and aims to motivate pupils in these subjects, promote teamwork, and bridge borders.
Please find attached a training test for “Mathématiques Sans Frontières”, and one entry form for the competition proper.
S4 classes should attempt 10 questions and S5 classes 13 questions. A whole class should attempt the test with questions divided up between groups to ensure that the questions can be completed in the allotted time of 90 minutes. Question one will require an explanation in a foreign language. We hope that this encourages cross-curricular working and teamwork. Answers are also attached, in French, another opportunity for teamwork in the translation.
The competition proper will be held on Thursday 11 March 2021. The prize-giving will be held in June (hopefully!) at UWS when the achievements of the top ten schools at each level are recognised. All schools competing will receive a certificate.
Schools who would like to register for the competition are kindly requested to complete the proforma attached and return by 29 January 2021.
We will send out the actual test as a PDF file by e-mail on the Friday prior to the test. This has proved to be very popular and we intend continuing to issue the test in this format. We would therefore kindly ask you to ensure that the e-mail address provided is legible or, preferably, typed. It would also be beneficial to provide an alternative e-mail address, possibly a personal address, which may help prevent firewall issues.
Discovering China is back!
3 December 2020 (CISS)
30 November 2020 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is holding special online Revision Courses in January/February for pupils who are due to sit their Higher and Advanced Higher oral examinations in 2021.
Visit the website for more information and to book.
Read more...
26 November 2020 (SQA)
SQA has reviewed its visiting assessment arrangements for Advanced Higher Gàidhlig performance-talking and Modern Languages performance-talking assessments in session 2020–21.
Visit the SQA website for more information.
Read more...
25 November 2020 (Press and Journal)
With voices changing every 20 miles, it’s difficult to quantify exactly how many dialects come under the Scots language umbrella.
But a rough count suggests lucky number 13, divided up as Orkney, Shetland, Caithness, Black Isle, Moray, Aberdeenshire, South Northern (South Kincardineshire and Northern Angus), North-East Central, East Central, West Central, South Central, Boarders and Ulster (yep, Scots made it over the water to Ireland too with Irish Gaelic).
Inverness and the Outer Hebrides may seem curiously absent from this list. But as these regions were predominantly Gaelic speaking areas, the Scots language didn’t take hold with the same intensity, meaning there’s no specific Scots dialect recorded for these regions – though we have included them on the map here for comparison.
The article also includes links to other features in the Spikkin Scots series.
Read more...
24 November 2020 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) have launched their annual Our World language learning and filmmaking project. With a specific focus on building a sense of gobal citizenship and cultural understanding amongst participants, the project asks S3-S6 pupils to create multilingual films based on topical issues. Teams of 4 have the chance to create their films at an online workshop with professional filmmakers on hand to provide assistance and practical filmmaking tuition. Films must include at least one language other than English, and should be based on, this year, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
If you are interested in entering a team or multiple teams, please sign up here and ensure your pupils send us a storyboard of their film idea by the revised deadline of January 15th, 2021. Tons more information available on SEET's website, or by emailing alex@seet.org.uk. We look forward to receiving entries!
Read more...
19 November 2020 (University of Strathclyde)
The Language Ambassadors are back……and they have gone VIRTUAL!
Get your pupils involved to discover the joys of learning and being able to use another language by organising a Virtual Language Ambassadors visit to your school!
Our Language Ambassadors are students of French, Italian or Spanish, on various degrees, including BA Honours in French and Spanish, International Business and a Modern Language, Law and a Language but also Engineering and Science degrees.
This programme is free of charge and provides student role models to promote languages to young people and encourage your pupils to choose languages as part of their high school curriculum.
We can deliver a range of activities online, such as:
- A virtual presentation about their experiences as university language learners and their experiences abroad;
- Q&A sessions about the benefits of studying a language;
- A small group discussion for Senior phase students who have already selected a language;
- Micro-presentations as part of a school-wide event
From Harris to Hamilton, from Orkney to Paisley, book a virtual visit today by completing our request form!
If you have any questions about The Language Ambassadors programme, please contact Cédric Moreau.
Read more...
18 November 2020 (The Herald)
Young Gaelic speakers who have a passion for the environment and a talent for songwriting could have their chance to shine, thanks to a new songwriting project launched by Highland arts organisation, Fèis Rois.
The competition, which is open to applicants until November, Monday 23, is calling on budding Gaelic songwriters from secondary schools across the Highlands to come up with new Gaelic material, connected to the environment and Scotland's landscape.
Fèis Rois, an arts organisation based in Dingwall, Ross-shire, has collaborated with NatureScot to launch 'Caithream na Cruinne', aimed at emerging Gaelic songwriters who take their inspiration from nature and the current environmental challenges.
Read more...
12 November 2020 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) have launched their annual Our World language learning and filmmaking project.
Open to all S3-6 pupils across Scotland, teams of 4 have the chance to create films at a workshop (remotely this year!) with professional filmmakers on hand to help them and provide practical filmmaking tuition. As always, films must include at least one language other than English, and should be based on a set theme, which this year is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
If you are interested in entering a team or multiple teams, please sign up here and ensure your pupils send us a storyboard of their film idea by the deadline of 18 December 2020.
There is lots more information available on SEET's website, or by emailing alex@seet.org.uk. We look forward to receiving entries!
Read more...
11 November 2020 (SCILT)
SCILT's monthly Bitesize drop-ins are free, themed virtual events that are open to teachers and student teachers working in Scotland. Drop-ins are an opportunity to share your thoughts on that month’s Bitesize resource and/or share your own experience on the theme.
The November Bitesize event looks at examples of using an IDL approach to support language teaching and learning in the primary classroom.
Visit our Bitesize webpage to find out more about the session taking place on Wednesday 25 November and to register.
Read more...
9 November 2020 (SQA)
Advanced Higher course reports for the 2019 diet have been added to the SQA website for Gaelic (Learners), German and Spanish.
Read more...
7 November 2020 (The Times)
Plans to create a dedicated Gaelic secondary school in Edinburgh have been boosted by a surge of interest from parents keen for their children to become immersed in the language.
Councillors have begun a consultation on where the facility should be located after committing to turning the project into a reality.
The Glasgow Gaelic School regularly outperforms every other secondary in the city, with half of sixth-years achieving five or more Highers. It is hoped that a new minority language school in the capital would mirror its success.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
6 November 2020 (SQA)
The SQA has produced a document providing subject-level guidance to SQA approved centres on gathering key evidence to support estimates for National 5 Modern Languages in session 2020–21.
You should read this guidance alongside National Courses: guidance on gathering evidence and producing estimates and the SQA Academy resource, Quality assurance of estimates for National Courses (links are contained in the publication).
This document also includes information on subject-level assessment resources. Available now to view online.
Read more...
30 October 2020 (TES)
Student Len Pennie – better known online as Miss Punny Pennie – has become an internet star with videos that share a Scots language word of the day. One of her most popular videos, in which she recites her poem I'm No Havin' Children (see below), has been viewed nearly 250,000 times on Twitter.
Here are her four top tips for using Scots in school.
(Subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
30 October 2020 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
Gaelic organisations are asking young people across the country to stand up and be heard as Bòrd na Gàidhlig launch opportunities for their voices to be listened to.
BnG will be running online surveys for young people based on their opinions and ideas for Gaelic usage and how to increase this within their communities.
The two surveys, which will be distributed to schools and community groups, are for Primary 5-7, Secondary pupils S1-S6 and for school leavers. The surveys will run until 15 November as the Gaelic development body collates opinions critical to the future of the language and how young people can help contribute to this across Scotland.
More information can be found on the attached press release or by visiting the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website.
Read more...
28 October 2020 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow provides a range of language learning opportunities for adults and children. Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about forthcoming classes:
- Free taster sessions (5 & 10 November) - If you have reservations about joining an online class, we are offering free taster sessions so you can find out all the necessary information on how our current classes are being run before enrolling for a course.
- Adult classes (commencing 16 November) - Enrolling now for the next term.
- l’heure du conte (10 November and 8 December) - Join us to hear our librarian’s historiettes/short stories, comfortably wrapped in a blanket at home with your little ones. Free and suitable for all.
Visit the Alliance Française Glasgow website to discover the full range of activities and events on offer.
Read more...
28 October 2020 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading, supported by Creative Scotland and SLIC. This year's Book Week Scotland will be taking place from 16 to 22 November 2020.
The programme of events is now available. All are taking place online and whilst most are free to attend, the events are ticketed so make sure you book in advance.
As always, there's a selection of readings and events which will appeal to linguists. This year's collection of stories and poems on the subject of Future contains entries in Scots and Gaelic and the e-book is now available to download. For younger learners you can always access the Authors on Demand session exploring The Gruffalo in Scots and Gaelic.
Read more...
27 October 2020 (TES)
A new initiative aims to bring the teaching of Arabic into both primary and secondary schools in Scotland.
This week the Scottish primaries involved in a new programme offering an insight into Arabic language and culture will receive boxes of Arabic artefacts, such as books, scarves, musical instruments and tea sets.
Scottish schools are open but movement in and out of buildings remains restricted as a result of Covid-19. Scilt, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, has, however, found a way to bring the wider world to pupils at a time when their ability to travel is also much reduced.
The centre, based at the University of Strathclyde, is offering an insight into Arabic language and culture in 15 primary and secondary schools around Scotland. The courses include online lessons from native-speaking teachers of Arabic in the UK and link-ups with native Arabic speakers overseas.
The centre was keen to make the experience tangible, hence the delivery of the boxes.
Scilt director Fhiona Mackay says: “It’s really important that we encourage diversity in language learning. That’s what the 1+2 approach to language learning [in Scotland] should be all about – particularly language three should be an opportunity to explore languages that otherwise children would not be exposed to. It is absolutely right that they should have the chance to experience a language that does not have the same script or alphabet as Latin or Germanic-based languages.
“We also wanted to make sure that children were getting a view of the Arabic world that was not about war, terrorism or refugees. We wanted them to see there is something quite wonderful about this ancient civilisation and help them relate that back to their own experience in Scotland.”
The courses offer learners the chance to explore the secular culture of Arabic nations and to receive a grounding in the Arabic language, which is a first language in more than 20 countries and the fifth most widely spoken in the world.
Read more...
26 October 2020 (The Herald)
It is the secret to learning good English – go to a Gaelic school.
Research has shown that learning in a minority language makes you better at speaking a global one.
Scientists have long known that being bilingual in two major languages – such as Spanish and French or German and Russian – helps develop cognitive abilities.
A study led by Heriot-Watt associate professor Maria Garraffa has now compared the English of monolingual children with those who were immersed in Gaelic Medium Education (GME).
Ms Garraffa, a native Italian, and her team found the GME youngsters outperformed those taught in English – in English.
Writing in the Times Educational Supplement, Ms Garraffa said: “The research revealed that speaking Gaelic does not affect the ability to speak well in English and that being bilingual actually improves competency. We found bilingual pupils are better in complex language in English and also have better concentration, as reported in other studies on bilingualism.
“We clearly proved the positive effects of bilingualism are not contingent upon learning a global, widely spoken language, like French or Spanish, but are also true when it comes to a small heritage language like Gaelic.”
Read more...
23 October 2020 (Channel 5 News)
Scottish Gaelic is a language which is set to die out in the next decade. The University of the Highlands and Islands says only 11,000 people can speak it, most over the age of 50. So how can it be saved?
See the Channel 5 video report on YouTube.
Read more...
23 October 2020 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the publication of its new case study on engaging parents with languages. This study, in conjunction with Education Scotland, highlights how Moorfoot Primary and Garvel Deaf Centre in Gourock support parents of deaf and hearing children with learning BSL. It provides insightful information on how BSL features greatly within the school, in addition to the other languages taught. Parents, pupils and staff share their experience of using and learning BSL and emphasise the value, significance and importance of all language learning and the impact it can have locally and beyond.
Read more...
Languages Week Scotland - save the date!
23 October 2020 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that Languages Week Scotland 2021 will run from 1 - 5 February 2021. The theme is "Celebrating Scotland’s languages landscape" and we hope that schools and learners, universities and colleges, businesses and social enterprises, community and arts organisations across the country will join with us in celebrating the many languages learned and spoken in Scotland!
Follow the hashtag #scotlandloveslanguages for all the latest news, and don't forget to use this hashtag to share how you celebrate.
22 October 2020 (TES)
Recent Pisa results have brought bad news for Scotland but a new test suggests students are being well equipped to deal with globalisation.
Scottish pupils are among the most likely in the developed world to understand and appreciate the perspective of others, demonstrate some of the most positive attitudes towards immigrants, and score highly on a test that assesses the ability to evaluate information and analyse multiple perspectives.
Students from 27 countries and economies, including Scotland, took part in Pisa’s 2018 assessment of global competence, which included a test focusing on three areas: the ability to evaluate information, formulate arguments and explain issues and situations; to identify and analyse multiple perspectives; and to evaluate actions and consequences.
[..] Dr Tarek Mostafa, the policy analyst in the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills who was in charge of the global competence report, told Tes Scotland: “The main takeaway messages from the report are: students in Scotland have very positive attitudes towards immigrants and when it comes to respect for people from other cultures. In addition to this, they perform well on the global competence cognitive test and Scotland is among the three top-ranking countries on the test.”
[..] “For the other indices, students report values close to the OECD average,” he added.
Scottish pupils were also among the least likely to speak several languages: 64.5 per cent of Scottish pupils said they did not learn foreign languages at school, which was around five times the OECD average of 11.7 per cent.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
20 October 2020 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
A ground-breaking study into how Gaelic is perceived by secondary school pupils and how it develops their linguistic and cognitive skills found significant benefits of speaking the language alongside a global language such as English.
The immersion study, funded by Bord na Gàidhlig, was led by Dr Maria Garraffa and a team from Heriot-Watt University, together with Prof Bernadette O’Rourke from University of Glasgow and Prof Antonella Sorace from the University of Edinburgh.
They worked together with senior pupils from The Glasgow Gaelic School, the largest provider of Gaelic medium education in Scotland, to find out how our younger generation of Gaelic speakers view and use the language. It examined for the first time particularly whether older teenagers, after 15 years of education in Gaelic, continued to speak Gaelic or what might lead them to stop.
The research revealed that speaking Gaelic does not affect the ability to speak well in English – and that being bilingual provides more opportunities for those fluent in both.
Read more...
19 October 2020 (Language Learning Scotland)
Language Learning Scotland has added free drop-in tutoring sessions for Higher French and Advanced Higher Spanish to their offering. Open to S5/S6 students these sessions begin week commencing 19 October 2020.
Visit the website to find out more and to sign up.
Read more...
18 October 2020 (The Herald)
The head teacher who has overseen a surge in demand for Gaelic Medium Education in Glasgow has said her own childhood experience of English-only lessons as a native speaker fuelled efforts to improve access to the language in schools.
Donalda McComb will now say “Beannach Leibh” to teaching after 34 years and heading up the city’s first joint campus, which combines a nursery, primary and secondary that was ranked ninth best performing high in this year’s league tables.
Glasgow is home to the largest number of Gaelic speakers outwith the Highlands and Islands, a mix of native speakers who move for university or jobs and those coming through Gaelic medium education (GME) or learning independently.
Read more...
5 October 2020 (Edinburgh Evening News)
Deeming their language courses as “economically unsustainable”, Napier will terminate the teaching of French, Spanish and German from the beginning of the next academic year.
The announcement comes amid warnings of an “intellectual Brexit” in higher education and a drastic cut in income to higher education institutions due to the Covid-19 pandemic..
The changes will see Napier follow in the footsteps of fellow Edinburgh-based University, Heriot Watt, who are to launch an external review of their language programmes, despite their Scotland-leading position in translation. Meanwhile, Dundee University announced it will drop its German programmes.
Read more...
3 October 2020 (The Guardian)
Staff who made headlines for their dedication during closures talk about the joy of reuniting with pupils and the impact of more restrictions.
[..] When James Innes, AKA the “Joe Wicks for French”, made the decision to share videos of his French lessons online over lockdown, he had no idea that he would return to his school a YouTube sensation.
Read more...
2 October 2020 (Ross-shire Journal)
The vital role of teachers in the promotion of the Gaelic language in Scotland is acknowledged in a new three-year plan.
The General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTC Scotland) has launched its revised Gaelic Language Plan.
The plan sets out four key commitments:
- To raise awareness of Gaelic as a language and to support its use through integrated communications.
- To support the development of learning and teaching in Gaelic throughout Scotland.
- To encourage growth of the Gaelic language both within GTC Scotland and externally.
- To promote and support teacher professional development in the Gaelic language.
It complements the National Gaelic Language Plan which aims to promote the language and culture in Scotland. It outlines the need to explore new routes to promote, recruit, educate and retain the Gaelic education workforce and review existing routes into the profession.
And it acknowledges the role GTC Scotland has to play in addressing these challenges.
Read more...
Related Links
New plan to promote Gaelic revealed (The Northern Times, 3 October 2020)
1 October 2020 (Language Learning Scotland)
Calling all S5 and S6 Modern Languages students studying French, German Spanish and Mandarin. From 12-16 October 2020, Language Learning Scotland is running a virtual language immersion week. Come along to learn more about the culture, the course and so much more!
Meet like-minded language lovers and hear talks from native young people and industry professionals. Get help and advice on navigating your way through Higher and Advanced Higher with tips for memorising grammar and vocabulary.
Visit the LLS website for more information and to apply.
Read more...
1 October 2020 (eSgoil/SCILT)
SCILT is proud to partner with colleagues at e-Sgoil in order to offer additional support to sixth year language learners.
Free live webinar lessons for young people studying Advanced Higher French and Spanish are available on line for eight weeks from the beginning of November.
Advanced Higher Spanish
Wednesdays 5 pm from 4 November 2020
Advanced Higher French
Thursdays 5 pm from 5 November 2020
Going by the response to previous live-streamed lessons, interest is likely to be high. Please encourage young people to sign up as quickly as possible to guarantee their place. They will need their pupil Glow login details and Scottish Candidate Number to register.
More information and the registration link can be found on the eSgoil website.
Read more...
1 October 2020 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to announce the launch of Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2020-21! This exciting competition is now open, and we want to find the next generation of young multilingual poets in Scotland. The competition has been redesigned to suit our new digital era, and we are inviting young people to submit entries focussing on the spoken word. Videos, sound files, voiceovers, narrated presentations – whatever format fits best, we want to hear the voices of young linguists showcasing their language and poetry skills. It’s a great time to get involved with the creative side of language learning, so visit our MTOT webpages to find out more.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
SCILT news
30 September 2020 (The Herald)
A Gaelic campaign group has published a new manifesto urging Scotland’s political parties to embrace radical measures to reverse the decline of the language.
Misneachd is calling for controls on second homes and consideration of Gaelic-speaking housing developments alongside a raft of other proposals.
It said a new government-backed target should aim for all those living in the Western Isles to be able to speak at least some Gaelic.
Read more...
30 September 2020 (The Scottish Sun)
Author Robin Crawford has charted 1,000 uniquely Scots words that have been used from the era of Robert Burns to the modern world of Twitter.
The 56-year-old, from Auchtermuchty, Fife, wanted to record both old and new language that is still in everyday use for his new book Cauld Blasts and Clishmaclavers.
And he also set out to highlight the different regional phrases used around Scotland.
He said: “Many people use the word ‘rovies’ for slippers whereas in Fife I would say ‘baffies’. But every region, in fact probably every family, has their own words. That’s what helps make Scots so vibrant.
“We may all be Jock Tamson’s Bairns but we don’t necessarily speak the same words.”
Robin also believes the phrases of The Big Yin are just as important as the verse of The Bard.
Read more...
26 September 2020 (The National)
In a report entitled Breaking the Language Barrier, published by Reform Scotland in October 2018, it is noted that the UK Government estimates poor language skills cost the economy £48 billion annually, equivalent to 3.5% of GDP. While Anglophone countries often dismiss other languages, Scotland is demonstrating an appetite to turn the tide.
The flagship for change is the Scottish Government’s 1+2 policy, launched in 2012, providing children with the opportunity to learn a first additional language from primary one and a second from primary five. Seven years later, the 1+2 generation is now starting secondary school.
There are already encouraging signs at Higher level, where, according to recent research by Dr Hannah Doughty on trends over a seven-year period, languages as a whole enjoy a higher percentage uptake than biology or physics.
Further encouragement comes from Holyrood. Ivan McKee, the Minister for Trade, Investment and Innovation, recently stated that: “It is essential we inspire young people to learn languages, to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to take full advantage of opportunities in our fast-changing world.”
Crucial here is that McKee mentions “skills”. Languages are not simply about the ability to move between tongues, mechanically expressing information and ideas. Arguably the greatest benefit from the study of languages lies not in their mastery, but in other skills acquired on the journey.
Read more...
25 September 2020 (Scots Radio)
Plans have been unveiled for the return of the acclaimed Doric Film Festival – with some exciting developments set to be implemented for the second event.
Following the runaway success of the first two Doric Film Festivals, the second annual event is now inviting entries until November 1st and is asking applications to create a film around the theme: “Jist Faar I Bide.”
This time around, a total of nine awards will be spread equally across three categories, namely individuals, schools and community groups. Each will receive £500 towards the cost of producing a five-minute film which will be screened during an online event in spring 2021.
The much-lauded Doric Film Festival, which is supported by the Scottish Government, took the North East by storm during its inaugural event in 2019. It is the idea of award-winning Scots Radio Director Frieda Morrison who created the unique platform to celebrate the Doric language and its cultural identity.
Commenting on plans for this year’s Doric Film Festival, Frieda Morrison said: “Ongoing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic have prompted a change of format for this event, and we hope that the changes will encourage even more people to get even more creative in support of the Festival.
“In previous years we have been heartened by the quality and diversity of entries and we are sure that the judges have a hard task ahead of them again this year.”
To find out more, visit www.doricfilmfestival.com or www.scotsradio.com
Read more...
17 September 2020 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based film making project for S3 - S6 pupils. It's designed to complement the Curriculum for Excellence and help tackle the Attainment Challenge by providing a free project, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Apply now to take part in the 2020-21 project.
Visit the SEET Our World webpage for more information.
Read more...
14 September 2020 (Creative Multilingualism)
This OWRI-funded project celebrates linguistic diversity and reflects on the multilingual, multicultural and superdiverse society represented in Glasgow today. This multilingual performance supports the teaching and learning journey of primary schooling in non-affluent areas of the city. Pupils work together to choose traditional songs and rhymes and script a multilingual play.
Recordings of a webinar series about the project and associated resources are now available on the Creative Multilingualism website. An article about the project can also be found in TECLA Issue 1/2020 (page 11), the magazine resource for Spanish language learning in the classroom.
Read more...
13 September 2020 (The Scotsman)
Doric, a form of North East Scots that is spoken by 49 per cent of people in Aberdeenshire, will now be taught to undergraduates at Aberdeen University with the course counting towards a student’s degree.
The history of Doric is due to be taught on the course, as well as linguistics, vocabulary and its context in a European setting, with many words and phrases linking Doric with Scandinavian languages, said Dr Thomas McKean, director of Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute which researches and protects the North East’s distinct cultural heritage.
He said: “It’s about building a parity of esteem of the language so that it is thought of in equal terms with other European languages."
Read more...
e-Sgoil Study Support Webinars
11 September 2020 (e-Sgoil)
Young people from across Scotland are participating in a series of live study support webinar lessons being delivered by e-Sgoil.
Building on the success of the e-Sgoil ‘lockdown’ offer - where over 3,000 young people from across the country participated in real-time e-Sgoil lessons from their homes - the package of study support seeks to complement the work being done by schools by providing free, live, interactive webinar lessons in an extensive range of courses at Level 5 (National 5) and Level 6 (Higher).
Twenty courses are currently on offer in the evenings, in a range of subjects including French, Gaelic, Gaidhlig, Mandarin, Spanish, Business Management, Chemistry, Computing Science, Eachdraidh, English, History, Maths, Music, Physics and RMPS.
e-Sgoil Study Support live webinar lessons are scheduled to run for a period of eight weeks in the first instance and employ a ‘flipped’ learning approach, where participants undertake prior learning using supplied resources before attending the real-time 45-minute webinar lesson, hosted in Glow. All e-Sgoil live webinar lessons are delivered by subject specialists and are scheduled after school in the evening.
Angus Mclennan, Head Teacher of e-Sgoil commented:
“e-Sgoil is delighted to offer Senior Phase pupils from across Scotland the opportunity to participate in a wide-range of live webinar lessons that will reinforce school-based learning. Each webinar lesson is a stand-alone learning experience, so new participants are welcome to sign-up to join future sessions”.
Young people can sign-up directly by simply accessing the e-Sgoil Study Support registration form at www.e-sgoil.com
(Pupil Glow login details and Scottish Candidate Number (SCN) are required as part of the registration process).
11 September 2020 (Scots Language Awards)
Celebrate Scots culture and language with the nation’s favourite icons at the 2020 Scots Language Awards online on Saturday 24 October at 8pm.
Awards will be presented in 11 categories. Visit the website for more information and to submit your nominations.
Read more...
CLPL on a theme: bitesize and drop-in professional learning each month
4 September 2020 (SCILT)
From September 2020 to March 2021 the SCILT Professional Development Officers are scheduling a series of themed on-demand and live professional learning that will be open to all in-service and student teachers in Scotland.
Some months, the theme will be applicable to both primary and secondary teachers, in other months the theme will be sector specific.
Around the middle of the month, we will post a film or a piece of reading (c.15 minutes) on the SCILT website. Registration will open for the live drop-in on the same theme.
At the end of the month, the PDO team will host a live drop-in to discuss the bitesize stimulus and the theme in general. The session will last 45 minutes and will feature examples of current practice. Registration is free and open to all teachers and student teachers in Scotland.
Interested?
In September we’re kicking off with a theme that’s relevant to both secondary and primary teachers.
Lessons from lockdown: A look at how our learning and teaching of languages has evolved through the experiences of lockdown. Let’s share our experiences of delivering language education in innovative ways during an unprecedented situation. What works well? What doesn’t? What can we continue to use in post-lockdown practice? Are there methods that actually work better for the “new normal”?
Watch out for the release of our Lessons from lockdown bitesize film. You’ll be able to watch on demand on the SCILT website from Friday 18 September.
At the same time, you will be able to register to join the drop-in session at 4pm on Wednesday 30 September. There will be separate drop-ins on the same theme for primary and for secondary teachers or ITE students.
What’s next? Themes will be revealed in the first e-bulletin of the month, so you’ll get all the latest details straight to your inbox.
If you do join in either live or on-demand, you can keep the professional learning conversation going on social media by following and using the hashtags #SCILT_CLPL #SCILT_bitesize #SCILT_dropin. We are looking forward to connecting with lots of you through this new (to us) approach to professional learning in the coming months.
CLPL on a theme: bitesize and drop-in professional learning each month
28 August 2020 (SCILT)
From September 2020 to March 2021 the SCILT Professional Development Officers are scheduling a series of themed on-demand and live professional learning that will be open to all in-service and student teachers in Scotland.
Some months, the theme will be applicable to both primary and secondary teachers, in other months the theme will be sector specific.
Around the middle of the month, we will post a film or a piece of reading (c.15 minutes) on the SCILT website. Registration will open for the live drop-in on the same theme.
At the end of the month, the PDO team will host a live drop-in to discuss the bitesize stimulus and the theme in general. The session will last 45 minutes and will feature examples of current practice. Registration is free and open to all teachers and student teachers in Scotland.
Sound interesting? Themes will be revealed in the first e-bulletin of the month, so you’ll get all the latest details straight to your inbox. We will be revealing our first theme for September in next week’s e-bulletin.
We are looking forward to connecting with lots of you through this new (to us) approach to professional learning in the coming months.
Virtual after school programme
26 August 2020 (LFEE)
LFEE Europe has created a virtual after school programme (VASCO programme) to offer live language sessions in French and Spanish for primary pupils.
For more information, see the attached flyer.
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) - School Programme October 2020
24 August 2020 (Consejería de Educación)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival is back for its seventh edition and it includes a School Programme aimed at Spanish learning students (6, 7 and 8 October).
Due to COVID-19, the regular format has changed to an Online Event: the film will be available for 48 hours. The way this would work would be through a link sent to teachers, allowing them access to watch the films in class within a set time. In this edition, the School Programme films are ‘Los Futbolísimos’ (P7-S2) and ‘Una vez más’ for (S3-S6).
This programme for Spanish students gives them the opportunity to better their language skills as well as cultural awareness. ESFF has also prepared a set of post-film activities available for students to delve more deeply into films and practice vocabulary.
Tickets £25 per class. For tickets reservations and further information, please contact info.esff@ed.ac.uk
19 August 2020 (The Herald)
With lockdown cutting us off physically from the communities around us, technology has been a vital tool for keeping connected.
This was particularly true for Scotland’s Gaelic-speaking community, with some pioneering young people using online methods to keep the language alive - and its community of speakers connected.
Calum Ferguson, 25, and Donnie Forbes, 23, decided to team up to combine their passion for Gaelic with a love of football. During lockdown, they created YouTube videos that challenged youngsters to practice football tricks while speaking Gaelic phrases.
“If I film myself passing a ball while saying the phrase ‘pass the ball’ in Gaelic, kids eventually put two and two together and learn the language that way,” explains Donnie. “People are seeing us deliver the action, say the action at the same time- that helps the language click.”
“People learn languages in different ways,” adds Calum. “Some will learn by sitting down and reading a textbook, some by speaking it, but others might find that visual learning is best. What we feel is important is giving as many resources as you can to people, to offer plenty of opportunities to speak the language.”
Read more...
6 August 2020 (The Times)
A Scottish university is reviewing the future of its entire foreign languages department as it looks at how to cut its wage bill by £9 million over two years.
Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh, widely seen as Scotland’s centre of excellence for translation studies, has commissioned an external review into French, German, Spanish and Chinese classes.
Read more...
28 July 2020 (Hodder Gibson)
Publishers, Hodder Gibson, are keen to commission new resources to support Modern Languages departments at National 3-5 and would be grateful to hear directly from teachers to establish what they would find useful.
Please help by taking part in the research survey. It will take about 10 minutes to complete.
Read more...
9 June 2020 (BBC)
A French language assistant who remained in the Western Isles during the coronavirus lockdown has been praised for the unique contribution she has made to young people's education.
Mathilde Forgerit arrived in Lewis last August for what was her first experience of teaching French abroad.
During the pandemic she has been able to use the islands' digital learning facilities to deliver classes to young people in other parts of Scotland too.
She said that despite being far from her family, the kindness of islanders stopped her from feeling isolated.
[..] Mathilde returned home to France last week, but the comhairle said she had left behind a positive language learning legacy across island schools.
Senior education officer Mary Clare Ferguson said: "She proved to be such an asset and a natural teacher.
"The pupils loved working with her and gained so much insight from a young person about her life in France, her culture and language. She really motivated them to improve their language skills."
Read more...
26 May 2020 (Learning for Sustainability Scotland)
Get funding to collaborate locally and internationally on the big issues that shape our world.
Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning is here to help you bring Learning for Sustainability and the Global Goals to life for your learners! There are a host of learning opportunities and support on offer through the Connecting Classrooms programme. Whether you are looking for personal development opportunities, or want to collaborate with other schools.
Visit the website to find out more. Next funding application deadline is 15 June 2020.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Scotland,
Citizenship,
CPD,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Cultural Diversity,
Funding,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
21 May 2020 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has created a new portal, Scotland Learns, to help practitioners and parents support children's home learning during school closures.
This week on Scotland Learns the team has added a range of learning activities for parents and carers whose children learn through the medium of Gaelic. Learning activities are also available in English to support parents and carers who may not speak Gaelic.
Read more...
SCILT's COVID response: Live streamed classes
7 May 2020 (SCILT)
This Monday (4 May) saw the launch of the first week of language classes, courtesy of our partnership with e-Sgoil. Demand was far greater than anticipated and despite some issues with registration, valid email addresses and technical challenges, hundreds of youngsters from P1 to Advanced Higher took part in a range of interesting classes. We have now had to stop taking new registrations for BGE and senior phase classes in French and Spanish and Give it a Go Italian as classes are full. Spaces are still available for NQ classes in Gaelic, German, Italian and Mandarin. For secondary pupils who would like to try something new, there are some places available on "Discovering the Arabic World". This gives the opportunity to learn a language that is less frequently taught in schools and explore the fascinating cultures of Arabic speaking countries. Spaces are limited and are allocated on a first come basis.
See the attached timetable with links to enrol.
7 May 2020 (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
If you already have a degree and are interested in teaching through the medium of Gaelic, this a post-graduate diploma in teaching could be the ideal opportunity for you.
Offered by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands network, the one year distance learning course is available in pathways for primary and secondary education.
Visit the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig website for more information.
Read more...
24 April 2020 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest news digest is now available to view online. This edition includes resources available to support schools and parents during closures, information about new Gaelic Bookbug stories and the Young Scots Writer of the Year Competition.
Read more...
20 April 2020 (Scottish Government)
New guidance to support the home learning of children and young people during the new term has been issued.
It aims to build on the significant amount of positive work that has already been undertaken by teachers and education professionals across Scotland to support learning at home, as well as the advice and resources that are already available.
The guidance covers three main areas:
- learning and teaching at home: this includes support for digital learning; children who are likely to be disproportionately impacted; and learners with additional support needs
- parental involvement and engagement: this includes details of local and national support and how local authorities/schools will require a different approach to being updated on a child’s development
- support for teachers and school leaders: including advice on learning resources; supporting pupils’ and staff health and wellbeing; and on leading colleagues and teams during this period
Visit the Scottish Government website for more information.
Read more...
14 April 2020 (The National)
Gaelic broadcasting bosses are to show more children’s content to support young speakers while schools are off.
Extra programmes on science, maths and other curriculum mainstays will be shown on BBC Alba from today.
The Gaelic-medium channel already runs children’s shows from 5pm-7pm every day. Additional content will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
It is hoped that “children won’t even realise they are learning and developing their skills” when watching the tailored material.
Margaret Mary Murray, head of service at BBC Alba, said: “We hope these fabulous learning programmes will offer useful support to teachers, parents and carers and fun learning opportunities for children.”
Read more...
13 April 2020 (TESS)
Scotland’s e-Sgoil – based in the Western Isles – has revealed its plans to deliver a national timetable of live lessons that will be streamed online in a bid to support teachers and pupils in the wake of the UK wide school closures, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking exclusively to Tes Scotland the e-Sgoil – which has four years’ experience in beaming lessons into schools across the country – said it was hoping to partner with online learning platform Scholar in order to deliver live national qualification lessons in a wide range of subjects, as well as offering some lessons aimed at primary pupils.
Scholar – a partnership between Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh and education directors’ association Ades – runs online courses in a range of National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher subjects, providing pupils with learning materials and assessments.
Meanwhile e-Sgoil – which was set up to ensure equal access to courses and subjects for pupils irrespective of where they live – has a team of teachers on its books who have experience of delivering remote lessons in real time in everything from Higher physics, to primary Gaelic. This year it has had a presence in 15 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
The plan is to start streaming the lessons incrementally, beginning with maths and languages – thanks to Scotland's National Centre for Languages (Scilt), and Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools.
Together the languages bodies and e-Sgoil plan to offer taster courses in Spanish, Arabic, Italian, Gaelic and Mandarin suitable for primary and secondary pupils, as well as delivering national qualification courses in French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Gaelic.
Read more...
31 March 2020 (SCEN)
SCEN has drawn up two short surveys, one to gather information ahead of our website revamp, and another to gather information on people's experience with our events and ambassador programme.
Together, they take under ten minutes to fill out, and would be a great help to us in gaining a better understanding how we can improve our engagement and communication.
If you could please complete the surveys from the two links below, and share them with any peers, colleagues, students, or friends you know have an interest in or affiliation with SCEN, it would be much appreciated.
We ask that you please complete the surveys by Monday the 20th of April, so that we can act on the data gathered as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your participation.
SCEN Website Survey - 3 Minutes to Complete
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KD7CH37
SCEN Events and Ambassadors Survey - 4 Minutes to Complete
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/KQJCNQD
Read more...
Online beginner Mandarin classes
30 March 2020 (CISS)
Mathématiques sans Frontières 2020
26 March 2020 (UWS)
Announcement from Alan Walker, University of the West of Scotland:
Due to the current pandemic, we've had to make a big change to the marking of the entries this year, and unfortunately we won't be able to hold our annual prize-giving. However, the overall winner of the Scottish side of the competition will still be offered a prize, and certificates to all schools who entered will be made available (once I can get back into my office).
With regards to the Top 10 teams of each competition, I'll release these over Twitter, in a countdown over the next couple of weeks. If you (or your school/department) don't already follow the MSF twitter account, please do so at https://twitter.com/MSF_Scotland.
For those of you not on Twitter, I'll email the Top 10s after announcing, and will be in touch with the winners directly.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting this competition each year. Thanks also to those who volunteer to mark each year (even though they got a year off this year!). A big thanks too to my colleagues Wan and Ken for their help in putting the questions together for the Scottish side of the competition.
26 March 2020 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Unfortunately, due to the current uncertainty relating to COVID-19, it has been decided with careful consideration to cancel the Summer School this year.
SCILT and Education Scotland will continue to work closely and plan for next summer 2021. Further updates will be communicated in due course.
SCILT and Education Scotland's flagship national leadership programme has been running since 2014 and was recognised at GTCS Excellence in Professional Learning Awards in 2017 and 2018.
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25 March 2020 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has compiled resources and links which are intended to support practitioners in developing online opportunities for learning at home. There are resources for all areas of the curriculum which will be supplemented as time goes on. See the Supporting Online Learning webpage on the Education Scotland website.
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COVID-19: SCILT and CISS update
24 March 2020 (SCILT/CISS)
Given last week's announcement about the cancellation of the exam diet, the SCILT and CISS teams are refocusing their efforts on supporting the BGE. Officers are currently collating high quality, freely available, online materials into an easily accessible section of the SCILT website. Teachers, parents and youngsters will be able, therefore, to find interesting resources and activities in a range of languages, appropriate to their age and stage, all in one place. As you can imagine, this is a huge task, but we are determined to have it completed by mid-April.
In addition, we are currently in discussion with our friends at e-Sgoil so we can provide live streamed classes in Mandarin suitable for beginners in both primary and secondary school stages of the BGE. More news about this and other language learning opportunities via e-Sgoil will be announced nearer the time.
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16 March 2020 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has a fantastic competition for young people aged 11-18 to write a poem, a play, or a song in Scots Language. The competition is run in partnership with Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Government, Scots Hoose and Hands up for Trad.
Visit the competition website for more details and submit entries by Wednesday 24 June 2020.
Read more...
12 March 2020 (SQA)
The SQA is currently recruiting for new markers who would like to be considered for a marking team for 2020.
A Marker marks candidates’ work in line with detailed marking instructions and in accordance with SQA policy and procedures. The prime role is to ensure consistent application of national standards when marking candidate submission(s).
Applications which meet the selection criteria will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Thereafter applications will be reserved for future opportunities in marking in your selected subject.
Visit the SQA website for more information and submit your application by 27 March 2020.
Read more...
9 March 2020 (The Scotsman)
One of the great strengths of Gaelic culture in Scotland is that it cares not at all for the traditional distinctions between art forms; in the Gaelic-speaking world, music, song and theatre tend to appear as aspects of the same mighty storytelling tradition.
[..] “Maim is a Gaelic word that means panic, terror, consternation or alarm,” explains Muireann Kelly, after a week of rehearsals at the National Theatre of Scotland’s Glasgow base, “and there’s no doubt that we want this show to confront some huge and frightening issues we all face now. It’s about the continuing decline of native Gaelic language and culture in the islands, despite more people learning the language in the central belt of Scotland; and it’s also about the threat posed to traditional Hebridean and West Highland landscapes by climate change, as the sea rises into the machair.
[..] The only way you can really protect a language and culture is make new things out of it, to make it part of the present and future as well as the past; and that’s what we try to do.
[..] See Maim in Glasgow, Edinburgh and on tour to Inverness, Aberdeen, Oban and across the islands until 28 March.
Read more...
3 March 2020 (SCILT/CISS)
Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) requires a Professional Development Officer to support the network of Scotland’s Confucius classrooms and the learning and teaching of languages across Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to work at national level and drive forward the strategic languages agenda in Scotland. The successful candidate will be part of the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools team based within SCILT as the Ramshorn building in Glasgow’s city centre. The centre leads 44 Confucius classrooms across Scotland, including secondary, primary and specialist classrooms.
The Professional Development Officer will be responsible for developing and delivering a broad range of support measures to develop the learning and teaching of Mandarin in Scottish schools and communities. This would include, for example, leading professional learning workshops and managing projects such as national awards/competitions and other promotional events.
The post holder will support practitioners to turn policy into practice in order to create a positive impact on learners. This will be based on identification of practitioners’ needs, with particular reference to the place of Mandarin and languages in general, within the National Improvement Framework and the Scottish curriculum. The post holder would, therefore, need extensive experience of leading recent initiatives that promote and support language learning.
Please note, the successful candidate need not be a fluent Mandarin speaker.
Visit the University of Strathclyde's vacancy portal for full details about the post and to apply by 22 March 2020.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
National Qualifications,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
CISS news
2 March 2020 (University of Stirling)
An English and French fourth-year student at the University of Stirling is carrying out research for her final year dissertation on the representation of the francophone cultures in the French language learning materials of S1/S2 and S5/S6 and the role of culture teaching in French language classes. For this investigation, she has prepared an interview for secondary French teachers asking about the French language learning materials they use in class, the way they teach culture and the cultural aspects that they teach.
If you would like to support her research, please complete the questionnaire.
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24 February 2020 (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
The fully funded Postgraduate Certificate in Gaelic Medium Education (Streap) is a Master’s Level qualification of 60 credits at SCQF Level 11.
The programme is aimed at Gaelic speaking GTCS registered teachers (nursery, primary or secondary) who are seeking Gaelic medium education CLPL, or those who are currently in English medium education and who wish to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding in order to teach in Gaelic medium education.
Visit the website for more information and apply now for September 2020 start.
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24 February 2020 (The Herald)
As global interest in Gaelic grows, students from across the world are travelling to Skye to study at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.
Situated in the stunningly beautiful peninsula of Sleat in the south end of the island, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a unique Gaelic-only environment and the only college of its kind offering further and higher education through the medium of the language.
The college offers a range of provision from beginners’ courses to a PhD, with the flexibility of studying part-time or full-time, on campus or via distance learning. At a crucial time in the survival of the language, graduates have helped create a Gaelic speaking workforce that now holds key posts across a wide range of sectors in Scotland.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is one of the key partners in fulfilling the government’s objectives in the National Gaelic Plan, which aims to increase the number of people speaking the language and accelerate the growth of Gaelic.
Many people are keen to learn more about the language because of its rich culture and the college provides a wide range of short courses in Gaelic language, song and traditional music. Ceilidhs, workshops, conversation circles and music sessions all create an encouraging atmosphere that bring together students from 30 countries across five continents.
Read more...
23 February 2020 (Brinkwire)
Cuts to subject specialists, advisers and teacher support networks may be the cause of falling exam results, according to a new report.
An analysis of the falling exam pass rates, published on Thursday evening by the Scottish Government, also cites an growing gap in attainment between the richest and poorest pupils in the country.
Bridging that gap, as well as improving education standards, has long been a key priority for the Scottish Government, which critics now argue they have failed on.
Last night, trade unions and experts spoke out about the contents of the report which had been commissioned by Education Secretary John Swinney last year.
[..] The number of teachers who are specialists in their fields has also declined in the past decade, which has been cited by trade union chiefs as part of the decline in standards.
Figures obtained by the Herald in 2018 show that between 2008 and 2018, the number of subject specialists in secondary schools in Scotland had fallen by 11 per cent overall, with some areas seeing as much as a 44% fall in numbers.
The number of English teachers had fallen by 20% in the decade up to 2018, while the number of French teachers had plummeted by 32%.
German teachers fell by 44%, maths teachers by 15% and general science teachers had declined by 11%.
Read more...
21 February 2020 (Education Scotland)
The latest edition of Education Scotland's newsletter for Modern Languages is now available to view online. This issue includes links to the second suite of resources to support progression from Second to Third level.
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20 February 2020 (TESS)
The Scottish government has been accused of a "dereliction of duty" as new figures show almost a third of Scottish secondaries are failing to teach their pupils a modern language for the first three years of high school – even though Scottish government policy is that children should be learning two foreign languages from upper primary onwards.
A new survey of Scottish councils has revealed that 30 per cent of secondaries are not delivering a second language consistently from S1 to S3.
Scottish government policy states that “language learning is an entitlement for all from P1 to S3”, with the government committed to delivering its 1+2 languages policy by August 2021. This means that pupils should learn two foreign languages – one from P1 and the second from P5 – as well as their mother tongue.
However, the research shows that many secondaries are struggling to deliver even one foreign language for the first three years of high school, let alone two.
These new figures come at a time when there is real concern over the uptake of languages at qualification level in Scottish secondaries, with Higher French entries last year 27 per cent down on entries in 2012 and German Higher entries down 30 per cent over the same period.
Spanish entries at Higher have, on the other hand, almost doubled but this increase has not compensated for the decreases seen in French and German.
The Languages Strategic Implementation Group set up in 2013 to lead the practical implementation of the 1+2 language learning policy has expressed concern that the term “entitlement” – as in the entitlement to learn a language up to S3 – is too vague and could be being “misinterpreted” by schools as “optional and not a right of the child”.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
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19 February 2020 (The Scotsman)
It was a fight that deeply divided language activists and their opponents and rumbled on in the Capital for 14 long years.
Now the campaign to have a dedicated Gaelic primary school in the Capital has been turned into a new book.
Ever since 2013 the city has had its first Gaelic medium education (GME) school at Bun-Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce, a formerly mothballed primary school in Bonnington.
Previously the Gaelic “school” had been simply a unit within Tollcross Primary.
Às na Freumhan, “From the Grassroots”, by Gaelic language expert Tim Armstrong tells the story of the sometimes bitter debate which raged around the subject of Gaelic medium education in the late 20th and early 21st centuries and the fight to get agreement for Taobh na Pàirce to be built.
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19 February 2020 (TES)
Critics of Gaelic-medium education are so out of touch they are like embarrassing 1970s comedians, the Scottish Parliament has heard.
And Gaelic's "very existence is at stake" so debate around the language must be depoliticised, according to a Tory MSP, whose comments were in marked contrast to recent pronouncements from his party.
Alasdair Allan, SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles), said: "Thirty years ago, I remember hearing a prominent Scot – one who should have known better – offering the opinion on the radio that he was 'grateful' that his Gaelic-speaking parents had never spoken Gaelic to him when he was growing up in case that had 'held him back'.
"Let me be clear: the idea that Gaelic or any form of bilingualism might hold children back is a view that I thought had been long relegated to the same embarrassing corner as the views that were expressed by comedians on Saturday night TV around the year 1975."
Dr Allan was speaking – in Gaelic – to a motion calling on MSPs to welcome the decision by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) to enrol Primary 1 pupils into Gaelic-medium education (GME) as the default choice.
His motion also noted that the percentage of children entering GME in the Western Isles has steadily increased over the past decade, and commended the council's "progressive step to consolidate the national language in its heartland communities".
Dr Allan, a former junior education minister, added that "there is an overwhelming consensus among academics and researchers in support of the cognitive benefits of bilingual education". He highlighted a 2010 University of Edinburgh study showing that GME pupils, on a whole, were by Primary 5 outperforming their English-medium education peers in English reading.
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19 February 2020 (Goethe-Institut)
There are different opinions on what good media-based foreign language teaching should look like in the 21st century. In 2020, seven Goethe-Institutes in Northwest Europe will be carrying out a project that deals with this problem and wants to address the following questions:
Does digitalisation enable customized learning opportunities? Do digital learning opportunities motivate German learners? Should modern foreign language teaching be project-oriented and multidisciplinary? Does the use of technical devices such as tablets automatically make teaching modern? Does internal differentiation work better with digital media? Does foreign language teaching contribute to the development of media literacy?
The aim of our project is the development of digitally supported, task- and action-oriented teaching scenarios for German lessons.
The highlight of the project is a multi-day Makeathon (from 13 to 15 May 2020) in Germany. During the Makeathon, you will work with German teachers from the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Norway to develop scenarios for your German lessons with the support of experts. After the Makeathon, you will try out the teaching scenario you have co-developed in your German lessons.
Would you like to be part of the Makeathon and develop teaching scenarios together with other German teachers? There are four places available for teachers in Scotland. Apply until February 28, 2020!
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
German,
Scotland,
CPD,
Funding,
Language Teaching,
Methodologies,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
Technology,
News from language & education organisations
14 February 2020 (Aye Write, Wee Write)
As part of Glasgow's wider Aye Write annual book festival, Wee Write is specifically aimed at children and young people.
Award winning authors, Wee Write favourites and brand new faces will bring books alive at The Mitchell Library and inspire a lifelong love of reading in children. All schools are able to book sessions at the event with Glasgow schools receiving a discounted admission. This year's Wee Write event for schools runs from 2 - 6 March, with a family day also being held on Saturday 7 March.
There are several Scots and Gaelic sessions to be enjoyed and schools can book story sessions at local libraries in a range of foreign languages.
Visit the Wee Write website for more information and booking details.
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Posted in:
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Arabic,
Scots,
Polish
14 February 2020 (Clydebank Post)
Pupils from Corpus Christi Primary School marked the end of a weekly cooking club by celebrating a Spanish tapas night.
Youngsters who attend Spanish Club “El Club Español Familiar” along with family members, travelled to Tennent’s Cook School last Thursday - coinciding with Language Week Scotland.
The event marked their final week with a family celebration theme to apply all of their new language skills.
Read more...
Gaelic Sports Leader SCQF Level 4 Award
14 February 2020 (Highland Council)
A Gaelic sports leader’s level 4 will be running in Plockton High School for pupils aged 13+ between Monday 30 March and Thursday 2 April (3 overnight stays).
The feedback from previous courses has been positive and this gives participants a great chance to enhance their leadership whilst also using Gaelic as the tool to do this.
There are up to 16 places available (8 Highland 8 Western Isles to begin with but this could be flexible depending on demand).
The course is free of charge and all accommodation and hot food is provided - breakfast, lunch and dinner all served at the hostel which is on site at Plockton High School.
See the attached flyer for more information and the booking form.
7 February 2020 (SCILT)
We have a variety of job profiles on our website showcasing careers where languages are in use. The latest addition to our collection comes from Cassandra Scott, an independent translator based in Edinburgh.
Cassandra tells us in a competitive job market it's pays to stand out from the crowd with a skill that not everyone has. So if offered the chance to learn a language, her advice is take it!
Teachers share her profile with your pupils to support the Developing the Young Workforce initiative and highlight the benefits of language learning as a life skill.
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6 February 2020 (Scotland-China Association)
Open to all pupils in P5, P6 and P7 in Scottish schools, this year's competition from the Scotland-China Association asks students to design a kite.
Kites have been made and flown all over the world for thousands of years, and are very popular in China. The aim of the competition is to inspire the creativity of Scottish primary school pupils and to encourage them to learn more about Scotland and China. Entries should explore ideas which demonstrate understanding of links between Scotland and China through the design for a kite. We are working in partnership with RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, where the prize giving will be held.
Individual or group entries are welcomed and should take one of the following forms:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Craftwork (for example an actual kite)
- Writing
- Photography
- Video/media/film (no more than 10 minutes long)
- Embroidery/stitching/textile
See the attached flyer for more information and the entry form, which must accompany all submissions. The deadline for entries is 15 May 2020.
Read more...
4 February 2020 (SCHOLAR)
The remaining online revision sessions for this year for Modern Languages are as follows. Each will be presented by Douglas Angus, the SCHOLAR online tutor for Modern Languages:
- 2 March 2020, 6:00pm - Exam skills - HIGHER MODERN LANGUAGES
- 9 March 2020, 6:00pm - Exam skills - ADVANCED HIGHER MODERN LANGUAGES
Visit the SCHOLAR website for more information and log-in.
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Championing Gaelic is an easy win for language learning
31 January 2020 (TESS)
When Scottish Conservative Liz Smith criticised Gaelic-medium education, she was way off the mark, writes Henry Hepburn.
Monsieur Boudon adored the English language. In a rural corner of France, where hardly anyone could string together more than a few words of English, he spent evenings decoding Bruce Springsteen concept albums and parsing the prose of Charles Dickens’ most doorstep-like novels.
I had just started as an English language assistant at a lycée in Le Puy-en-Velay, in Auvergne, where Monsieur Boudon was an English teacher. In what was both a benevolent gesture and a prime opportunity to test his linguistic mettle, he quickly invited me over for dinner along with two Irish students who were working in other schools.
[..] I thought about Monsieur Boudon last week for the first time in many a year when there was a political stooshie over Gaelic-medium education. Following news of the landmark move that Gaelic would become the default language of schools in the Western Isles, the Scottish Conservatives’ education spokesperson, Liz Smith, was quoted in The Scotsman describing this as a “deeply troubling step” that could put children “at a distinct disadvantage to their peers”.
This felt like an echo of culture wars from a bygone era. There are still a few mutterings on social media about whether train station signs should be in Gaelic, but you rarely hear the overblown denunciations of the language that you used to get.
Now, middle-class parents in Edinburgh and Glasgow – often with no heritage in Gaelic’s heartlands – are clamouring for their children to be taught in the language. And a few weeks ago, it was reported that the Gaelic version of the Duolingo language learning app had become the company’s fastest-growing course ever, with 127,000 sign-ups in the month since its St Andrew’s Day launch.
[..] Attempts to boost Gaelic education should be celebrated, not disparaged – because we are all enriched by a plurality of languages.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
29 January 2020 (Daily Record)
An Uddingston girl set the internet on fire this week with her hilarious rendition of a well-known Scots poem.
Youngster Amari Tade has amassed over 460,000 views online after her mum, Lindsay, uploaded the clip of the seven-year-old practising the role of the dad in Scots language poem ‘A Dug, A Dug’ by Bill Keys.
Amari, whose dad is former professional football player Gregory Tade, was tasked with learning the poem off by heart for a school recital as part of their Burns Day celebrations.
And the pupil took the internet by storm with her cute reactions to her mum, who reads the part of the child who pesters their dad for a ‘dug’.
Read more...
Science Specialist Confucius Classroom / Beyond the Panda
29 January 2020 (RZSS)
The RZSS offer the following education programmes to support the teaching and learning of Mandarin in schools.
- Science Specialist Confucius Classroom - limited FREE sessions at Edinburgh Zoo extended to June 2020. We have two sessions available within our Specialist Classroom. Please note the updated conditions. Please see the attached pdf for details.
- Beyond the Panda - new booklet available which details the overall Beyond the Panda programme and provides guidance on the website. The booklet includes a planning and learning map detailing various Mandarin language topics, the games within the programme and where to find them. See the attached pdf for more information.
28 January 2020 (BBC)
A Scottish council is being asked to consider adding Gaelic to its welcome signs on roads entering the region.
There are currently 20 such boards on routes into Dumfries and Galloway - written only in English.
The chairman of promotion group Gàidhlig Dumgal has contacted the council to ask it to look at the move.
The organisation is particularly keen to see the bilingual signs on the entry routes into Galloway like the A75, A77, A714 and A713.
Gàidhlig Dumgal, the organisation set up nearly a decade ago to promote the language in the region, said there was a "a strong degree of interest" from locals and visitors alike in the Gaelic heritage of the area.
It added that there could be long-term economic benefits, as well as increasing awareness of the language.
The group said a form of Gaelic - Galwegian Gaelic - was spoken in Galloway from around the 5th Century to some time between 1600 and 1800.
Dumfries and Galloway Council's Gaelic Language Plan (GLP) has also recognised the "important role" it played in the linguistic heritage of the region.
"Gaelic speakers resident in our council area form a small but important and culturally active part of our community," it said.
Read more...
27 January 2020 (The Scotsman)
The decision to make Gaelic the default language in the early years of primary education on the Western Isles should be an inspiration to speakers of Scots, writes Alistair Heather.
The news that Gaelic will now become the default first language of education in Na h-Eileanan Siar is a remarkable positive step. It is policy reacting to a community preference for teaching to be conducted in the native language of the area. It has taken years of grassroots activism and pressure to bring this change to pass.
For those 1.5 million of us that speak Scots in Scotland, and especially those in Scots heartlands, we should learn lessons from this Hebridean development and apply them very quickly to Scotland’s other indigenous spoken minority language.
Read more...
24 January 2020 (SCILT)
Following the successful pilot last year, this exciting competition, using Spanish, design team work and creativity is now officially open to secondary schools across all local authorities in Scotland to take part in this year.
Aimed at S3, learners will work in teams to research and design a building in a Spanish speaking area. They will present their design in Spanish, and then go forward to represent their school at national level. The finalists will take part in a live event at the University of Strathclyde where their designs will be judged by industry professionals and academics. The winners (as part of their prize) will have their model made in 3D by the School of Architecture.
This highly motivating project for learners has had a positive effect on uptake in the senior phase for those schools who participated in the pilot in 2019. The skills focus delivers on key aspects of Developing the Young Workforce. The learner materials that are designed to fulfil evidence requirements for achieving Level 4 Benchmarks are available on the SCILT website, and can be easily adapted to suit your chosen group.
Visit the Eventbrite page to find out more and register your interest by Friday 27 March 2020.
Read more...
23 January 2020 (BBC)
Children starting school in the Western Isles this summer will be taught in Gaelic, unless their parents opt-out.
Until now parents had to opt in to Gaelic-medium education (GME) on the islands, where lessons in English was the default.
But from August, all new P1 children will enrol in GME unless their parents request otherwise.
The move was prompted because more than half of parents were expected to choose Gaelic-medium education.
Western Isles council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, is the first of Scotland's 32 local authorities to make the move.
The islands has Scotland's largest Gaelic speaking community.
GME sees lessons delivered in Gaelic until P4 and then English is introduced, with the aim of giving children a bilingual education.
Read more...
Language competitions
22 January 2020 (RZSS)
RZSS and our partner StampIT have launched language competitions. All are based on a fantastic activity which covers many curriculum objectives starting with just one postage stamp. Tell the story of a Spanish, French, Chinese or in fact any country/language stamp. Full details are on the attached pdf leaflets. There are specific leaflets for Spanish, French and Mandarin. There is also another leaflet 'Stamps from around the World' and for this competition any topic (including any language) can be entered. This activity links to the RZSS & StampIT language series.
The competition will continue to run each year, therefore there is no time limit for entries. However for entries to be shown in the 2020 Scottish Annual Congress, please send by 1 March 2020. Entries are encouraged from all age groups. Example pages are shown but younger pupils can still enter and possibly draw around the stamp and write a word or two in the language as appropriate. Pupils can enter more than one of the competitions.
Check out the attached leaflets for more information on each of the competitions. If anyone has difficulty in finding stamps, please contact Sandie Robb - SRobb@rzss.org.uk.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
21 January 2020 (Heriot-Watt University)
Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of undergraduate and postgraduate students. The event takes the form of a formal debate with two multilingual teams arguing for and against a motion of topical interest in a range of languages. The teams deliver their views in their various native languages (French, German, Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, British Sign Language (BSL)).
The audience is mainly made up of pupils coming from Scottish and English secondary schools, along with university undergraduate students considering entering the interpreting profession, as well as government and local authority representatives, The audience participates by listening to the arguments, putting questions to the speakers in the languages represented and voting on the motion.
The Multilingual Debate 2020 will take place on Wednesday 25 March at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus. Two sessions are available and bookings are now being taken. Schools can book up to 15 tickets free of charge.
Visit the website for more information.
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Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Interpreting,
Language Learning,
Translation,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic,
BSL
20 January 2020 (Istituto Italiano di Cultura Edimburgo)
Discover the fascinating world and unparalleled work of Italian film-maker, Federico Fellini. This unique festival at the Filmhouse Edinburgh celebrates the centenary of his birth, with several screenings running from January through to March 2020.
Most are foreign language screenings with subtitles. Several of the titles are suitable for children.
Visit the Filmhouse website for further information and to book.
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17 January 2020 (e-Sgoil)
e-Sgoil is taking applications from S4-S6 pupils for its 2020-2021 Nat 5 and Higher Gaelic (Learners) courses. These courses are fully funded by the Scottish Government, are delivered online and are open to pupils from anywhere in Scotland. See the attached flyer for more information.
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16 January 2020 (Education Scotland)
If you haven't already done so, make sure you get your nominations in for the 2020 Scottish Education Awards! The awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Among the wide range of categories are the awards for Gaelic Education and the Internationalism and Languages award.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for further information and to submit your nomination by 14 February 2020.
Read more...
10 January 2020 (SCHOLAR)
The next online tutor sessions for Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Languages take place on Monday 13 January 2020.
- 6:00pm - Higher Modern Languages: Interactive translation
- 6:45pm - Advanced Higher Modern Languages: Interactive translation
Visit the SCHOLAR website for further information.
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Discover the Arabic world – A unique experience for Scotland’s schools
10 January 2020 (SCILT)
SCILT, in partnership with Qatar Foundation International and eSgóil is currently looking for ten state schools in Scotland who would be interested in opening the door to the Arab world with an innovative new pilot project.
The collaboration will provide an opportunity for both primary and secondary schools to offer L3 learning experiences in Arabic language and culture. Courses will be co-created by the SCILT team and a specially commissioned writing team of native speakers, with language lessons delivered online by a native speaker of Arabic via e-Sgoil. For learners in primary schools the course will be offered as a ten-week inter-disciplinary block of learning. For secondary schools, the course will focus on developing employability skills and be aimed at S6 senior phase learners who are seeking to enhance their language learning experience and their CVs. Participating schools will also receive the support of a fully-trained, native speaking, language assistant. The lessons will give learners the chance to explore aspects of Arabic culture as well as providing a solid linguistic foundation for learning the world’s fifth most spoken language.
In addition to teaching support and professional learning opportunities, schools participating in the pilot phase will also receive a grant of £2000. This can provide schools with resources and experiences that enhance and support the language learning and promote a positive experience of Arabic culture.
If you would like your school to be considered to take part in the pilot, please note your interest at SCILT scilt@strath.ac.uk before close of business on Friday 31 January 2020.
9 January 2020 (Institut français)
The Institut français in Edinburgh is now enrolling for winter term classes commencing 13 January 2020.
Visit the website for information on the courses available and to enrol.
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7 January 2020 (Into Film)
Into Film are hosting fantastic FREE Scots Language Events this month in Edinburgh, Dumfries and Aberdeen. Enjoy a screening of the Highway Rat followed by a reading of the story in Scots by a special guest.
Visit the website now to secure your place - tickets are going fast!
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7 January 2020 (FilmG)
You can now watch this year's YOUTH and OPEN category entries in the FilmG short film competition, and voting is open for the People's Choice Award.
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16 December 2019 (The Times)
Northeast Scotland is to get its own poet laureate to promote the region’s native tongue. Sheena Blackhall, a writer and linguist, has been named as the first Doric makar.
For decades it was forbidden in schools and derided as slang but now Doric, or northeast Scots, spoken from Montrose in Angus to Nairn in the Highlands, has official recognition alongside English and Gaelic.
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12 December 2019 (MEITS)
Scotland’s school population is becoming increasingly more linguistically diverse. Data from the Scottish Schools Census 2018 (all publicly funded primary, secondary and special schools) identified 44,311 pupils (6.5%) learning English as an additional language (EAL) and speaking 149 different languages. This current number of EAL pupils shows an increase of 95% from 2010 when the data was first recorded nationally. At present there are very few opportunities for these children and young people to use and develop their first languages in mainstream schools for educational purposes.
The Scottish Government's 1+2 Language Strategy, launched in 2012, has refocused attention on language policy in education and the provision for language learning in Scottish schools. This radical reform of language learning is based on the 1+2 model recommended by the European Union (EU) and adopted in many European countries and beyond. The ambitious aim is that, by 2021, every school will offer children the opportunity to learn a first additional language from Primary 1 (4-5 years of age), and a second additional language by Primary 5 (8–9 years of age). This 1+2 provision will continue until learners reach the end of Secondary 3 (13–14 years of age).
The 1+2 Language Strategy document includes a commitment to further develop links involving “language communities” to “derive maximum benefit from foreign language communities in Scotland” (Scottish Government 2012, p. 24). The responsibility for putting the strategy into practice is devolved to the 32 local authorities in Scotland and schools can make informed choices about the additional languages to introduce, including languages of the strong economies of the future and community languages of pupils.
However, a review of progress on implementing the strategy shows the languages on offer in mainstream schools remain dominated almost entirely by a narrow range of European languages, such as French and German, and a small number of classes teaching Mandarin and British Sign Language (BSL) (Christie et al. 2016). As yet, there are no established examples in primary schools of teaching community languages such as Polish, Urdu and Arabic.
This narrow provision means it is left to concerned parents from language communities to organise schools and classes themselves in order to develop their children’s heritage languages and literacies as it is integral to cultural traditions. These complementary schools (also known as “community”, “supplementary” or “heritage language” schools) operate in the evenings and weekends and play a key role in ensuring productive parent-teacher engagement. As community-led schools, they enjoy parental support and therefore foster greater engagement with parents compared with mainstream schools (Ramalingam and Griffith 2015). Although the different language communities are aware of the complementary schools in their geographical area through social networking, the provision remains a hidden and untapped national resource for language planning and valuing the linguistic diversity of school communities.
This policy paper reports on a national survey of complementary school providers in order to gain insights into the perspectives of “language communities” in relation to community language learning and their awareness of the 1+2 Language Strategy. This evidence is then used to identify aspects of the 1+2 Language Strategy that could be enhanced and strategies for achieving this.
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6 December 2019 (TESS)
From making imaginary pizzas to becoming interior designers for a doll’s house, learning through play isn’t just for the youngest pupils, argue two Glasgow teachers. They tell Emma Seith how they are using it to support children who speak English as an additional language – and to connect with colleagues around the world.
Have you heard the tale about play-based learning, a viral Facebook page and one of Scotland’s most diverse communities? It involves two young teachers in Glasgow, who have gained thousands of followers around the world for their imaginative use of play in the classroom.
The magic happens at Holy Cross Primary in the Govanhill area, which serves a truly multicultural community. Holy Cross has a significant Romanian and Slovakian pupil population, and there are a large number of children with Pakistani heritage, many of whom speak Urdu and Punjabi. Overall, 80 per cent of pupils speak English as an additional language – something that proved challenging for Rebecca Meighan and Claire Scally when they were both teaching P1.
So, what are they doing that has struck such a chord with teachers around the world?
Meighan and Scally quickly realised that before they could push on with reading and writing skills, they needed to first build up their pupils’ English vocabulary. But they didn’t want to simply show pictures – they wanted pupils to be able to “see and touch and feel these objects”. The solution was to enable them to acquire language in a more natural way: to let them play.
“When we got to teaching phonics, initial sounds and word blends, we were finding it really difficult because the children were coming either with little English or no English at all,” explains Scally. “You always start with the letter S – the ‘sss’ sound – but when we were trying to get them to think of words that start with the letter S, they were just looking at us blankly.”
Meighan and Scally decided to change tack. After brainstorming words with the sound they wanted children to learn that week, they set up play activities related to that sound. For instance, with the “V” sound, one activity was to make a volcano erupt (with lava produced by combining vinegar and baking soda). The children were also given the chance to role-play being a vet; one of the suggested activities was taking a pet dog for a vaccination.
The plan achieved the desired result: instead of looking blank when they were asked to give examples of words featuring the sound they were working on, the children were able to reel off a list. And, importantly, they remembered these words because they had been immersed in a world (albeit an imaginary one) where they were relevant.
“We knew that if we gave children the chance to interact with these objects – to do and not just see – they would remember them and gain some more language from that,” explains Meighan.
Meighan and Scally set up The Power of Play Facebook page to collaborate with teachers outside their school (bit.ly/PowerPlayGla). They quickly discovered that teachers across the UK – as well as from Finland, Norway, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – were on similar journeys and wanted to introduce more play into their classrooms.
At the time of writing, the page had attracted more than 17,000 followers and 16,000-plus likes. Some of Meighan and Scally’s posts, meanwhile, have attracted hundreds of comments.
Many Facebook commenters ask them where they get their resources from, including the miniature apples decorating their cardboard apple trees, brightly painted numbers with googly eyes and “bones” (dog biscuits) used for Halloween activities.
What they have created is a community of teachers helping each other. The ideas that go down well, they say, are the ones that are relatively easy to do, and which feature resources that can be adapted and used again.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
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Parlons français 2020
6 December 2019 (AMOPA)
The competition for Advanced Higher students of French has now been running for over ten years and is back again for 2020!
To enter, all that's needed is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. Judges will assess it, provide feedback to everyone and some will be awarded prizes and certificates. It is hoped that taking part will be a useful exercise to support pupils' learning and preparation and not a distraction. Since they are practising anyway, why not let them have some feedback on that?
For more information and how to enter see the attached flyer.
6 December 2019 (Scottish Parliament)
Well done to all the semi-finalists and finalists of the Gaelic National Schools Debate. And congratulations to winners Sgoil Lionacleit and Raonaid Campbell from Sir E Scott.
The final was hosted at the Scottish Parliament on 5 December and is available to watch on the Scottish Parliament's TV channel.
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5 December 2019 (University of Stirling)
Over the course of this Autumn/Winter semester at Stirling, we’ve continued to develop our work with secondary schools, sometimes focusing primarily on French, sometimes working in collaboration with our colleagues in Spanish, always underlining the advantages that come through studying languages. We’re hoping to post a few more updates about these activities over the coming weeks and, to start with, we’re pleased to be able to post the following article, co-written by Laura, who is in the final year of a BA Hons in English Studies and French, and Michael, who is in Year 2 of his BA Hons programme in Professional Education (Primary) with a specialism in Modern Languages. Laura and Michael’s day saw them representing French at Stirling as Language Ambassadors at Williamwood High School in Clarkston, East Renfrewshire.
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5 December 2019 (Press and Journal)
The north-east of Scotland is home to an unmatched heritage of music, song, and story, history and folklore, and the creativity of the people who live and work here.
A significant part of this inheritance, and one which runs through all the others, is north-east Scots, often known as ‘Doric’ in the northern and western parts of our region, and by many other names as well – Mearns, Toonser, Aiberdeen, Fisher Doric, Buckie, oor tongue, spikkin, and more.
For well over a century, North-East children arriving in school would be taught, and at times coerced, to ‘talk’ as opposed to ‘spik’.
To ‘spik’ meant to use the language of family, hearth, and home, while English was thought to be the way to get ahead in the world.
This language of home and family is part of people’s character, world view, and wry sense of humour.
But it is less used in the more formal walks of life and we don’t hear enough north-east voices in the media, in civic life, and in our schools.
But the language of home, it turns out, is what’s needed for real progress, and real progress is not just about exams and university.
No, real progress is raising children who have confidence in themselves, their language, and in their communities.
[..] But Doric is not just for native speakers. In fact, some of the best pupils doing Scots/Doric at Banff Academy are from outwith Scotland and they’ve picked up the language in no time at all.
Language is a great way to build bridges across communities and with people from other parts of the world.
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4 December 2019 (Scotdec)
Scotdec offers this online course for secondary school teachers across Scotland with an interest in Global Citizenship Education.
Open to all Scottish Secondary school teachers of Maths, English, Modern Languages, Science and Social Subjects, Issue to action will connect you with a network of teachers across Scotland and equip you with the skills to teach your subject through a global citizen lens.
From the comfort of your own home, at a time and location that suits you, you can take part in the Issue to action in a way that fits around your other commitments.
Visit the website to find out more and register your interest for the Spring cohort.
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Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
4 December 2019 (Scottish Education Awards)
The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education.
The annual event recognises those who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcases the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
Among the wide range of categories are the awards for Gaelic Education and the Internationalism and Languages award.
Nominations are now invited.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for further information and to submit your nomination by 14 February 2020.
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3 December 2019 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest Modern Languages newsletter is now available online. This edition includes updates and support resources for 1+2.
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3 December 2019 (Greenock Telegraph)
It's a case of mind your languages for Greenock school pupils who impressed First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as they put on a superb show at the Scottish Parliament.
Whinhill Primary were invited to bring their culture and diversity showcase to Holyrood and blew everyone away with a special performance.
The Greenock school uses performing arts to bring languages to life and the children were able to express themselves in Gaelic, German and Tamil.
Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan arranged for them to come to parliament and said they proved great ambassadors.
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2 December 2019 (Stornoway Gazette)
The semi-finals of the National Secondary Schools’ Gaelic Debate will take place on Wednesday this week.The first semi-final will see Inverness Royal Academy B up against Lionacleit School. The second debate will see Bishopbriggs High School take on Sir E Scott.The two winning teams will meet in the Final, at The Scottish Parliament on Thursday, December 5th, at 7pm, where they will debate, ‘In 20 years time, the real Gàidhlig communities will be situated in the big cities’.
Looking forward to the final, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, said: “Gaelic matters. “It is part of who we are and part of Scotland’s rich cultural identity. The humour, insight and linguistic skill displayed by young people in this competition year after year, convincingly demonstrates that the language continues to flourish. “It gives me immense pleasure that the final will be held on the floor of Holyrood’s debating chamber, marking this, our joint twentieth anniversary.”
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25 November 2019 (SQA)
SQA has published updates to the Advanced Higher Modern Languages course. The document outlines changes to take effect from 2020 and can be found on the SQA AH Modern Languages webpage under subject updates.
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20 November 2019 (BBC)
A word that is commonly used to describe the Scottish weather has been named the "most iconic" Scots word.
"Dreich" - meaning dull or gloomy - topped a poll to mark Book Week Scotland, led by the Scottish Book Trust.
It beat off contenders including "glaikit", "scunnered" and "shoogle".
The charity said the first recorded use of the word "dreich" was in 1420, when it originally meant "enduring" or "slow, tedious".
A total of 1,895 votes were cast in the annual poll.
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20 November 2019 (Education Scotland)
The November 2019 edition of Education Scotland's newsletter for Gaelic Medium Education is now available to view online.
Topics in this issue include:
- National Improvement Hub resources to support GME in the curriculum
- Music and wellbeing resources
- Professional learning and leadership opportunities
- Early years support
- Sharing effective practice to support improvement
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20 November 2019 (SEET)
Have you registered your school yet for either of the competitions run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET)?
The Euroquiz project is open to all P6 pupils across Scotland and sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats commence January 2020.
Our World is a film making project for S3-S6 pupils asking them to use modern languages to express thoughts on topics such as migration and sustainable tourism through the media of film. Deadline for storyboard submissions is 3 December 2019.
More information about each project and how to register can be found on the attached document or visit the SEET website.
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17 November 2019 (The National)
THERE a wheeshit renaissance in literacy gaun on in Scotland the noo. Whither hit’s the floorishin o online sel-publishin thro social media, or fae the wullfu push tae fling aff the dreid “Scottish cultural cringe” oor Scots langage is getting taen fae ben the hoose an pit oot in public ance mair. Ae hing aboot wir Scots langage is oor unique vocabulary o wirds, an fir Book Week Scotland (November 18-24) Scottish Book Trust’ll annoonce the result o their iconic Scots wird vote on Thursday 21 November, via their social media channels.
Scots is the langage maist relatit tae the English langage. Hit’s near eneuch tae English, as a maitter o fack, thit fae the echteent century there a strang unitit effort fir tae hae fowk “spikk proper”.
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8 November 2019 (TES)
More than 1.5 million people said they spoke Scots in the 2011 census, and now this language is enjoying a resurgence in the classroom. The learning benefits are immense, writes Kirsty Crommie.
There are thought to be more than 7,000 languages spoken across the world, with many more not yet known outside the small communities in which they are spoken. Around 330 are spoken in Europe and more than 2,000 in Asia. Over 850 languages are spoken within Papua New Guinea alone (Miaschi, 2017) and, within the thousands of languages spoken worldwide, there are countless dialects and regional variations, rich in vocabulary and sounds.
Language lets us share, discover and make connections. But it is also a representation of culture and identity, and it symbolises the incredibly diverse world in which we live – so, with 75 per cent of the world’s population not speaking English, it is imperative that we encourage the learning of languages throughout school.
And this must include the Scots language: by studying our minority languages, such as Scots, we are celebrating our diverse and fascinating linguistic heritage, as we should.
In primary schools across Scotland, at least one additional language is being taught. The Scottish government’s 1+2 model for languages has a target of ensuring that by 2021, every Scottish school will offer children one additional language from P1 and a second from P5; many schools are well on their way to meeting that goal.
It is a target that is not without its challenges: staff must receive relevant training if they are to effectively deliver the teaching of a language of which they may have little or no experience. But the benefits are such that these challenges must be overcome.
Curriculum for Excellence: Modern Languages Experiences and Outcomes clearly lays out the benefits. Not only are literacy skills enhanced, but pupils learning a new language will also:
- Gain a deeper understanding of their first language and appreciate the richness and interconnected nature of languages.
- Enhance their understanding of their own and other languages and gain insights into other cultures.
- Develop skills that they can use and enjoy in work and leisure throughout their lives.
The benefits apply just as much to children learning minority languages. In Scotland, there are three native languages: English, Scots and Gaelic. While English is the most common, more than 1.5 million people said they spoke Scots in the 2011 census, while over 57,000 said they spoke Gaelic.
A number of schools exist to provide teaching and learning through Gaelic, particularly in the areas where it is spoken most, but the teaching of Scots is generally left to schools and teachers with an interest in and enthusiasm for Scots, although some have opted to include Scots as part of their 1+2 approach.
(Note - subscription required to access full article)
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RZSS China Mobile Library - What's on offer?
7 November 2019 (RZSS)
The RZSS China Mobile Library is available throughout Scotland free of charge. Choose from the 'panda pack package' which includes panda expert visits with free panda packs of resources or Chinese Endangered Species outreach sessions. More information can be found on the attached pdf flyer. Please include all the details requested in your email if you wish to book.
RZSS Science Specialist Confucius Classroom - What's on offer?
7 November 2019 (RZSS)
RZSS Specialist Confucius Classroom has limited free places for two sessions at Edinburgh Zoo.
- Our P3-P4 'It makes Panda Sense' session is available to book from October through to December.
- Our P5-P7 'China's animals and habitats will be available from January to April but bookings are being taken now. The P5-P7 session is in our new amazing immersive space!
Please read the attached pdf flyer for more information and please include all the details requested in your email if you wish to book.
3 November 2019 (Grampian Online)
Entries are being sought for an annual Scots language writing competition.
The Keith branch of the Traditional Music and Song Association of Scotland are looking for entries for the Charles Murray Writing Competition, which encourages the passing down of the Scots language from generation to generation.
The competition was launched to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Charles Murray, an Alford-born poet, and is now into its sixth year.
Work entered into the competition can be prose or poetry and can be written about anything – but has to be in Scots. The competition is open to anyone, of any age, but must be written by two or more people of different generations – for example mother and daughter or grandfather and grandson.
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30 October 2019 (Goethe-Institut)
The fifth edition of FOKUS: Films from Germany runs from 21 November 2019 to 31 January 2020. Screenings will take place at various venues throughout Scotland. The programme includes two school screenings of 'the Resistance'. The film is suitable for pupils aged 12+ and is screened in German with English subtitles.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full programme details.
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29 October 2019 (The Scotsman)
A new Gaelic 'immersion' course is being set up at Glasgow University to help create a new generation of Gaelic-speaking professionals in Scotland.
The one-year course at Glasgow University will offer an intensive language learning experience for students and adult learners.
Students will undertake eight-months of tuition at the university followed by a three-week residential school at Ceòlas Uibhist, the Gaelic education and cultural centre in South Uist.
The course has been set up with a grant of £455,000 from the Scottish Funding Council.
It comes as Glasgow City Council considers a £16m commitment to build a fourth Gaelic Medium Education (GME) school.
The new course will help meet demand for Gaelic-speaking teachers as pupil numbers rise.
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28 October 2019 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse has launched their annual Concours de la Francophonie for schools, which aims to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
Entries can be submitted in four categories: P1/P4 - P5/P7 - S1/S3 - S4/S6.
The submission deadline is 20 January 2020.
This school competition is sponsored by TOTAL E&P, the Franco Scottish Society and is organised in partnership with the Alliance française de Glasgow, SALT, SCILT and the University of Edinburgh.
Visit the Institut français website for more information and to discover previous competition winners.
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25 October 2019 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow currently has the following opportunities for French language learners. Click on the relevant link for more information:
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information about the organisation and the activities they offer.
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Speakers of Arabic - call for writers
24 October 2019 (SCILT)
SCILT is currently planning to develop materials to support the learning and teaching of Arabic as an L3 option for primary and secondary schools in Scotland.
If you are a fluent speaker of Arabic, ideally with an understanding of Scottish education, and would like to contribute to the development of these materials by joining our working group, please note your interest by contacting SCILT by close of business on Monday 11 November 2019.
Full support will be given by the SCILT professional development officers on policy, the Scottish curriculum and appropriate methodology. Contributors will be paid as SCILT associates for their time and expertise.
23 October 2019 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading that takes place every November. The programme for this year's Book Week Scotland has just been launched. The programme includes workshops, poetry and storytelling sessions in Gaelic and Scots for both adults and children.
Visit the website to find out about events and activities taking place near you.
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22 October 2019 (ECNS)
Architects have begun construction on the Chinese outpost of a top-ranked Scottish school that will offer bilingual education to elementary and high school students.
Fettes Guangzhou is a collaborative venture between Chinese education company Bright Scholar and Edinburgh-based Fettes College, opened in 1870, which counts former United Kingdom prime minister Tony Blair among its alumni.
Set to open in September next year, Fettes Guangzhou will be the brand's first international campus.
The school will be dual-curricular, offering up to 2,000 students aspects of both the British and Chinese education systems. Fettes Guangzhou will teach boys and girls and take full boarders as well as day students.
"Fettes Guangzhou will be a true reflection of Fettes College internationally, fully adopt our ethos, provide an outstanding academic education, focus on sector-leading pastoral care and introduce a wealth of co-curricular activities to broaden the horizons of all of its students," said Bruce Dingwall, who is deputy chair of the Fettes Trust.
Situated on the northern outskirts of Edinburgh, Fettes College was named Scotland's top independent secondary school in 2018 by The Sunday Times School Guide, which uses results from General Certificate of Secondary Education, A-Level, and International Baccalaureate exams to determine its rankings.
Several high-profile individuals have attended Fettes, including 2015's Nobel Prize in Economics winner Angus Deaton, Academy Award-winning actress Tilda Swinton, and sinologist Roderick Mac-Farquhar, who served as director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University.
Bright Scholar is China's largest operator of international and bilingual schools, and the company has made a string of investments in British education in recent years.
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18 October 2019 (The Guardian)
The number of Gaelic speakers in Scotland’s island communities has plummeted in less than a decade, according to a leading Highland researcher who believes the language is on the point of “societal collapse” across Scotland.
Although just over 58,000 people reported themselves as Gaelic speakers in the 2011 Scottish census, Prof Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, the director of the Language Sciences Institute at the University of the Highlands and Islands, will publish a study next year following extensive fieldwork in the Western Isles, Skye and Tiree that estimates that the vernacular group on the islands, where speakers are most heavily concentrated, does not exceed 11,000.
Ó Giollagáin believes that existing policies to promote Gaelic focus too heavily on encouraging new speakers, mainly in urban areas, or promoting it as a heritage language, and that without a significant shift to supporting existing speakers, Gaelic “will continue as the language of school and heritage but not as a living language”.
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15 October 2019 (The National)
Scotland's Gaelic development board has unveiled a new campaign inspired by a scheme in Wales aimed at spreading pride in the language.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig launched the “#cleachdi” hashtag at the Royal National Mod 2019 in Glasgow.
The body is urging Gaelic speakers and learners to include #cleachdi alongside #useit and #gaidhlig on social media, email signatures or by wearing the symbol on stickers, showing their pride in the language.
Shona MacLennan, Bòrd na Gàidhlig chief executive officer, said: “More and more people want to use and learn Gaelic and this initiative is a very positive and easy to use means to encourage more people to use more Gaelic in more situations.
“We will be joining all those who speak the language in displaying our pride at letting others know we are Gaelic speakers. We think #cleachdi is the perfect way to do this. So let’s #useit and put #gaidhlig firmly on the map.”
The new #cleachdi campaign is similar to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s “Iaith Gwaith”, or “Welsh at Work”, scheme, which is used in Wales to show that a service is available in Welsh.
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14 October 2019 (SQA)
SQA has published Advanced Higher Gaelic (Learners), German, Italian and Chinese languages course reports for the 2019 exam diet.
The reports provide information on candidates’ performance.
Visit the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage to access the reports.
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11 October 2019 (Scottish Government)
The Scottish Government is to provide £2 million of capital support towards a fourth Gaelic primary school in Glasgow.
The new school, likely to be in the north-east of the city, is being built to meet demand for Gaelic medium education.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the investment as he formally opened the 116th Royal National Mod in Glasgow.
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9 October 2019 (Stornoway Gazette)
A new Gaelic language play about climate change is nearing the end of a successful six week national tour of Gaelic medium primary schools.
An Rabhadh (The Warning), performed by Artair Donald and Katie Hammond, highlights the concerns regarding climate change and points to the positive changes that can be made to reduce waste and our carbon footprint.
The tour, which started at the end of August, will visit 47 schools across Scotland, taking in the central belt, Perthshire, Aberdeen, Argyllshire, Skye and Lochalsh and the Western Isles.
The final leg will include visits to schools in the Highland Council area, East Kilbride and the Isle of Tiree.
Aimed at upper primary pupils, the play has been produced through Fèisean nan Gàidheal’s Gaelic language theatre-in-education project Meanbh-chuileag and was written and directed by Angus Macleod, Drama Officer with Fèisean nan Gàidheal. He explained: “The play features two environmentally-friendly aliens who are on a mission to rescue Earth in the year 2119.
“Unfortunately they find that reversing the effects of environmental damage is not possible but a time-travelling gizmo enables a journey back to 2019 to warn the planet’s occupants before it’s too late.”
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8 October 2019 (Discovery Film Festival)
This year's Discovery Film Festival takes place from 19 October to 3 November. Now in its sixteenth year, the festival brings another selection of the best films for young audiences from around the world. With several native language films on offer, and a programme for schools, language learners have a great opportunity to test their listening and comprehension skills.
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Urdu
3 October 2019 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest Modern Languages Newsletter is now available online. This edition includes an update on 1+2 policy on the delivery of L3 in the secondary context.
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29 September 2019 (The Scotsman)
Writers, broadcasters, singers, poets and schools have been honoured at the first ever Scots Language Oscars, in the latest addition to the nation’s traditional arts and culture calendar.
The event, which saw 11 awards presented at the Mitchell Theatre in Glasgow, was launched to coincide with the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Languages initiative.
The new Scots Language Awards celebrate the country’s original tongue, which dates back around 1,400 years and is thought to have been spoken by almost a third of the population.
The event, backed by arts agency Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government and the Scots Language Centre, has been instigated by Hands Up for Trad, who are also behind the BBC Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year contest, which has been staged for the last 20 years, and the Scots Trad Music Awards, which were launched in 2003.
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24 September 2019 (Alliance Française)
The autumn term has now started at the Alliance Française in Glasgow. Below is information on some of the upcoming events and activities this session. Click on the appropriate link for more information:
To find out more about the full range of courses and activities on offer, visit the Alliance Française website.
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24 September 2019 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has published their latest Gaelic education newsletter. This edition includes information on the following:
- New educational resources
- Leadership programmes
- Sharing effective practice - workshops and resources
- Professional learning opportunities
- Links to information and resources from partners supporting Gaelic in the curriculum
Access the newsletter online.
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19 September 2019 (Confucius Institute for Scotland)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland in Edinburgh offers a diverse programme of evening classes for the general public to enjoy learning Chinese. Autumn 2019 courses will start week beginning 30 September and booking for these classes is now open.
Visit the website for more information.
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19 September 2019 (Maths Week Scotland)
As part of Maths Week Scotland, pupils of all ages can participate in the 'Maths wi nae borders' competition, which requires students to respond to one of the questions in either Gaelic or Scots.
The competition is inspired by 'Mathématiques sans frontières'. North Lanarkshire Council, the University of the West of Scotland and Heriot Watt University work together to encourage young language learners to apply their knowledge in a Maths setting.
This stimulating and light-hearted competition for secondary schools combines Maths and Modern Languages and aims to motivate pupils in both their Maths and Language Learning. The first question requires an explanation in a foreign language.
Teachers look out for the e-mail inviting you to take part in 'Mathématiques sans frontières' in January 2020.
Meanwhile get your classes involved this Maths Week in the 'Maths wi nae borders' competition. Entry deadline 18 October 2019.
Visit the website for more information.
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18 September 2019 (SEET)
Want to get pupils more engaged in language learning, global citizenship and encourage uptake? Are you keen to improve their confidence and win an award or two? Then get involved!
SEET’s popular Our World film making project has now launched for the 2019-20 year! Our World uses film making and global citizenship as a means to help pupils explore and improve their use of foreign languages. It’s totally free, and all you have to do is sign up. Last year over 70% of participant pupils said they were more likely to continue with their study of languages after taking part.
Teams of four, from S3-S6, need to come up with a creative idea for a film based on one of this year's themes and submit their storyboard by 3 December 2019.
See the attached flyer or visit the website for more information.
Read more...
16 September 2019 (TES)
A review of the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence is needed to ensure that pupils' aspirations are being met and that they have a wide enough range of opportunities in schools, MSPs have found.
This is one of the recommendations of a report published today by the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee, following an inquiry into the number of subjects available to pupils and, in particular, concerns over subject choice at S4.
The committee heard that, following the introduction of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), there had been confusion and inadequate support from Education Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
[...] The committee also heard evidence that the changes to curriculum structure have had a negative impact on the number of pupils taking languages and Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, leading to concerns about the future of these subjects in Scotland’s schools.
Read more...
Related Links
Review of senior phase (Scottish Government, 16 September 2019)
Education review ordered amid subject choice concern (BBC, 16 September 2019)
Call for help!
12 September 2019 (SCILT)
You will no doubt have seen in the news the terrible situation our colleagues at Woodmill High School in Fife are facing. Janet Monaghan, the Principal Teacher of Languages there, has asked SCILT if the languages community could help her replace some of the materials that she and her colleagues have lost in the fire. Janet is determined to keep the learning experience for her young people as normal as possible and this is our chance to help her ensure that her youngsters don’t miss out. If you can help, please email us at scilt@strath.ac.uk with details of any materials you’re able to share with her. In particular she is focusing on the senior phase and is looking for the following resources:
- A4 plastic wallets
- Foolscap folders
- CD Players
- DVDS (French/German/Italian films or video clips)
- Verb Tables book (French / German)
- French, German and Italian pocket dictionaries
- French Hachette or Collins Grammar plus dictionaries (for Higher)
- German Collins and Grammar dictionary
- Plastic boxes (for storage)
- French & German literature e.g. le petit prince
- Show me boards/erasers/pens
- External Hard drives
- Voice recorders
- USBs
- Notebooks/tablets
- Studio 1, 2,3
- Echo 1,2,3
- Stimmt 1,2,3
- Study Guides - Nat 5 and Higher French and German
SCILT will be in touch about collating and distributing the materials to her.
13 September 2019 (Radio Lingua)
Radio Lingua is a leading publisher of language resources including the award-winning Coffee Break French, German, Italian, Spanish and Chinese courses and the High Five courses for primary. Through our podcasts and strong presence on social media we strive to provide a high quality learning experience for a worldwide community of learners, delivering over 2.5 million language lessons every month. Our team is based in Glasgow and we work with a local and remote team of native speakers and teachers to produce our resources.
As part of our outreach programme we are delighted to offer a work experience opportunity to students currently in S6. This will take place from Monday 21st to Friday 25th October 2019 and aims to allow young people with an interest in languages first hand experience of a dynamic workplace where languages are used on a daily basis. There will be a total of six places available.
Before submitting an application, pupils must ensure they meet the following criteria:
• must be intending to study a language at university after leaving school.
• must currently be in S6.
• must have successfully passed at least one Higher in a language in S5.
• must live within one hour’s commuting distance from our Glasgow city centre offices and will be responsible for making their own way to and from the office for a 9:30 start and 4:30 finish each day.
• must have permission from school to be out of school for the duration of this five-day programme.
Interested students should complete the application form on our website by Friday 27 September at the following link: https://radiolingua.com/work-experience-2019/
Read more...
11 September 2019 (Creative Multilingualism)
All the World is Our Stage: primary pupils never lost in translanguaging, a multilingual performance showcasing heritage and school languages, has brought pupils and teachers from Whinhill Primary School together with actress-singer, Rebecca Cameron, and creative language learning social enterprise, The Language Hub.
Warm and welcome feelings and emotions engulfed me the first time I set foot in Whinhill. Bilingual signs in English and Gaelic adorn the school, leaving no wall silent, and as you venture inside, the building also speaks through imagery and words in French. What a pleasure to the eye, and a delicacy for the soul!
The school currently offers Gaelic and French under the 1+2 language approach to language learning, and hosts a Gaelic Medium Education (GME) unit allowing pupils to learn through the medium of Scottish Gaelic.
The multilingual realities of our pupils is not always acknowledged, or even recognised, in the school context. English as the societal and school language can stifle pupils’ heritage languages. This project sought to combat that by raising awareness about multilingualism and celebrating linguistic diversity through the performing arts.
Visit the website to read the full article, which contains links to the resources used in the project.
Read more...
10 September 2019 (The Edinburgh Reporter)
Scottish Book Trust has announced that applications are open for their What’s Your Story? programme. Now in its fifth year, the scheme has helped around 30 young Scots to develop writing, illustration and performance projects.
14 – 17 year olds living in Scotland are encouraged to apply for an all expenses paid opportunity to learn, grow and create as a writer or illustrator.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said : “Nurturing new young talent in the Scottish literary scene is so important and Scottish Book Trust is proud to launch the fifth year of What’s Your Story, focused on supporting young people. The programme offers a truly unique opportunity and we urge parents and teachers to encourage the teens in their lives with a passion for writing or illustration to apply.”
[..] The Gaelic Books Council funds a Gaelic-language place.
Applications close on 27 November 2019, and can be made online.
Read more...
World Wide Napier magazine - call for submissions
10 September 2019 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Building on the success of the first three issues, Worldwide Napier, a magazine in foreign languages designed by our language students to encourage language studies, is currently looking for contributions in French, German and Spanish for its fourth issue.
Students from secondary schools, colleges and other universities are invited to submit articles, written individually or collaboratively in the language they are studying. The magazine will be published by the end of December and will be available in digital and hard copy format, distributed for free in Scottish schools, Edinburgh cafés and cultural institutions.
See the attached flyer for more information. Submission deadline is 1 November 2019.
9 September 2019 (SQA)
SQA has published Advanced Higher Spanish and French course reports for the 2019 exam diet.
The reports provide information on candidates’ performance.
Visit the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage to access the reports.
Read more...
4 September 2019 (SCHOLAR)
Our upcoming Online Tutor Sessions for Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Languages for the academic year 2019/20 have been scheduled.
For more information please visit the SCHOLAR website.
Read more...
4 September 2019 (The Herald)
The discussion around the Gaelic language in Scotland has tended to veer towards the romantic, the ethereal, and occasionally the political. It can certainly fall under the banner of misinformation from kneejerk detractors.
What is rarely considered are the considerable cognitive and educative benefits of learning Gaelic or learning in the Gaelic medium.
Based in Inverness, Bòrd na Gàidhlig was established to promote the development of the language in Scotland. Its CEO is Shona McLennan, who explains that like many minority languages Gaelic has been in decline, but the mission of Bòrd na Gàidhlig is to promote Gaelic language, Gaelic education, and Gaelic culture with a view to reinvigorating the language.
“One of the most effective ways to do this is to provide education in the medium of the language,” says Shona. “Alongside education in the language, pupils also need opportunities to use it outside of the classroom. You need activity around the learning such as sports activities, arts and music.”
Read more...
Education Scotland Gaelic resources
30 August 2019 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has recently published the Gaelic version of the Slavery and Human Trafficking resources. The Gaelic versions of the Review of Family Learning and the Review of Learning at Home are also now available.
26 August 2019 (Yakety Yak)
Improve your foreign language conversation in a local café, in a small group with an experienced tutor.
We meet
- in the relaxed atmosphere of local cafes and bistros in Edinburgh and Glasgow
- in small groups of similar level of fluency
- with a tutor who is a native speaker for each group
- each session normally has a minimum of 2 tutors to cater for most abilities
- No need to book - just drop in. However, if it is your first time with us, we recommend you phone or email us to discuss your level and the best session for you first
Conversation classes commence from 2 September 2019. Visit the website for details of sessions running in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Read more...
Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning - Adults,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Japanese,
Portuguese
23 August 2019 (SEET)
Our World is a languages and citizenship based film making project for S3 - S6 pupils run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET). It's designed to complement the curriculum for excellence and attainment challenge by providing a free project, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to encourage pupils to become more engaged in their language learning.
Participants submit a storyboard outlining the film they propose to make. This year's films should explore the idea of global citizenship and touch on one or more of the following themes:
- Migration and welcome
- Sustainable Tourism
- Trade
The film must also include the use of a language other than English. Entry deadline is 3 December 2019.
Schools wishing to take part should visit the SEET website for more information and to register.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Citizenship,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
Technology,
News from language & education organisations
23 August 2019 (TESS)
Earlier this month the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) published annual data on qualifications at all levels.
Tes Scotland has examined the figures to find the most popular subjects at Higher level in 2019, a list that includes all 27 subjects with at least 1,000 entries. Also included are four subjects which had more than 1,000 entries in 2016 – the first year that only the new version of the Higher was run – but which have now dipped below 1,000 entries.
In brackets are the number of Higher entries for each of the 31 subjects in 2016. This offers a better comparison that the figures for 2015, the first year in which the new version of Higher was offered, as for that year only the old Higher was also available.
Finally, below that, we also take a look at which subjects are losing popularity at Higher level, and which are on the rise, by calculating the percentage difference between entries in 2016 and 2019 for each of the 31 subjects.
The figures suggest that social subjects are being squeezed, with geography, in particular, seeing a fall in entries of almost 16 per cent between 2016 and 2019.
But there are even bigger falls in some subjects, including computing science (27.5 per cent) and French (25.4 per cent) and – the biggest fall proportionally – philosophy (34.8 per cent).
Few subjects have seen rises in entries, with Spanish among those to increase (17.5 per cent), although by far the biggest rise proportionally is in politics (55.3%).
For context, overall entries fell from 197,750 in 2016 to 185,914 in 2019, a drop of almost 6 per cent. In italics are all the subjects where the percentage drop in entries is Higher than the overall percentage drop in entries across all subjects.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
Read more...
22 August 2019 (SCILT)
SCILT requires a Professional Development Officer to advise and support primary schools across Scotland with language learning and teaching. This is an exciting opportunity to work at national level and drive forward Scotland’s agenda for languages at a strategic level.
The Professional Development Officer will be responsible for developing and delivering a broad range of support measures for teachers of languages. This would include, for example, leading professional learning, managing projects, assuming responsibility for national awards/competitions and other language related events.
It is expected that the postholder will support practitioners in turning policy into practice to create a positive impact on learners. This will be based on identification of practitioners’ needs, with particular reference to the aims of the National Improvement Framework, the 1+2 languages policy and Developing the Young Workforce. The postholder would need extensive experience of leading recent modern language initiatives in a primary school context. Established expertise in creative approaches to learning, teaching and assessment is essential.
Ideally, the post holder will have experience of external partnership working with the aim of developing interesting contexts for learning and intercultural awareness. The successful candidate will be competent in the use of digital technologies and will have the ability to work not only on her/his own initiative but also as part of a team. Excellent organisational, ICT and communication skills are essential, as is an ability to be flexible and responsive to our stakeholders’ needs.
Visit the University of Strathclyde's vacancy portal for further information and to apply. Closing date: 3 September 2019.
Read more...
20 August 2019 (University of Edinburgh)
The Centre for Open Learning at the University of Edinburgh offers short courses in Arabic, BSL, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish and 13 other languages.
Courses are two hours a week over ten weeks. Enrolment for Autumn courses (30 September – 6 December) is now open online.
Read more...
19 August 2019 (SQA)
SQA has updated Listening and Discursive Writing and Reading and Translation specimen question papers for Advanced Higher Modern Languages.
The specimen question paper updates can be accessed on the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages page.
Read more...
19 August 2019 (RZSS)
The China Mobile Library panda packs are now available online and free! Although the expert visits and outreach have been free of charge since November 2018, the resources in the panda packs used to be either on loan or available to purchase. They are now available online to all - beyondthepanda.org.uk under the China Mobile Library section.
Associated expert visits and outreach sessions are still free and include different materials and resources which are only available on booking. These enhance the learning from the panda packs. Free teaching training sessions can also be booked. See the attached document for more information and visit the website.
Read more...
15 August 2019 (Discovery Film Festival)
Discovery is Scotland's International Film Festival for children and young people. Taking place from 19 October to 3 November 2019, the Festival is in its sixteenth year and brings another selection of the best films for young audiences from around the world. With several native language films on offer, language learners have a great opportunity to test their listening and comprehension skills.
Teachers visit the Festival website to take a look at the programme for schools. The programme contains information about associated CPD sessions taking place during August and September which you can attend prior to your school visit.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
15 August 2019 (RCS Haven)
The Russian Centre in Scotland (RCS) latest news bulletin is now available to view online. It contains information on classes for adults and children who are interested in studying Russian language, literature and culture as well as news about upcoming events.
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14 August 2019 (Daily Record)
Two Galloway writers are among nine scrievers nationwide to be awarded funding to support their work in Scots.
Stuart A Paterson from Kirkbean and Susi Briggs from Gatehouse have both received Scots Language Publication grants.
The scheme, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers.
Read more...
13 August 2019 (Education Scotland)
Inclusion in Practice is a badged professional learning module which has been designed to support equitable professional learning on inclusive practice for education practitioners in secondary schools and local authorities in Scotland.
It is based on The CIRCLE Framework, a collaboration between practitioners in Edinburgh City, Queen Margaret University and NHS Lothian, that has been adapted for modular learning by Education Scotland.
Visit the Education Scotland website for more information about the resource and how to use it to improve practice.
Read more...
13 August 2019 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
The Scottish Gaelic Awards reward all aspects of the Gaelic language and culture across the length and breadth of the country.
The Daily Record, alongside headline sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig are proud to host the most prestigious night of the year within the Gaelic community calendar. Celebrating Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage.
The awards are now in their seventh year and attended by over 200 guests including finalists, event sponsors and members of the Gaelic community. The event itself will be a celebration embracing traditional and modern entertainment.
The Scottish Gaelic Awards will take place on Tuesday 19 November at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel and returning to host the event will be Scottish Broadcaster and Producer, Cathy MacDonald.
Visit the website for more information and to view the award categories. Submit your nominations by 25 September 2019.
Read more...
Related Links
Gaelic Awards: hail the Gaels (Daily Record, 13 August 2019)
13 August 2019 (The Conversation)
Rude, crude and extremely funny, “Scottish Twitter” has garnered much attention in recent years for its uniquely Celtic wit – and for the specific ways it uses language.
Journalist Eve Livingston’s recent article for The Face examines the many social and cultural features of Scottish Twitter. But the fact it has provided a medium for written Scots language to evolve in a way that wasn’t possible before the advent of social media is equally fascinating.
Scots is officially recognised as one of the minority languages of Scotland. It has existed and thrived for centuries in writing as well as speech. From poets Robert Burns, Hugh MacDiarmid and Sheena Blackhall to novelist Irvine Welsh, the language has a rich literary tradition, and even has its own dictionary. More recently, it has moved into the digital world, finding itself unexpectedly and enthusiastically embraced on social media.
Read more...
9 August 2019 (TES)
One head explains how a partnership with a school in Palestine has helped pupils to gain a new perspective on the world.
In the 21 years that I have worked at Lockerbie Primary School, we have developed our international curriculum to help change the perception of what most people think of when they hear Lockerbie – the air tragedy in 1988 – and instead showcase our town to the world in a more positive light and help broaden pupils’ horizons, too.
We’ve done this in numerous ways, from the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, which provides funding to schools for international activities, to working on a number of British Council eTwinning projects, most notably Hands of the World, which brings children of the world together through music and Makaton.
But the international connection that has sparked the most joy over the years has been our link with the Al Shurooq School for Blind Children in Palestine.
The partnership began in 2005 after a series of emails between me and Al Shurooq’s founder, Helen Shehadeh. Our local minister, who met her on a visit to Bethlehem, introduced me to her.
By the end of the year, as pupils, parents and members of the wider school community looked on, I was using my mobile phone and a microphone to talk to Helen during our Christmas assembly. Two of our P7 pupils, aged 11, then spoke with two pupils from Al Shurooq about their respective schools and how they celebrate the festive season, before wishing each other a “happy and peaceful Christmas”. It was one of the most moving moments in my whole career.
Around five years ago we moved on to focused, whole-school joint curricular projects after Ruba Aburdeinah was appointed as the new director at Al Shurooq.
These mini-projects have primarily centred on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace in September. Every year each of my 12 primary classes, plus our nursery classes and Learning Centre for children aged 2-18 with complex and continuing needs, exchanges work on the theme of peace with a different partner school from around the world. Last year, we exchanged items with schools in 15 different countries, with our Learning Centre pupils making “peace postcards” to send to Al Shurooq.
Music has proved to be a unifying force, too, with students using the World Voice Songbook to learn about each other’s cultures through traditional songs in each other’s language.
We have also enhanced pupils’ understanding of life in Palestine through the Culture in a Box project. This eTwinning initiative asks pupils to choose 10 items they think best represent their culture and explain why. These items then go into a shoebox, which is exchanged with boxes from schools in other countries.
Refugee Week is also an important focus for us, once again prompted by our connection with Al Shurooq. This year we took part in Refugee Week’s Ration Challenge, which asked people to eat and drink the same as a Syrian refugee living in a camp in Jordan for a week. Our class teachers also led themed activities throughout the week and we invited parents and the wider community to attend a Time for Reflection assembly.
(Note - subscription required to access full article).
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8 August 2019 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse is now enrolling for their autumn term classes. Unsure of your level? Take the free online placement test. Visit the website for more information.
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6 August 2019 (TESS)
Higher computing entries fall by 21%. Setting aside computing, the sciences fared better in terms of changes in uptake than the social subjects.
French experienced a 10% dip in entries, whilst Spanish saw a 9% increase from last year.
Read more...
OU/SCILT primary languages course
31 May 2019 (SCILT/OU)
We are happy to announce that registration is now open for the OU/SCILT primary languages course, which will be running again from October 2019. In light of positive feedback and popularity of the first year of the course, we are now also delighted to offer a second year, post-beginners’ course. The latter would be suitable for those who have successfully completed year 1 and wish to continue their studies, or for those who are looking to begin studying at a more advanced level.
- The courses will run from October 2019 to July 2020, and will develop language and pedagogy skills; language learning is provided by the Open University and pedagogy is provided by SCILT. The courses are aligned to the Scottish curriculum and support the 1+2 languages approach.
- Both courses are delivered online with two opportunities to attend face-to-face day schools.
- Learning is very flexible and participants can study at a time and place of their choosing.
- Each course carries a fee of £252, reflecting the input and student support for the language and pedagogy strands from both organisations.
Funding may be sponsored through your school or Local Authority who can register on your behalf. Initial registration information must be submitted to the OU by Monday 17 June 2019 and LAs should contact Scotland-Languages@open.ac.uk.
Students also have the option to fund the fee themselves. In this case, an interested teacher should contact the OU directly at Scotland-Languages@open.ac.uk.
Here is some further information:
Beginners level
- will be offered in a choice of four languages - French, German, Spanish and Mandarin plus study of primary pedagogy with direct application in the classroom.
- takes students to the end of the equivalent to level A1 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages.
- allows students to gain 15 university credits for the language study.
- also gives students the option to gain GTCS recognition for the pedagogy study; all students will receive a certificate on successful completion from SCILT.
- study hours will be approximately five hours per week, including time spent on the direct application of the new skills in the classroom.
Post-beginners level
- teachers who have started studying one language in the beginners level of the course would need to continue studying the same language at post-beginners level.
- teachers who already have some basic knowledge in one of the four languages can directly enrol on the post-beginners level course to further develop their skills in that language and learn about primary languages pedagogy (without having to have studied beginners level).
- will follow the same format as the beginners level course and will be offered in the same four languages (French, German, Mandarin and Spanish).
- will teach primary languages pedagogy in more depth and cover:
- the skills of writing and reading,
- IDL with a special focus on outdoor learning as well as links with other key subject areas through CLIL,
- learning and teaching of languages in multilingual contexts/communities.
- will have the same:
- number of study hours,
- assessment structure,
- accreditation with 15 university credits,
- optional GTCS recognition for the pedagogy strand, as above ;
- in their language study, students will reach the equivalent of the end of level A2 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages (end of post-beginner level).
- after completing both courses, students would then be in a good position to go on to study one of the standard language courses at the OU should they want to improve their knowledge of the language even further.
Course codes are as follows:
|
Beginners level
|
LXT192 French
|
LXT193 German
|
LXT197 Mandarin
|
LXT194 Spanish
|
|
Post-beginners level
|
LXT191 (language choice will come as a second step once students have registered)
|
Posted in:
Primary,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Qualifications,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news
7 November 2018 (SCHOLAR)
SCHOLAR online tutor sessions for Modern Languages start again on Monday 12 November 2018. At 6pm it will be Higher, and the session will be on translation. It will be accompanied by worksheets sent out in advance to teachers for pupils to help prepare for the interactive parts of the session. Languages addressed are French, German and Spanish at both levels. Access is by: http://heriot-watt.adobeconnect.com/scholartutorsessions/, and you do not need a SCHOLAR password to attend, just log in as a guest.
The new ‘Directed Writing’ for Higher will form a session on 26 November, again at 6pm.
Advanced Higher translation and the overall purpose question will form a session on 3 December.
Read more...
6 November 2018 (The Herald)
The number of students from Scotland learning a modern language at university has fallen by more than 500 in the past five years.
New figures show 3,400 students chose languages at a Scottish university in 2016/17 compared to nearly 4,000 in 2012/13.
The decline, which shows numbers are falling for German, French, Russian and Spanish, has sparked fears Scotland will become increasingly isolated in the world, particularly following Brexit.
This summer, opposition politicians called on the Scottish Government to launch an inquiry into the decline in the number of pupils studying modern languages at school.
The drop has been blamed partly on curriculum reforms which mean pupils experience a broader education in the first three years of secondary.
That means exam subjects are chosen a year later than previously with a shorter time to prepare - resulting in some subjects getting squeezed out.
Professor Vicente Perez de Leon, Head of the School of Modern Languages at Glasgow University, said the school squeeze was hitting university recruitment.
And he argued language learning at school should be protected and resourced to ensure numbers increase.
“Languages are something that can open possibilities for employment abroad or having better jobs here,” he said.
“They can open minds and allow students to make connections with new people, new cultures and new literature. It should be a priority within the curriculum.”
Dr Dan Tierney, an independent languages expert, said the decline was also fuelled by the closure of some university departments.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
Scotland,
1+2,
Language Learning - Benefits,
Language Learning - Decline,
Language Teaching,
Brexit
5 November 2018 (SCILT)
SCILT has published Language Trends Scotland 2012-2018.
Finding include:
- Entries at Higher in Modern Languages have recently experienced a drop in entries but are still above 2012 levels. Relative to the S5-S6 cohort, however, there has been an increase.
- Entries at Advanced Higher in Modern Languages are on an upward trend overall, with a slight decline in 2018. Relative to the S6 cohort, uptake has also increased.
- Entries at Advanced Higher in the lesser studied languages (Gaelic Learners, Italian and Mandarin) have been variable.
- Entries below Higher in Modern Languages dropped significantly after 2012, the year which marked the official end of the 'Languages for All policy. Relative to the S4-S6 cohort, languages have higher percentage uptake than two of the three sciences (Biology, Physics), with only Chemistry showing a percentage increase.
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5 November 2018 (SCAT)
Cinemaattic’s Catalan Film Festival returns to Scotland bigger than ever with ten days celebrating Catalan culture.
The festival runs from 2-5 November in Glasgow and 13-18 November in Edinburgh. Scotland Catalan Film Festival is back with a new name – SCAT – and an extended programme of films where music, poetry and performance will also be part of this year’s edition.
Visit the website for full details.
Read more...
1 November 2018 (An Comunn Gaidhealach)
The organisers of the Royal National Mòd have published their latest newsletter which is available to view online.
Read more...
La Jolie Ronde free trials
29 October 2018 (La Jolie Ronde)
FREE TRIALS available of La Jolie Ronde's two award winning French and Spanish resources and classes.
La Jolie Ronde Languages For Children is a leading early language learning organisation offering a proven method of teaching young children French and Spanish. La Jolie Ronde’s award winning programmes are unique, modern and of the highest quality. FREE TRIALS on their resources are available as follows:
P1-P3 - Little Languages Resource - FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE
Little Languages is a unique resource for introducing languages to P1-P3. It provides the perfect solution for introducing some of the different languages and cultures from around the world. To support the non-specialist and as a guide to aid the expert language teacher, Little Languages enables you to start teaching straightaway!
Activities demonstrated in French and Spanish:
- Additional vocabulary & songs in Italian, Chinese, Hindi and African Shona
- Includes fun, play-based activities including IWB material
- Real life DVD clips featuring children from around the world
Product contains detailed lesson plans in a sturdy ring binder & software featuring:
- Lesson plans
- Resources
- IWB activities and games
- Colourful classroom wall frieze (5 x 2m lengths)
- DVD clips
- Also includes French and Spanish traditional and original songs plus songs from other languages
P4-P7 - French and Spanish Resource - FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE
La Jolie Ronde’s award winning resource contains everything you need to help plan and implement your policy for teaching a language in one go. The resource is a flexible four-year programme providing support to teachers with no previous experience of teaching languages and a guide for the more experienced, who can modify to suit. One of the biggest benefits of the resource is that everything is already pre-prepared and planned, so you can literally start teaching straightaway!
- Perfect for the non-specialist or an aid for the more experienced languages teacher
- Split into two schemes – for years P4-P5 and P6-P7
- Plenty of material to fill two years and four years
- Pre-prepared lessons, divided into short sessions for flexibility
- Comprehensive and detailed lesson notes
FREE French or Spanish Class
Years of development, dedication and experience in the sector of early language learning, La Jolie Ronde has become the market leader, committed to offering the best possible start to young learners. Through their loyal network of over 560 tutors, who teach in over 1,660 centres, they currently teach in the region of 20,500 children. To find your nearest French or Spanish class and book your FREE TASTER CLASS, visit La Jolie Ronde website.
For your FREE RESOURCE OR CLASS TRIALS simply email your request to La Jolie Ronde quoting SCILT - email schools@lajolieronde.co.uk
25 October 2018 (SEET)
SEET is delighted to announce that registration is now open for Euroquiz 2018-19!
Euroquiz is an annual project open to all P6 pupils across Scotland, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world. Subjects covered include languages, history, geography, culture and European affairs. Heats take place in every local authority from January to March, with the winning teams from all areas going forward to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in May.
See the attached flyer to find out more about how your school can get involved and visit the website to watch the Euroquiz Highlights Film for a taste of the Euroquiz journey, including interviews with previous participants and teachers.
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25 October 2018 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is now enrolling for Term B courses running from 12 November 2018 to 26 January 2019. This includes a new class for complete beginners on Monday evenings.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol.
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25 October 2018 (Social Enterprise Academy/SCEL)
There are still a few spaces left on the bespoke leadership programme endorsed by SCEL, designed to meet the needs of emerging leaders in Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic Learner Education.
We will explore specific leadership issues faced by the sector, such as implementing CfE, supporting ASN pupils and managing transitions, all within the context of contemporary resource challenges.
You will gain an invaluable insight into your own leadership style and qualities, and a range of tools and techniques to use in your future career.
The programme is for teachers and educational professionals who would like to gain confidence in their ability to be effective, progressive, and self-aware leaders, potentially progressing their careers into head teacher or principal roles.
It will be delivered in Gaelic medium with learning materials provided in both Gaelic and English.
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25 October 2018 (Press and Journal)
Gaelic could add more than £82 million per year to tourism, Visit Scotland revealed yesterday.
Cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs, Fiona Hyslop officially launched The Gaelic Tourism Strategy for Scotland 2018-2023 at The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh alongside Lord Thurso, chairman of VisitScotland and Shona Niclllinnein, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The five-year plan is aimed at boosting the use of Gaelic in the tourism industry and using the language as a “unique selling point” to market to visitors.
The strategy will focus on using the language in everyday use with tourists, and developing the major benefits to businesses that come from the culture and arts associated with Gaeldom.
It will see the introduction of Gaelic ambassadors in every area of Scotland, and “Gaelic spoken here” badges for businesses, in a bid to promote the language to visitors.
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24 October 2018 (Daily Record)
The finalists have been announced for this year’s Daily Record and Bòrd na Gàidhlig Scottish Gaelic Awards.
The awards pay tribute to all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language.
And the winners will be revealed on Wednesday, November 14, in Glasgow.
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24 October 2018 (The Scotsman)
A new study suggests more pupils could learn Chinese and Urdu as part of a shake up in learning foreign languages.
The independent think tank, Reform Scotland, has published a report calling for a fresh approach to be taken towards the education of languages in Scottish schools.
The report indicates a practical model of learning should be introduced to help adapt to changing demand.
The number of Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) entries in “traditionally taught” languages has decreased over the last 20 years, with entries for higher grade French down by 18.2% and entries for German at the same level reduced by 58.4%.
In contrast, entries for higher Spanish exams increased by 219.8% increased over the same period, while Chinese entries have increased by 17.8% in the past two years.
Reform Scotland argue this highlights a changing global economy, with Asia seen as a growing economic market.
The report also calls for an end to distinctions between “community” and “modern” languages so that learning reflects the increasing number of communities in Scotland speaking languages such as Polish, Arabic and Urdu.
Reform Scotland Director Chris Deerin said: “If we want to see genuine growth in language skills in Scotland, rather than just paying lip service to the idea, we need to rethink our approach.
“There is a danger the languages currently on offer within the education system are not keeping up with Scottish or global society.
“We need to think much more freely - as many other countries do - about how best to equip ourselves to thrive in the modern global economy. Brexit, the shift of power from West to East, and Scotland’s pressing need to secure greater economic growth, all demand fresh ideas.”
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16 October 2018 (Press and Journal)
A youth committee is working with An Comunn Gàidhealach to shape the Mods of the future.
The group was set up this year giving a nod to The National Year of the Young Person – and so far has set its sights on modernising the way in which the historic organisation communicates with the public to secure its future.
The committee of three – Shannon MacLean, 21, Padruig Morrison, 22 and Katie MacInnes 18 – is supported by 25-year-old Alison Bruce who is also employed by An Comunn Gàidhealach.
Miss MacLean, from Mull, said: “Being on the committee has been very interesting. Our main goal is to get more young people to come to the mod and get them involved in local mods around the country.
“This is my third mod in Dunoon, and it is certainly the competitions that have helped me, as a non-native speaker, take the language seriously.
“My job is to make sure it survives for a long time yet.”
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Related Links
Top Gaelic learner blooms at the Mòd (The Scotsman, 17 October 2018)
13 October 2018 (BBC)
A 22-year-old singer from Skye has been named Gaelic Ambassador of the Year, as the Royal National Mod gets under way.
Eilidh Cormack, from Portree, said she was "absolutely delighted".
The Gaelic cultural festival began in Dunoon on Friday night, with a special celebration honouring Scotland's Year of Young People.
Over the next eight days there will be more than 200 competitions and events in Highland dancing, sport, literature, drama, Gaelic music and song.
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12 October 2018 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is a week-long celebration of books and reading that takes place every November. This year's event is taking place from Monday 19 – Sunday 25 November 2018.
There are a range of events, some with specific appeal to Gaelic and Scots readers. Visit the website to find out more on these and other ways you can get involved. Why not host a foreign language reading club or book sale?
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11 October 2018 (SEET)
SEET’s popular Our World film making project has now launched for the 2018-19 year! Our World uses film making and language learning as a means to help pupils explore the themes of LfS and the Sustainable Development Goals. It’s totally free, and all you have to do is sign up.
The project has been running for the past 6 years, has a proven track record of encouraging languages uptake at higher secondary levels, and is open to any team of four from S3 - S6 (no previous film making knowledge is required). All teams have to do to enter is come up with a creative idea for a film, based on one of this year's themes. Then, with SEET’s help teams put that idea into storyboard form and send it to us with an audio or video clip explaining it. The deadline for storyboard submissions is 5th December 2018.
Themes:
As part of a team of four, come up with a creative idea for a short film about being a citizen of the world. Your team should consider one of the following themes to get you started:
- Sustainable Tourism (going on holiday, exploring other countries and cultures and making a positive impact on the environment)
- Migration and welcome (refugees, moving abroad, how people are treated)
- Trade (how businesses work in different countries, importing and exporting)
All films must include the use of at least one language other than English - but the more the merrier!
After all the entries are submitted, 18 teams from across Scotland will be invited to one of three regional film making workshop days (roughly 6 teams per workshop) where they will get the opportunity to make their film a reality. Pupils are given technology and professional film-making training on the day to help them, so don't worry if they don't have experience - all they need are their ideas.
Throughout the project SEET staff are happy to make trips to schools to work with classes and answer any questions you might have.
If you'd like to register or sign up a team visit the website, where you can also hear previous participants talk about their experience of the project, OR contact Madeleine McGirk at SEET (madeleine@seet.org.uk).
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11 October 2018 (British Council)
Every day at British Council Scotland we hear about how international learning benefits Scottish schools, teachers and pupils. Making this happen is a core part of our work, and we are keen to spread the message far and wide.
Last month, we visited John Paul II Primary School in Castlemilk, where a partnership with a school in Spain has had a powerful effect on pupils. We also heard from our partners at Glasgow City Council, which is a leading example of good practice when it comes to local authorities creating international and intercultural opportunities for their schools.
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10 October 2018 (The Scotsman)
The city council will press ahead with proposals to open new primary and secondary Gaelic schools despite a “problematic” shortage of teachers who speak the language.
The authority hopes to open a new primary school in 2023 where pupils are taught through the medium of Gaelic - while a secondary school could follow by 2024. A host of short-term improvements will also be taken forward.
The council is facing a growing demand for Gaelic education but council officers admit that at the Bun-Sgoil Taobh na Pairce primary school, “as the school has grown, the recruitment of sufficient Gaelic-speaking teachers has proven to be problematic.”
Conservative education spokesman, Cllr Callum Laidlaw, said: “Clearly, there’s a demand for it in Edinburgh for primary expansion. There’s a problem with the citywide catchment area for the current primary school with transport, which is provided by the council. If we move forward with any expansion of primary GME, I would like to see that geographic problem tackled by building it in the south west of the city.
“As it stands, the plan demonstrates ambition rather than reality. There’s a significant recruitment challenge the council has to address first before it moves forward. We need to focus on delivering the six priority high schools in the Wave 4 funding before we commit to the GME secondary school.”
The primary school in Bonnington now has 20 Gaelic-speaking teachers. At James Gillespie’s High School, the city’s Gaelic Medium Education (GME) secondary school, a recruitment drive has helped fill vacancies – but fewer lessons than expected have been taught in Gaelic.
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4 October 2018 (Inverness Courier)
A survey has shown that there is significant public support for a new Gaelic cultural centre in Inverness.
The research, which was carried out by the Alba Heritage Trust with the aim of establishing the level of interest in a project celebrating Gaelic heritage, was met with “overwhelming” backing from members of the public.
Alba Heritage Trust director Alastair Forbes says the reaction has from businesses and individuals across the board has been significant.
“We are delighted to have had so many responses to the survey,” he said.
“The reaction from the public and private sectors and from members of the community for the establishment of a Gaelic cultural centre has been extremely positive which has given us great confidence in moving forward with the project.”
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3 October 2018 (Deasbad)
The announcement of the preliminary rounds of the National Gaelic Schools Debate competition has been made and the 2018 competition looks set to be another excellent year! The first two rounds will be held at the Town Hall in Stornoway, on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th of November 2018. Last year, for the first time ever the first rounds from Stornoway were available online, through e-Sgoil’s You Tube channel and the Deasbad Committee will be making sure that this year’s first round will also be live streamed to a potentially global audience!
Sixteen teams from fourteen schools are due to compete in the 2018 competition. Following on from the positive feedback received from the new competition format, all the schools will participate in debates over the two days, with the four teams with the highest points, across the two days, progressing to the final stages which will be held in Edinburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday the 27th and 28th of November 2018. The Committee welcome Agnes Rennie and Boyd Robertson who will join Iain Stephen Morrison as judges.
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3 October 2018 (Highland Council)
The 10th annual conference for Gaelic education practitioners, which took place in Aviemore last week, has been hailed a great success.
Around 200 delegates from all over the country attended the conference, held in the MacDonald Aviemore Conference Centre last Wednesday and Thursday (September 26 and 27), which was organised by Gaelic educational resources organisation Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig, with support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Scottish Government.
Through a programme of talks and workshops, the conference provides delegates with an overview of current best practice and a look at new initiatives for teaching and learning. It caters for staff from the Early Years sector as well as primary and secondary schools.
This year, the conference had a focus that was very much on the whole learner journey through the Gaelic Medium Education system, right from the beginning with Cròileagan and play groups through to developing the young workforce.
A powerful new film which has been created to promote Gaelic Medium Education was shown for the first time at the conference. The film has been made by Fàs Foghlaim – Highland Council’s social media vehicle for promoting Gaelic education – and will be made available to the public later in the year but delegates got a welcome preview of it.
Entitled ‘Gaelic Medium Education – A New Perspective’, the film lasts eight minutes and features testimonies from GME parents and teachers as well as perspectives from leading bilingualism academic Professor Antonella Sorace, of the University of Edinburgh, and Tidelines singer and songwriter Robert Robertson, who came through GME himself.
With 90 per cent of connections in the brain being formed by the age of three, the role of Cròileagan and other Gaelic-speaking pre-school groups has long been recognised for their importance in getting learners started on their journey to bilingualism.
As such, the Early Years sector is seen as an important part of the Alltan conference and representatives from that sector said they gained a lot from this year’s event.
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3 October 2018 (Glasgow Live)
A new language hub which will help empower older adults living with dementia in Glasgow has opened on the south side of the city.
Lingo Flamingo, based on Deanston Drive in the Shawlands area, will be offering a selection of immersive foreign language courses for all ages.
And all profits from the classes will be used to fund dementia-friendly classes in care homes across Glasgow and beyond.
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1 October 2018 (Highland Council)
Iomain Cholmcille – the Gaelic Shinty Project – has worked in partnership with The Highland Council’s Gaelic Team to organise a six aside national Shinty event for P4 to P7 Gaelic Medium pupils from schools across Scotland.
In August Iomain Cholmchille announced funding of £8000, from Bord na Gàidhlig in order to help develop the use of Gaelic in youth Shinty. The project was launched at Bun- Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh and pupils were presented with new Gaelic strips for the school Shinty team. The funding for community projects aims to build on Iomain Cholmcille’s successful work, in partnership with the Highland Council’s Gaelic Team running Cupa Iomain na h-Òige.
Cupa Iomain na h-Òige – Youth Shinty Cup - is in its third year and although based in the Highlands, the competition, which is held entirely through the medium of Gaelic, is open to schools from across Scotland. This year the competition took place at the Bught Park in Inverness which is a national stadium and 14 teams have entered with approximately 100 pupils participating in the event.
Schools from across Scotland entered which include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dingwall, this is the first time that the smaller schools in Skye have taken part.
Iomain Cholmcille is a project dedicated to encouraging the use of Gaelic in the Shinty world and regularly organises international exchanges with Irish-speaking hurling teams for both men and women.
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29 September 2018 (Daily Record)
Teen classic Diary of a Wimpy Kid is to get a braw makeover - being translated into Scots for the first time.
Jeff Kinney’s best-selling book series has been given a Caledonian re-vamp by Itchy Coo, the Scots language imprint for children at Black & White Publishing,
The first book in the series is “Diary o’ a Wimpy Wean”, re-worked by Scots writer Thomas Clark.
In the translation, twelve-year-old hero, Greg Hefley, tells the reader all about his life in modern Scots patter.
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29 September 2018 (The Scotsman)
Scotland’s independent schools maintain a track record of academic excellence, and this has continued in 2018 with another set of outstanding exam results, which is only strengthened by individual and collective success in sports, art, music and other community endeavours.
With upwards of 30,000 pupils across Scotland, these schools, represented by The Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS), strive to deliver the best level of service to their pupils and parents.
Independent schools aim to prepare their pupils for further and higher education, their chosen career and their place as global citizens. As an education sector that can design and implement a bespoke school curriculum, we are seeing modern languages continue as a popular and desired subject of choice within schools.
Nelson Mandela said: ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart.” This is a powerful reminder that we can’t just rely on English when wanting to build relationships and trust with people from other countries.
From this year’s recent exam results, we can see that languages are topping the league tables with the highest pass rates within independent schools. A total of 68 per cent of pupils who studied foreign languages achieved a Higher grade A.
The data, collected from SCIS’s 74 member schools, showed that 72 per cent of students achieved a Higher grade A in Mandarin, while 72 per cent of those studying German, 69 per cent of those studying French and 63 per cent studying Spanish also achieved an A.
This demonstrates that independent schools in Scotland are supporting foreign languages as vital skills that children and young people will undoubtedly require in the future. Languages now, as a subject choice, are being held in the same regard as STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in independent school curriculums and elsewhere.
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28 September 2018 (Atlas Obscura)
Over the past few decades, as efforts to save endangered languages have become governmental policy in the Netherlands (Frisian), Slovakia (Rusyn) and New Zealand (Maori), among many others, Scotland is in an unusual situation. A language known as Scottish Gaelic has become the figurehead for minority languages in Scotland. This is sensible; it is a very old and very distinctive language (it has three distinct rsounds!), and in 2011 the national census determined that fewer than 60,000 people speak it, making it a worthy target for preservation.
But there is another minority language in Scotland, one that is commonly dismissed. It’s called Scots, and it’s sometimes referred to as a joke, a weirdly spelled and -accented local variety of English.
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19 September 2018 (SCHOLAR)
The schedule of online tutor sessions for Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Languages 2018-19 is now available online.
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19 September 2018 (Scottish Parliament)
The Scottish Parliament is looking for feedback on its British Sign Language plan. Contributions invited by 28 September 2018.
Visit the website for more information and to submit your feedback.
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19 September 2018 (Daily Mail)
A new five-year plan for promoting Gaelic has been unveiled by the Scottish Parliament.
The proposals set out how the language will be supported between 2018 and 2022 within Holyrood.
They include providing awareness training to all front-of-house staff, showing it as much respect as English as well as creating a space where the Gaelic business community can raise issues with representatives.
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19 September 2018 (GLPT)
The purpose of the Gaelic Language Promotion Trust is to support and promote the teaching, learning and use of the Gaelic language in Scotland. The Gaelic Language Promotion Trust offers assistance to full-time and part-time students taking Scottish Gaelic language courses or courses through Scottish Gaelic.
Currently, the main activity of the Trust is the provision of grants to students of Gaelic at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, the Trust recognises the importance of Gaelic pre-school provision, and following a generous legacy from Urras Gnìomhachas nan Gàidheal, Career Development Funding is now available for Gaelic students studying for an HNC in Childhood Practice, for Gaelic pre-school workers and GLPS primary teachers wishing to improve their Gaelic language skills. Priority is given to individuals currently employed in Gaelic pre-school establishments who are completing their HNC Childhood Practice modules on a part-time basis and primary teachers delivering Gaelic L2.
The Trust acknowledges the contribution that primary schools across Scotland are making to the promotion of the Gaelic language through the 1+2 language model and welcomes applications from GLPS schools for designated funding for Gaelic books. The Trust also provides grants in respect of Gaelic publishing, including digital and traditional printed books, and junior drama projects.
The Cameron Fund, a separate funding stream from the general fund, has been created to support community-based media projects. To this end, the Trust welcomes applications from individuals / communities / organisations for projects involving new media. This might include short films and vlogs which the GLPT would showcase on their website.
The next deadline for grant applications is 19 October 2018.
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18 September 2018 (Edinburgh Reporter)
The 5th Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival takes place from 4-20 October 2018.
Festival Opens With First Ever Basque Film Screened At Edinburgh Filmhouse.
The 2018 Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival presents a total of 15 feature films and 7 short films in Spanish from 4-20 October in Edinburgh (Filmhouse), Stirling (MacRobert Arts Centre) and Glasgow (Film Theatre).
[..] Many of the films are suitable for all ages and in addition there will be a special screening of Nur And The Dragon Temple for schools at 10am on Wednesday 3rd October. There will also be workshops which will explore Spanish language, cinema and youth taking place in schools throughout Scotland.
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17 September 2018 (The Herald)
In a world dominated by media the importance of broadcasting cannot be overemphasised in efforts to revive lesser used languages and so the 10th anniversary of the establishment of BBC Alba – launched on September 19, 2008 – is cause for celebration for all committed to the survival and advancement of the Gaelic language. That it was set up under the aegis of the BBC was a crucial achievement especially in the context of that year’s global financial crisis and the inevitable questions around the licence fee, charter renewal and the like. Therefore, to have our Scottish Gaelic channel on the first screen of the BBC iPlayer – located between the Parliament channel and S4C (the Welsh language channel) – remains a source of pleasure to language activists.
Indeed the creation of a dedicated Gaelic channel is now acknowledged as one of the key cultural developments of the new millennium in Scotland (cf National Theatre of Scotland, Dundee V & A) and crucially complements Gaelic-medium education; and arguably, in terms of impact, more significant than the Gaelic Language Act (2005).
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14 September 2018 (SCILT)
Today we're launching the 2018-19 Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition in Scotland.
All students who are learning a language at school, college or university, or who speak a native language at home, can get involved in celebrating their linguistic and cultural diversity through creative poetry writing as there are options to enter in either the Mother Tongue or Other Tongue category. All entries must be the students' own, original work.
For more information about this year's competition and previous events, visit our MTOT website and register to take part! The closing date for registrations is 26 October 2018.
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SCILT news
13 September 2018 (Scottish Parliament)
Read the First Minister's response when asked at the Meeting of the Parliament 13 September 2018 what action the Scottish Government will take to improve the implementation of the one-plus-two modern languages policy in broad general education.
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13 September 2018 (SISF)
The Scottish International Storytelling Festival (SISF) takes place 19-31 October. Across Scotland, schools and communities are encouraged to take part in an initiative that celebrates the art of storytelling under the theme Growing Stories. The Local Campaign, running from Monday 17 September – Friday 30 November, aims to highlight how stories help communities connect, grow together and play a vital part in preserving heritage and cultures for new generations.
To celebrate, audiences are invited to book a storyteller for a local event, strike-up new community activity and engagement with storytelling.
Visit the Scottish International Storytelling Festival website for more information and suggested ways to take part.
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13 September 2018 (Education Scotland)
A new theatre play, The Arrival, will be touring Scotland from 26 September to 26 October 2018.
The story is about a man that travels to a new land in search of a future for his family.
The play and classroom activities are targeted at S1-S2 pupils. The aim is to engage the students in the world of The Arrival throughout the day, setting up playful interventions, happenings and surprises that create the sense of an event, building towards a performance of the play after lunch.
The key fact is that the play is accessible to deaf, hearing and people who have English as a second/other language.
See the trailer and visit the website for more information and to book.
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12 September 2018 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Do you have young linguists with a passion for writing? Then here's a great opportunity for budding authors!
Worldwide Napier is a free magazine showcasing the work of language students at Edinburgh Napier University.
Senior pupils at secondary school are invited to submit contributions for the second edition of the magazine in French, German and Spanish by 31 October 2018.
You can read the first issue online and see the attached introductory letter and poster for more information.
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12 September 2018 (Oban Times)
Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd) will return to Dunoon next month (Friday 12 October – Saturday 20 October) for the eighth time – with a very special focus on Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018.
The nine-day spectacular of Gaelic music, arts and sport will take place in Dunoon for the first time since 2012, with a host of initiatives aimed at encouraging more young people to get involved already under way.
Throughout the year, Dunoon schools have welcomed tutors from FèisSgoil to help them prepare for Mòd competitions, as part of An Comunn Gàidhealach’s Mòd Academy initiative, which aims to help youngsters learn and develop their musical and Gaelic skills.
Local drama workshops for Dunoon’s youngsters were hosted in recent months in a bid to inspire more children to get involved with Gaelic drama, with a group set to perform at this year’s festival; and organisers have been working closely with the Camanachd Association to arrange a junior shinty Mòd Cup match before the annual senior match.
This year also saw the establishment of the first ever Young Person’s Committee, supported by the Year of Young People 2018 Event Fund, which has allowed young Gaels the opportunity to get involved in the Mòd planning process, and to have their say on what they would like to see.
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10 September 2018 (Education Scotland)
e-Sgoil is an interactive, real-time teaching facility which uses Glow, Office 365 and Vscene to support the teaching of Gaelic and through Gaelic in any school in Scotland. It supports the curriculum for 1+2, Gaelic Learner and Gaelic Medium Education. A short promotional video is available on the Education Scotland learning blog.
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Maths Week Scotland - Mathématiques sans frontières / Maths wi nae borders
7 September 2018 (North Lanarkshire Council)
As part of Maths Week Scotland, pupils of all ages can participate in the 'Maths wi nae borders' competition, which requires students to respond to one of the questions in either Gaelic or Scots.
The new competition is inspired by 'Mathématiques sans frontières'. North Lanarkshire Council, the University of the West of Scotland and Heriot Watt University work together to encourage young language learners to apply their knowledge in a Maths setting.
This stimulating and light-hearted competition for secondary schools combines Maths and Modern Languages and aims to motivate pupils in both their Maths and Language Learning. S4 classes attempt 10 questions and S5 classes 13 questions. Ideally a whole class should tackle groups of questions in order to complete the test within the 60 minutes allowed.
The first question require an explanation in a foreign language. It is hoped that this competition will encourage cross-curricular working and teamwork.
This year 42 teams from 27 schools took part in 'Mathématiques sans Frontières', the winning team in S4 was Girvan Academy and the S5 winners and overall winning school was Grange Academy.
Look out for the e-mail invitation inviting you to take part in January 2019.
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7 September 2018 (SCILT)
Would you like to invite 10 of your S3-S6 pupils to discover the benefits of language skills in the world of work and engage with a variety of dynamic employers to encourage learners to continue with their language studies into the senior phase of their education, and beyond school? Look no further….
For the fifth year in succession, SCILT, in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce and the University Council of Modern Languages Scotland will be hosting a series of five Business Brunch events in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness over the course of December this year, and January 2019. Registration will open at 9am on Friday 14th September.
Find out more on our Business Brunches webpage.
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CLPL for Beyond the Panda
5 September 2018 (RZSS)
Would you like to find out more about 'Beyond the Panda' and what it offers to assist Mandarin language learning? As the first science specialist Confucius Classroom in the world, we would like to invite you to a FREE session for teachers at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo on Tuesday 6 November 2018.
Find out answers to these questions and more:
- What is a 'panda box'?
- How can our programme mix science with language?
- What else does the programme offer?
- What does a science specialist Confucius Classroom mean?
Two CLPL sessions available 10.30-12.30 and 3.00-5.00 on Tuesday 6 November. Booking essential as limited to 20 teachers per session. Open to Primary and Secondary teachers.
Meet Sandie Robb, the RZSS language specialist along with Hù Wáng, our Confucius Classroom teacher.
Contact srobb@rzss.org.uk or 07963 070654 to book a place.
4 September 2018 (Holyrood)
A new Gaelic primary - the fifth school dedicated to the language in Scotland – has been officially opened in Skye.
Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh in Portree is the third Gaelic medium school in the Highland Council area.
It opened to its 133 primary and 47 nursery pupils in April this year, with Education Secretary John Swinney attending a special opening ceremony on Monday.
He said: “It is a pleasure to be involved in supporting Highland Council to realise their vision for the Gaelic language.
“We are seeing growing demand from parents for access to Gaelic medium education across the country which clearly demonstrates that the Scottish Government’s commitments to supporting the language are a having a positive result.
“I commend Highland Council for their actions and look forward to working with them on future projects.”
Gaelic medium education is available in 14 out of 32 Scottish local authorities to all children and young people.
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3 September 2018 (SCHOLAR)
SCHOLAR has updated the Higher French, German and Spanish pages to reflect the changes to Higher which are now in place. SCHOLAR on-line tutor, Douglas Angus, will be hosting a webinar on Monday 17 September at 6pm for an hour to look at the changes, and to talk about the implications for teaching and learning of the new format for Higher Modern Languages. To take part in this event please log in as guest. The webinar will be broadcast live and recorded so it can be downloaded if you miss it.
There will be sessions for pupils at Higher and Advanced Higher level this year again, starting in November. For Higher, amongst the sessions will be on on the Assignment-Writing and for Advanced Higher on on the Portfolio and Specialist Study. Meanwhile, last year’s sessions are still available on the SCHOLAR website, but are open to all and do not require a password.
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31 August 2018 (TESS)
The number of modern language assistants in Scotland has taken another tumble this year, Tes Scotland can reveal.
New figures also show that employing MLAs – native speakers who typically spend a year working in Scottish classrooms – is increasingly the preserve of independent schools, with nearly half based in that sector, including all of Edinburgh’s contingent of 18.
Data from the British Council, which arranges for MLAs to work in Scotland, reveals that there are only 61 MLAs, 27 of whom are based in independent schools. This is the lowest figure since current records began in 2003: the next lowest was 72 in 2013-14 and the current number is less than a quarter of the 2005-06 high point of 278. The number of local authorities with MLAs is also falling, from 15 (out of 32) in 2017 to 13 in 2018.
From a recent high of 146 MLAs in Scotland in 2016-17, numbers fell sharply to 80 in 2017-18 – including 23 based in independent schools – with some fearing that this was related to the 2016 vote to leave the EU (“Brexit blamed as language assistant numbers dive”, Tes Scotland, 17 November 2017).
The British Council, however, has played down any suggestion that Brexit has had an impact. Liz Neil, acting head of education for British Council Scotland, says: “The reduction in the number of modern language assistants in Scotland is disappointing and we are working with stakeholders to explore options for addressing the issue – for example, by getting more placements in primary schools where the impact on primary learners can be significant.”
(Note - subscription required to read full article).
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31 August 2018 (Education Scotland)
The latest edition of Education Scotland's newsletter for Gaelic education is now available online.
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30 August 2018 (Yakety Yak)
Looking to brush up your conversational language skills? Yakety Yak host a variety of language cafés in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Next sessions begin 3 September 2018. Visit their website for details.
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30 August 2018 (SecEd)
Another fall in the number of pupils taking French and German exams does not reflect an overall decline in the health of languages in Scottish classrooms, according to a leading linguist.
French National 5 entries fell by about 10 per cent on last year, while at Higher the level was 17.5 per cent below 2016. German Higher entries were down 20 per cent on two years ago.
Spanish and Mandarin have made modest rises overall.
However, Fhiona Mackay, director of SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, said it was misleading to focus on this criterion alone because primary schools were “normalising” languages from P1 in a way that is widening exposure hugely.
“The French figures were disappointing, no doubt about it. But to say languages are disappearing from our schools is very far off the mark and really unfair on our teachers.
“Of course I would like to see more youngsters choosing languages because I fundamentally believe that is a good thing. But it needs to be voluntary – so we need to evaluate the barriers and do more to remove them.”
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30 August 2018 (TES)
A leading light in Gaelic-medium education is calling for the Scottish government to investigate the impact of the narrowing of the curriculum in senior secondary.
He says teenagers are being “lost to the language” and that the teacher supply pipeline is “in danger of drying up” as a result.
(Note - subscription required to read full article).
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Related Links
Call for the right to be taught in Gaelic (TES, 31 August 2018) Subscription required to read full article.
Where next for Gaelic as it gains ground in education? (TES, 31 August 2018) Subscription required to read full article.
29 August 2018 (Institut français)
Ready for la rentrée? The Institut français will be commencing classes for adults and children on 18 September 2018.
Open Days are available on 8 and 10 September where you can meet the teachers, have your level assessed and see the premises.
Visit the Institut français website for more information.
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28 August 2018 (Press and Journal)
Gaelic speakers, and those with an interest in the language, are being invited to showcase bespoke tours for visitors at sites including Dunstaffnage Castle near Oban, Arnol Blackhouse on the Isle of Lewis and Urquhart Castle, near Inverness, to promote the historic origins of the language and its place in Scotland’s rich history.
The Gaelic volunteer programme is part of the organisation’s five-year Gaelic Language Plan.
Alex Paterson, Chief Executive of Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Gaelic is a distinct and unique part of Scotland’s history and culture which attracts visitors from all over the world, contributing significantly to Scotland’s economy.
Read more...
Related Links
Historic sites to offer bespoke Gaelic tours (The Herald, 28 August 2018)
Talking up Gaelic at historic sites (Stornoway Gazette, 27 August 2018)
The Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF)
27 August 2018 (Consejería de Educación)
The fifth Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) will run from 4 -13 October 2018. Primary and secondary schools are invited to take part in its School Programme.
Also, to link with the Year of Young People, special workshops and screenings have been prepared that will explore Spanish language, cinema and youth.
More information and how to book places can be found on the attached invitation letters.
27 August 2018 (SCILT/UCMLS)
To make 1+2 a reality we need to act with one voice for languages! So do join us at the University of Dundee on Saturday, 15 September 2018 for a half-day conference where SCILT/UCMLS evaluate past actions and plan new ones.
We will finish with a networking lunch and wine to celebrate 25 years of UCMLS. For catering purposes, please sign up by 7 September via Eventbrite.
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27 August 2018 (SQA)
SQA is running three webinars in September covering updates to Higher Modern Languages:
-
Tuesday 4th September 5-6pm
-
Monday 10th September 5-6pm
-
Thursday 27th September 5-6pm
Content will be the same on all three dates. Register on the SQA booking system.
If colleagues are finding they cannot get a place on the webinar they can contact the SQA events team sqaevents@sqa.org.uk or 0345 213 5580 who would in turn contact colleagues if spaces on webinars become available.
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24 August 2018 (SCILT/SQA)
Revised Higher Specimen Question Papers for use in session 2018-19 onwards are now available on the main Higher Modern Languages webpage. Revised marking instructions for Directed Writing are currently only available in the Specimen Question papers.
Exemplars of Higher Directed Writing valid from session 2018/19 with associated commentary written in line with the revised marking instructions for Directed Writing are now available. There are currently 8 exemplars in French and Spanish with other languages available in due course.
Exemplars of Higher Assignment-writing valid from session 2018/19 with associated commentary written in line with the marking instructions for assignment-writing are now available. There are currently 6 exemplars in French, German and Spanish, with other languages available in due course.
All exemplars can be found on www.understandingstandards.org.uk
Exemplars of talking performances at Higher valid from session 2018/19 are now available. These include associated commentary written in line with the marking instructions for performance-talking. Exemplars of talking performances at National 5 are also available. Both can be found on the understanding standards area on the SQA secure website.
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SCILT CLPL
24 August 2018 (SCILT)
SCILT CLPL
Refreshed and raring to go? Us too! New school year = new SCILT CLPL menu. Featuring a variety of workshops for primary colleagues, for secondary colleagues and one workshop specifically aimed at bringing primary and secondary colleagues together. Our free professional learning is learner-focused, practice-led and evidence-informed. Booking now open! More information on our CLPL menu.
OU/SCILT Teaching Primary Languages programme
There is still time to register for the sector-leading Open University Scotland/SCILT Teaching Primary Languages programme. The course will be available to all primary practitioners but also secondary teachers who teach at primary level. We have produced an FAQ document with further detail about the course for your information.
This blended professional learning programme combines primary languages pedagogy and beginner's language learning. Choose from beginner's French, German, Mandarin or Spanish. The course fee is £240.00 per student. There are plans to offer teachers, who enrol on the course, a summer school experience which will offer immersion in the language to boost confidence and provide ample opportunities to learn more about the cultures in which the language they are studying is spoken. The summer school is not part of the course, it is optional and can be booked separately. More information on this will be published in due course.
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, don't delay! Speak to your local authority languages Development Officer first, then they can contact Sylvia Warnecke at the Open University (s.warnecke@open.ac.uk ) to confirm your enrolment on the programme.
20 August 2018 (Glasgow Science Centre)
Due to popular demand, Glasgow Science Centre is running a second Deaf Science Club starting on Saturday 8 September 2018.
The fortnightly science club has been created for Deaf, BSL users and those hard of hearing.
Budding scientists aged 6–14 years old can explore the Universe in the Planetarium, see a live science show full of spectacular demonstrations and get hands-on in workshops.
Read more...
20 August 2018 (The Conversation)
Pithy Scots brogue and throwaway insults punctuate Outlander, the phenomenally successful TV series that explores the final great Jacobite uprising of 1745 – the rebellion against King George II led by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Like 18th-century period dress or columns of troops, the Scots language is colourfully employed to lend authenticity to the drama.
The Scots spoken in Outlander may not be the language spoken today in Scotland, but rather a stage-Scots – essentially English dressed in tartan and cockade – yet it is still to be cheered. In fact, the presence of Scots in Outlander is a sign of how far an historically repressed language has come in just a few decades.
Full article written in Scots is also available.
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20 August 2018 (University of Dundee)
New intake: The online Graduate Diplomas in French, German or Spanish are accredited by the General Teaching Council Scotland GTCS for teachers wishing to teach another language. The course runs 2 years part-time and starts in October 2018, University of Dundee.
The courses are taught online and via Skype and suitable for learners with an entry level comparable to a Higher or equivalent. On completion graduates are expected to be at C1 level (CEFR) .
For further information please see the distance learning page of the University of Dundee website.
Please contact us at humanities@dundee.ac.uk if you wish to discuss any aspect of the courses, or your application.
Read more...
Runrig say farewell as Stòrlann launch rocking resource
20 August 2018 (Stòrlann)
Legendary Gaelic rock band Runrig said farewell at the end of a 45 year career with a two-night event which attracted 50,000 people to Stirling Castle. At the event were showcases for FilmG, the Gaelic Sort Film Project, and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College. FilmG’s theme this year is “In the Blink of an Eye.” Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig have also launched a newly developed Runrig resource for use in schools, alongside redeveloping their Fileanta website for Gaelic Medium Education in Secondary.
Access the resources via the following links:
Gaelic eLearning by eSgoil available to learners all across Scotland
20 August 2018 (eSgoil)
Comhairle nan Eilean’s eSgoil is offering National 5 and Higher Gaelic (Learners) via computer - these will be open to school pupils and adult learners anywhere. All you need is a computer with internet access.
Get in touch with Angus MacLennan or Catriona Currie at esgoil@gnes.net if you or learners within your school would be interested in this opportunity
This is the timetable for the classes.
- Monday 8:50-10:30
- Wednesday 14:00-14:45
- Thursday 13:55-15:35
- Friday 12:25-13:15
19 August 2018 (Education Scotland)
We are delighted to announce that the Leadership Award for educators of Gaelic Medium Education (GME) organised by Social Enterprise Academy, in collaboration with Education Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, is being offered in November and December 2018. This is a professional learning opportunity which is tailored to build leadership capacity in GME. It is delivered through the medium of Gaelic. The Leadership Award is endorsed by the Scottish College of Educational Leadership (SCEL), with accreditation by the Institute of Leadership and Management Award at SCQF level 9 and is funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Visit Education Scotland's learning blog for more information.
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17 August 2018 (Goethe-Institut)
We offer German courses from beginners to advanced levels. If you are a complete beginner or attended a course in the previous semester, you can enrol by phone or online. New students with some previous knowledge are invited to pop in during our Assessment Open Days.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information.
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16 August 2018 (Institut français)
From 3-27 August, the Institut français d'Ecosse will be hosting Fringe shows from exciting French, Scottish, and European artists based locally and on the continent.
Edinburgh-based Ludens Ensemble will perform Forbidden Stories, a devised multimedia performance, which questions cultural homogeneity, notions of otherness, and religious and nationalist tensions in the context of the partition of Greek and Turk communities on Cyprus.
(Mes)Dames, a contemporary dance piece choreographed by Constant Vigier, Scottish Ballet First Artist trained at the Opera national de Paris School of Dance, and set to the music of Christine and the Queens and Perfume Genius, offers a feminist gaze on the place of woman and femininity in modern society.
Berlin’s Duo Mimikry, composed of Nicolas Rocher and Elias Elastisch, bring Visual Short Stories, a series of non-verbal comedy vignettes, to the Institut français d’Ecosse. The French and German pair uses their expert miming skills and filmlike narrative techniques to deliver pitch black visual comedy.
Rounding out the programming in the Institut’s largest performance space, the Emilienne Moreau-Evrard room, is Out of Place, a show about a man who, despite his best efforts, never seems to find his place in life. Created and performed by Guérassim Dichliev, a gifted mime and physical comedian who trained at the Marcel Marceau International School of Miming, this one-clown show draws upon his experiences of displacement, both working in the theatre and living as a Bulgarian national in Paris for more than 25 years.
In SWAP/TROC, the Paisley-based Sita Pieraccini (much praised for Bird, performed as part of the 2016 Made in Scotland showcase) joins forces with the French clown Corentin Boisset to create a new work to be performed in the Institut’s dedicated children’s space, the Théâtre des Enfants. This poetic and subtle clown show will see Sita and Corentin desperately sashaying their way through the airport’s no man’s land in search of what one lost, and the other found.
Finally, for the youngest of audiences, the Crazy Comics Puppets will transform the Kieffer room into a puppet theatre, performing two different shows, The Carnival of the Animalsand A Cake for Cubitus. Rodrigue and Janvier, two French bande dessinée authors will bring to life some of the most iconic characters from French comics, alternating between English on odd days and French on even days. In addition to these shows aimed at children 5 and up, Rodrigue will also be delivering a series of free illustration masterclasses for participants of all ages and experience levels alongside Janvier and local Scottish writer Scott MacKay.
See the Institut français d'Ecosse website for more information.
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16 August 2018 (Institut français)
The Institut français d’Ecosse launched in 2016 le concours de la francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French. Entry deadline: January 2019.
Visit the Institut français d’Ecosse website for more information.
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Posted in:
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16 August 2018 (Institut français)
Paris, c'est parti!
This is the Autumn theme for the new Institut français d'Ecosse After School Club!
The programme, aimed at children from P1 to P7, is the fruit of a collaboration between French Drama company Theatre Sans Accents, the puppet theatre company Le Petit Monde and the institute.
So needless to say, fun and creativity will be at the fore front of all the activities!
For more information, please visit the Institut français d'Ecosse website and click on the 'Autumn Classes 2018' PDF for details.
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15 August 2018 (The National)
[..] Gaelic medium education succeeds in producing new generations of fluent Gaelic speakers because, as its name suggests, it makes use of the Gaelic language to teach other subjects. Kids don’t sit in classes where they are taught Gaelic in the same way that French or other foreign languages are taught in schools.
The difference in the fluency level that is achieved is stark. I was taught Gaelic the old-fashioned way, and am the proud possessor of a Gaelic Learner’s O Grade and a Gaelic Learner’s Higher. I was taught Gaelic in much the same way kids in modern Scottish schools are taught French or German, in a dedicated class, a couple of hours a week. The result is that although I can puzzle out a written text in the language and have a reasonably sized Gaelic vocabulary, I struggle to follow a Gaelic conversation and can’t express myself orally.
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Cross-Curricular Working,
Immersion,
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Methodologies,
Languages in the press
13 August 2018 (Alliance Française)
Enrolments are now being taken at the Alliance Française for la Rentrée. Click on the appropriate link below to find out more.
Visit the Alliance Française main website for information about their other available activities.
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13 August 2018 (4barsrest)
Carnoustie High School Band will head east this September to become the first youth brass band to tour China.
The remarkable opportunity came following a performance at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow in 2016 for the renowned Confucius Institute for Scotland.
Such was the success that it led to the school's head teacher Donald Currie being contacted to set the ball rolling on the ambitious initiative — and now, after almost two years of research and fundraising the band will fly out on 7th September for 15 unforgettable days of music and cultural learning.
Confucius Hubs are based in schools and seek to make links with local communities throughout Scotland — with Carnoustie serving the Angus area. It promotes the joint planning of cultural activities, sharing ideas and resources to stimulate the learning and teaching of Chinese language and culture.
The band will fly out from Glasgow, and after a short stop in Dubai will carry on to China where they will enjoy seven days in Tianjin and seven more in Beijing before their return.
While in Tianjin, the band members will be learning Mandarin, as well as performing three concerts. They will also visit Chinese families and schools, enabling the young musicians to experience Chinese culture first hand with a chance to learn Gongfu (Chinese martial arts), Tai Chi, and the ancient arts of calligraphy and mask painting.
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Posted in:
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Scotland,
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Study Abroad,
Languages in the press
10 August 2018 (The Herald)
Scotland is experiencing a “mass movement” of parents who want their children to be educated in Gaelic, creating increasing demand for more specialist schools to be built.
Allan MacDonald, chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the public body responsible for Gaelic, said there had been a “significant” boost in the number of families interested in Gaelic education in towns and cities.
He said the language was experiencing a “shift in emphasis” away from its heartlands and towards the Central Belt as populations continue to plummet in Scotland’s most rural areas.
He added: “The numbers are growing in the cities and the bigger towns all the time. And that contrasts quite significantly with the economic situation – not just in the Western Isles, but in other areas of the Highlands as well.”
t comes as a series of commitments aimed at boosting the strength of Gaelic were unveiled at a milestone meeting of public bodies chaired by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
This includes plans to publish the first ever Gaelic tourism strategy this autumn to help bring visitors into contact with the language.
Officials also want to increase the number of school subjects which can be taught in Gaelic.
Read more...
9 August 2018 (YouthLink Scotland)
YouthLink Scotland, its members and UK/German Connection have teamed up to offer an opportunity to share experiences and make new links between our two countries.
This is an exciting opportunity for workers and the young people (aged 14-21) they work with to get together with German counterparts here and in Germany.
The commitment is two residential weekends taking place in October and December - one in Scotland and one in Berlin.
Places are limited so get in touch soon. The deadline for expressions of interest is 30 August 2018.
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Posted in:
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FE,
HE,
German,
Scotland,
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Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Partnership Working,
Study Abroad,
News from language & education organisations
8 August 2018 (RCS Haven)
The Russian Centre in Scotland Haven's latest news bulletin is now available.
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7 August 2018 (SRF)
The latest news bulletin from the SRF is now available which includes upcoming events and activities in Scotland and beyond.
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7 August 2018 (Scottish Gaelic Awards)
The Daily Record, alongside headline sponsor Bòrd na Gàidhlig are proud to launch the 2018 campaign to celebrate Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage.
Visit the website for more information and submit your nomination by 25 September 2018.
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7 August 2018 (Relocate Magazine)
Scottish exam results are in - and more than 2/3rds of independent school pupils sitting exams achieved a Higher grade A in foreign languages, including Mandarin.
Although the number of entries for Highers and the proportion of students who received a pass mark has fallen slightly, data from the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) reveals that 68% of pupils studying foreign languages have achieved a Higher grade A.
The data, collected from SCIS’s 74 member schools, shows that 72% of students achieved a Higher grade A in Mandarin, while 72% of those studying German, 69% of those studying French and 63% studying Spanish also achieved an A.
Read more...
Shanghai teacher immersion course 2018
7 August 2018 (CISS)
A group of teachers from Scotland spent two weeks in July immersing themselves in new cultural experiences in Shanghai, China.
A typical day consisted of an early start, breakfast in the Shitang (canteen) followed by Mandarin classes. Everyone greatly enjoyed the lessons as beginners were well supported whilst the more experienced speakers were sufficiently challenged.
This was followed by a cultu
ral excursion or experience. For most this was the highlight of the trip as it allowed everyone to apply their learning and to experience authentic Chinese culture.
Highlights in Shanghai included a riverboat cruise by night, showcasing the breath-taking skyline, relaxing from the hustle and bustle experiencing Tai chi, and producing calligraphy and hearing stories behind the characters.
1 August 2018 (BBC)
The feeling of walking barefoot across a beach in summer and the sun-warmed sand chafing my toes takes me the length of this sentence to describe. My great-great-grandfather, Angus Morrison, would have used one word: driùchcainn.
That’s because, born and bred on the fringes of Western Europe, on Lewis, in the archipelago of the Outer Hebrides, his mother tongue was Scottish Gaelic.
It’s the ancient Celtic language heard by TV audiences tuning into the Highlands time-travelling saga Outlander.
In real life, working together crofting, fishing, weaving or cutting peat for fires, my ancestors spoke in Gaelic. It was spoken at home, sung at parties, used at church. But education in Angus’s day was strictly in English. As late as the 1970s, children were sometimes punished for speaking Gaelic at school.
Raised alongside Atlantic surf and storms, he became a sailor. Then, in the mid-nineteenth century, moved to Glasgow, and settled there working as a ship’s rigger. Among the principles he instilled in the family was the importance of education. But he did not pass on his cradle tongue.
My family story illustrates what linguistics experts call intergenerational breakdown. In 2018, along with about half of the world’s estimated 6,000 languages, Scottish Gaelic is considered at risk of dying out.
Read more...
30 July 2018 (The Times)
Head teachers may have to cut language courses in schools as a staffing shortage worsens.
With weeks to go until lectures begin, some modern language courses for teachers at leading universities are half empty. There is already a widespread recruitment crisis in the profession.
At the University of the West of Scotland only 11 of 20 places for one-year postgraduate teacher training courses in modern languages in secondary schools had been filled by mid-July.
Read more...
25 July 2018 (The Guardian)
French and Italian classes are improving self-confidence and wellbeing as well as cognition – even for those with dementia.
Read more...
30 June 2018 (Press and Journal)
Aberdeen primary pupils may be greeting friends with ‘salve’ rather than ‘fit like’ next term after headteachers were offered the chance to boost Latin in their schools.
The Classical Association of Scotland said a similar campaign in Glasgow had led to 10 schools starting to teach the Roman language.
Now they have written to city council chiefs offering financial assistance to help with training that will enable Latin lessons to take place in city schools.
Learning other languages has proven benefits and the association believes Latin can help with understanding other European tongues.
Read more...
28 June 2018 (The Herald)
Glasgow University has heard its first graduation speech in Gaelic in its 567-year history.
The ancient seat awarded a former moderator of the Church of Scotland with an honorary degree partly because of his commitment to the Celtic tongue.
And the Very Rev Dr Angus Morrison accepted with an oration partly in Gaelic.
Read more...
26 June 2018 (BBC)
Swimming lessons have been offered in Gaelic for the first time in Scotland.
More than 30 young Gaelic speakers have signed up for the classes at the High Life Highland-run Lochaber Leisure Centre in Fort William.
Eilidh Mcarthur, a student teacher working at the pool, suggested the idea after she found out that 11 of the site's staff were Gaelic speakers.
Read more...
21 June 2018 (SQA)
The SQA has published a recording of the Higher Modern Languages webinar that took place on 19 June. The webinar provides guidance on the revised course assessment for session 2018-19.
Webinars can also be accessed from the Understanding Standards website.
Read more...
21 June 2018 (Goethe-Institut)
These workshop at level B1/B2 combine language training in German with topical information on various aspects of German language and culture.
Various dates are available in July, August and September 2018.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to book your place.
Read more...
20 June 2018 (FilmG)
The successful Film G project which encourages the use of Gaelic through film-making has entered it’s 11th year. Film G is run by MG Alba in partnership with CGS and has been a very popular event for Gaelic Learners and Fluent speakers alike over the last decade. Film G organise school visits and more information can be found on their website.
Read more...
20 June 2018 (CLAS)
CLAS - Comann Luchd-Teagaisg Àrd-Sgoiltean, the professional body for Gaelic Secondary Teachers in Scotland, held a successful CLPL conference at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic College in the Isle of Skye on 2 & 3 June. SCILT was in attendance along with other speakers, as colleagues took the opportunity to share their hopes and concerns about Gaelic Education in the present time.
If you are a Gaelic teacher or a teacher who speaks Gaelic and would like to be come a member, contact Catriona MacPhee via CLAS’ facebook page.
Read more...
20 June 2018 (Shetland News)
TEN pupils at Mid Yell Junior High School received prizes on Monday (18 June) as part of a celebration of the teaching and use of French in Scottish schools.
The S2 students, winners of this year's Concours de la francophonie competition, received their prizes during a special award ceremony at the school in the presence of education attaché of the French Embassy in the UK Thomas Chaurin and Shetland Gas Plant facilities management co-ordinator Jenny Wink, who was also representing sponsor Total E&P UK.
The VIP visit came after the Yell bairns were unable to attend the official award ceremony in Edinburgh in March.
With the majority of children now learning French from P1 in Scotland, la francophonie is said to be thriving.
Read more...
19 June 2018 (SCDE)
The Scottish Council of Deans of Education (SCDE) Languages Group, which represents all language strands within the Schools of Education across Scottish Universities, has created a National Framework for Languages (NFfL) and associated digital resource to support teacher educators and teachers at all stages of their careers, with the aim of transforming the 1 + 2 Languages Policy in Scotland into purposeful classroom pedagogies promoting plurilingualism and pluriliteracies.
The NFfL is based on four overarching principles: plurilingualism, diversity, policy and legislation and transformative practice, and reflects the strands of the Professional Standards established by GTCS. For each of these strands the NFfL has identified a series of statements which encourage practitioners to consider a broad and inclusive understanding of the role of language in and for learning. These statements are linked to the associated digital resources: a reflective tool and digital resource bank.
The reflective tool includes a personal biography based on
Pepelino and the
European Language Portfolio as well as a series of reflective questions. These reflective questions are directly linked to the statements of the NFfL and aim to support teachers in evaluating their own practices.
The digital resource bank was created after a systematic review of the international literature covering formal language learning across all ages and stages, the increasingly complex demands of plurilingual and pluricultural classrooms and the need to develop a shared understanding of the role of languages for learning, which addresses the fundamental role played by languages (including the learners’ first language) in developing global citizens.
The NFfL and accompanying digital resources are now being piloted and can be accessed on the National Framework for Languages (NFfL) website.
Further information can be obtained from Ingeborg Birnie (
Ingeborg.birnie@strath.ac.uk).
Read more...
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18 June 2018 (British Council)
British Council is excited to announce the launch of GlobeScotters! We've partnered with @YoungScot to inspire Scotland's young people to embrace the international opportunities available to them at home and abroad!
Over the next six months the GlobeScotters website will be updated with all things international - from funding opportunities, to fun videos on international foods and some big Young Scot Rewards prizes!
Whether you are studying abroad next term, or want to learn about different cultures in your community, we have you covered!
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Learning - Benefits,
Language Skills,
Promoting Languages,
Study Abroad,
Tourism,
News from language & education organisations
17 June 2018 (Daily Record)
Shop owners in Scotland’s busiest tourist traps are struggling to hire Mandarin speakers to cope with a spike in Chinese customers.
Retail outlets, hotels and restaurants are advertising in shop windows as well as online to try to attract staff with specialised language skills.
Balmoral Cashmere in Edinburgh have put out a call for applicants in a street-front display.
Last week saw the first direct flight from China to Scotland.
Official figures show 41,000 Chinese visitors are coming to the country every year.
Highlands hotelier Willie Cameron said: “The Chinese are also buying into hotels and investing so there is business tourism too.
“I struggled to get a Mandarin-speaking receptionist. There aren’t very many Mandarin speakers in Drumnadrochit but the websites for all my hotels are translated into Mandarin.”
Visits from Chinese tourists are worth an estimated £36 million to the Scottish economy, with the average spend per day exceeding £70. Chinese visitors spend about £900 per visit across 12 nights.
Dr Nathan Woolley, director of the Confucius Institute at Glasgow University, said there is an increasing interest from students and business workers to study Mandarin to augment their skills.
Read more...
15 June 2018 (We love Stornoway)
Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP has praised Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s e-Sgoil project in a review document of its first year which has been circulated to all schools in Scotland.
Mr Swinney said “e-Sgoil makes use of our national education intranet, GLOW and it is effectively using this to bring teachers and learners together no matter their location. I would like to congratulate those involved at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar for their vision, energy and commitment in bringing this project forward in such a short period of time.
“In concluding I would like to commend this report to you and hope you are encouraged by the success set out in the following pages.”
e-Sgoil is offering National 5 and Higher Gaelic (Learners) provision on-line to Local Authorities.
e-Sgoil e have identified the following periods for the delivery of National 5 and Higher Gaelic (Learners):
- Mon - 08.50 to 09.40 and 09.40 to 10.30
- Wed - 13.35 to 14.45
- Thurs - 13.55 to 14.45 and 11.45 to 15.35
- Fri - 12.25 to 13.15
Any learners wishing to access these courses can do so using Glow, Office 365 and Vscene.
e-Sgoil also has capacity to deliver weekly Gaelic Learner classes for any schools requiring support with the 1+2 agenda.
If your school or authority is interested in exploring these options contact e-sgoil@gnes.net or phone 01851 822850.
Read more...
12 June 2018 (University of Edinburgh)
French and Spanish MA (Hons) student, Róisín MacFarlane, describes her involvement in SCILT’s Year Abroad schools initiative.
Róisín and three other students from the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures (LLC) recently attended a course with Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) preparing both students and teachers for the Language Linking Global Thinking (LLGT) project.
In this article - her first as Web, Communications and Social Media Intern for LLC - she talks about the LLGT programme and explains why so many schools and students are getting involved.
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Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Learning - Benefits,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
Study Abroad,
News from language & education organisations
11 June 2018 (SQA)
Course support notes and coursework assessment tasks for session 2018-19 are now available, including the new assignment-writing task and performance-talking. Download them from the SQA Higher Modern Languages website ‘2018-19 session’ section.
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8 June 2018 (Scottish Book Trust)
Can you write a story in just 50 words? Each month we’ll provide a prompt to get you started, but where the story goes from there is entirely up to you.
The competition includes four categories, Adult Writers, All-age Gaelic Writers, Young Writers 5-11 and Young Writer 12-18. The entries will be judged by a panel and the four winning stories will be published on our website two weeks after the closing date.
Entries for our June competition are currently open. The prompt is to 'write a story set on a beach'. Submit your story by Tuesday 3 July 2018 at noon.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for more information.
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7 June 2018 (TES)
Hundreds of primary school teachers will have the chance to learn and teach new languages within seven months, under a scheme being expanded after a successful trial.
The distance-learning programme - the first of its kind in the UK – sees primary teachers study either French, Spanish, German or Mandarin and develop the skills to teach the language in the primary classroom at the same time.
After a pilot involving 54 teachers from 49 Scottish schools across nine local authorities in 2017-18, next year the scheme will be available throughout Scotland. Welsh and Northern Irish schools are also expected to sign up.
Teachers taking part will spend about five hours a week from October to June - around 150 hours in total - but they will start teaching the languages to pupils before completing the course.
The scheme, run by The Open University and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, will be launched in Edinburgh today.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
1+2,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
Languages in the press
Press Release: Teachers to learn to teach languages in the classroom
7 June 2018 (SCILT/OU)
An innovative scheme teaching primary teachers languages and how to teach those languages to pupils is being expanded across Scotland for the first time. The first of its kind in the UK, the distance learning programme will see primary teachers study French, Spanish, German or Mandarin and develop the skills to teach the language in the classroom at the same time.
Launching across Scotland today (Thursday 7 June) at an event in Edinburgh where guests will hear from pupils and teachers, the programme is now available to primary school teachers in all local authorities following a successful pilot which featured 54 teachers from 49 schools across nine local authorities in 2017/18. The programme is a partnership between The Open University and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages based at the University of Strathclyde.
Designed to support the Scottish Government’s ‘1+2’ language policy, which aims to enable all pupils to learn two additional languages from primary level onwards, the programme will link up with the cultural organisations of France, Spain, Germany and China to facilitate immersive summer schools for participating teachers. At the same time, schools will also have the opportunity to make connections with schools in the countries whose language pupils are learning.
Dr Sylvia Warnecke, lecturer in languages and programme lead at The Open University, said:
“The key thing about this programme is its flexibility, meaning that teachers in every part of Scotland – whether urban or rural – will be able to learn together and share their experiences and ideas, helping each other to bring the language they’re learning to life in the classroom.
“We’ve already had teachers from the pilot project tell us that their pupils love it and are really engaged. They have been instrumental in starting after school language clubs and making links with schools in other countries. It’s exciting that all teachers, schools and pupils in every part of Scotland now have the chance to learn together through this programme.”
Fhiona Mackay, Director of SCILT, said:
“We see this as an important collaboration between our two universities, local authorities and teachers. The course is focused on developing teachers’ confidence so they are able to create exciting and motivating lessons for their pupils. In this way we can make sure that languages feature as an integral part of the Scottish curriculum and that youngsters are given their full entitlement to language learning.
“The teachers’ commitment to developing their skills is humbling. Their willingness to embrace their own learning in order to benefit their pupils’ experience highlights the professionalism and dedication that is the mark of the teaching profession.”
Gwen McCrossan, Principal Teacher for 1+2 Languages, Argyll & Bute, said:
“This course is ideal for the geographical situation of Argyll & Bute. We are delighted to be able to take part, as it provides a quality learning experience for teachers who would otherwise find it difficult to access language training. The course is also unique because it is tailor-made for primary school.”
The pilot project has been shortlisted in the partnership category in this year’s Herald Higher Education Awards. Such is the interest in the programme following its pilot phase and ahead of its wider rollout, it is expected that teachers from Wales and Northern Ireland will join the next presentation starting in October 2018.
A short video featuring teachers who participated in the pilot talking about their experience of the programme is available on YouTube.
Further information on how to sign-up for next year's course is available on SCILT's website
Posted in:
Primary,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
1+2,
CPD,
Cross-Sector Working,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news
7 June 2018 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest briefing on Gaelic Education is now available on their website.
Read more...
6 June 2018 (Scottish Education Awards)
Congratulations to all the winners in this year's Scottish Education Awards, particularly those schools who came top in the language categories:
- Larbert High School Cluster (1+2 Languages Award)
- Greenfaulds High School (Gaelic Education Award
Visit the Scottish Education Award website for information and photos of all the category winners.
Read more...
5 June 2018 (Radio Edutalk)
Listen to Gillian Campbell-Thow talk about ‘Language Learning in Scottish Education’ broadcast on Radio Edutalk on 5 June 2018.
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18 May 2018 (SALT)
Entries are now being accepted for the #SALT18 competition!
Primary, secondary and senior phase students are invited to produce a promotional video, poster or presentation in the language of their choice.
Find out more on the SALT website. Entry deadline is 7 September 2018.
Read more...
18 May 2018 (SCILT)
The Business Brunches took place earlier on this year across Scotland, and supported DYW and the Scottish Attainment Challenge by giving young people the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the role of languages in the business world.
Take a journey through the entire series of events and explore some of the highlights for yourself, such as:
- A taste of what really went on at these events and why languages play an important role in the world of work by viewing our Business Brunch video located on the main page
- Inspiring quotes and uploads of presentations from a handful of business leaders who were present that you can share with your own learners
- Feedback received from pupils who participated
- Images, tweets, press releases and more
Read through our resources and materials which you may find useful to promote languages for employability in your own school.
Important news! Business Brunches will be returning for year 2018/19. Further details will be announced on the SCILT website and through our e-bulletin after the summer with instructions on how you can register your school to attend. Keep your eyes peeled!
Read more...
17 May 2018 (SQA)
Dates for the next Higher Modern Languages webinars are now available to book on the SQA website (login required).
Sessions are available:
- 4 September
- 10 September
- 29 September
Read more...
16 May 2018 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow has a two-week intensive course during summer, 'Kickstart your German'. The course is designed for complete beginners who want to pick up some of the language quickly. There are also certificate exams taking place in June for those who need evidence of their German language skills.
To find out more, follow the relevant link below:
For more information about the Goethe-Institut and other opportunities and activities they offer, visit their website.
Read more...
16 May 2018 (The Scotsman)
Parents and pupils at Edinburgh’s only Gaelic high school have demanded action to address a teacher shortage and to stand up for children facing discrimination. The calls came as the city council yesterday agreed its Gaelic Language Plan for 2018-22.
It was revealed the authority only has one Gaelic teacher in employment for Gaelic medium education (GME) at James Gillespie’s High School where pupils are taught primarily through the medium of Gaelic. Speaking at a meeting of the council’s corporate policy and strategy committee, which unanimously agreed the plan, parent Marion Thompson raised worries about protection for GME pupils.
Read more...
14 May 2018 (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig)
A two year visual arts project has connected school pupils from Skye and Benbecula.
The pupils from Bunsgoil Shlèite, Skye and Bunsgoil Baile a' Mhanaich, Benbecula worked with professional artists through the medium of Gaelic.
The project, entitled An Cuan Sgìth/The Little Minch, was led by Lasair Ealain and supported by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
The aim of the project is to inspire and empower young people to draw their own environment, working with professional artists to encourage their individual forms of expression and a greater understanding of where they live.
After a series of drawing and painting workshops in their own landscapes the children from Bunsgoil Shlèite visited the pupils in Benbecula for 3 days enabling the children to work together with the artists in different sites, share evening activities through Gaelic and make new friends. At the end of the visit, the Balivanich pupils made the ferry journey across to Skye over An Cuan Sgìth (The Little Minch) drawing on the ferry with the Skye pupils and their teachers.
The pupils were able to work with professional artists, such as Julie Brook, Kate Macdonald and Kath MacLeod (Arts Development Officer SMO).
Subsequently each group learnt how to create compositions of specific areas of their landscape based on a number of their sketchbook drawings, enabling the children to collaborate and work together on large scale charcoal drawings.
The sketchbooks, framed A1 drawings, large scale charcoal compositions and a film of the project will form the exhibitions that express their artistic and physical journey, in Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Skye on 11 May to 23 June 2018.
The project has been funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Western Isles Council, Young Films, Lasair Ealain.
Taigh Chearsabhagh is funded by Creative Scotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.
Read more...
10 May 2018 (National Library of Scotland)
A competition opens today (10 May) which invites young people to show in film what Scotland means to them. The competition has been organised by the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Youth Film Festival as part of the Year of Young People.
Anyone under 19 years of age can submit a one-minute film on any theme, in any language and in any genre.
Visit the National Library of Scotland website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
News from language & education organisations
9 May 2018 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow are holding summer classes for both children and adults. Follow the relevant link below to find out more information:
Visit the Alliance Française main website for more information about the activities and opportunities they offer.
Read more...
8 May 2018 (BBC)
A public consultation on recommended Gaelic names for the most common shellfish in Scotland's seas has been launched.
Scottish Natural Heritage has published a list of 85 marine mollusc names, Gaelic terms for parts of the animals and for different seashell shapes.
The meanings of many of the names have also been explained in English.
The recommendations have been produced by a team from Scottish Natural Heritage and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Gaelic-speaking environmental educator Roddy Maclean has been leading the project.
He interviewed 14 older Gaelic speakers, mostly from the Western Isles, to obtain guidance on the names they use for marine mollusc species.
Mr Maclean said: "There was a general agreement on the names for the most common species.
"But there were some species where people had different terms, or none at all. This challenged us to make a choice and also provide names for species with no recorded Gaelic form."
Some of the suggested names and terms include:
Mollusc - Moileasg
Seashell - Slige mhara
Filter feeder - Sìoltachair
Shellfish harvested by moonlight - Maorach-èalaidh
Read more...
7 May 2018 (Evening Express)
An Aberdeen primary school has announced its new hub for promoting the teaching of Mandarin.
Danestone School launched its Confucius Classroom, which will be a central location for all Aberdeen-based primary schools teaching the language to pupils.
It aims to boost skills in children in line with Scotland’s 1+2 languages policy, which allows every child the opportunity to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue by 2020.
The hub concept promotes joint planning of cultural activities, sharing ideas and resources to stimulate the learning and teaching of Chinese language and culture. The launch event included children singing in Mandarin, and a mixture of Scottish music and dance.
Read more...
6 May 2018 (Daily Record)
The number of Scottish pupils passing foreign language exams has halved over 10 years.
The total at all levels has plunged from 60,176 in 2007 to just 28,503 in 2017.
The fall has been most severe in basic qualifications, raising concerns the figures could get worse in coming years as youngsters lack foundation skills.
Opposition politicians and business leaders have voiced fears that Scotland’s ability to compete as a global economy could be at risk.
Read more...
Certificate of Continuing Education in Spanish (CCEd)
4 May 2018 (University of Strathclyde)
The School of Humanities at the University of Strathclyde is delighted to invite applications for the Certificate of Continuing Education in Spanish in the academic session 2018-2019.
The Certificate of Continuing Education (CCEd) is an intensive beginners’ class that will bring you up to first-year university standard in a year, with the option of continuing your studies into second year and up to university pass degree level within three years.
These evening degree programmes comprises undergraduate level modules in the language at first, second and third-year levels. The two first-year modules, Introduction 1A and Introduction 1B, are intensive beginners’ classes. They are suitable for people with some or no knowledge of the language but with previous experience of language learning, and would equally suit those with qualifications in the language from some years ago who wish to refresh their knowledge.
The CCEd provides a General Teaching Council approved qualification and has in previous years appealed to candidates from diverse backgrounds including:
- professional people with an interest in the Spanish-speaking world and their languages (journalists, marketing consultants, entrepreneurs, etc)
- secondary school teachers wishing to acquire an additional language
- teachers of classics
- primary school teachers
- musicians
For more information about the course and how to apply, please see the attached document.
2 May 2018 (SRF)
The latest news from the Scotland-Russia Forum (SRF) is now available to read online. Teachers of Russian will be interested to hear the SRF has received funding for their schools project and are looking to organise a teacher exchange. See the bulletin for more information.
Read more...
2 May 2018 (Fèisean nan Gàidheal)
Fèisean nan Gàidheal have launched a new initiative through their Fèisgoil project to help increase Gaelic language skills by creating and strengthening inter-generational links.
With support from the Scottish Government, Fèisean nan Gàidheal is now seeking assistance from Gaelic speakers to establish Beairteas.
What is it?
Beairteas is an intergenerational programme to match community-based fluent Gaelic speakers with schools and community groups. Their richness of language, specialist knowledge of Gaelic culture and many other subjects about which they could speak in Gaelic, would provide a valuable resource for pupils. This would complement the sterling work being done by teachers in Gaelic education.
Why?
Gaelic education is very successful and an essential component in growing a new generation of Gaelic speakers. Teachers work extremely hard to immerse children in the language and deliver a range of subjects through the medium of Gaelic.
Gaelic speakers involved in almost any walk of life have a tremendous amount to offer Gaelic education. The Curriculum for Excellence encourages work and engagement with people in communities.
Beairteas aims to complement schoolwork, offering opportunities for children to communicate in Gaelic with people other than their teachers. Engaging them with Gaelic speakers with specialist knowledge of the work they do or have done, as well as any interesting pastimes in which they may have been involved, will strengthen the language skills of the young people giving them a breadth of vocabulary they may not pick up through their daily schoolwork.
You may be a police officer, involved in the health service, community work or a trade. You may have specialist knowledge of Gaelic songs, history, traditional stories, war, sport or working in other countries. You may be involved in fishing, crofting, gardening, photography, weaving, cooking or almost anything in which you could engage young people through the medium of Gaelic.
Would you be willing to be involved?
If you would enjoy working with young people and are passionate about the revitalisation of Gaelic, Fèisean nan Gàidheal would like to hear from you. Work will be paid, but dependent on schools engaging with the Beairteas scheme. If you have any questions, please call Eilidh Mackenzie, Fèisgoil Manager on 01463 225559 or e-mail any queries to beairteas@feisean.org.
More information is available on the organisation's website.
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1 May 2018 (Shetland News)
The Chinese ambassador to the UK was in Yell on Tuesday (1 May) to launch Shetland's second Confucius Classroom Hub.
Mid Yell Junior High School is now part of the Confucius programme, which aims to teach Scottish youngsters about Chinese culture and Mandarin language, after Sandwick Junior High School joined in 2016.
Ambassador Liu Xiaoming and his wife Hu Pinghua visited Yell alongside minister-counselor for education Wang Yongli and representatives of the Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools.
They met councillors and staff from Shetland Islands Council, as well as Mid Yell pupils who entertained the guests with traditional Shetland music and songs - as well as Chinese songs and dance.
Read more...
Related Links
Good Evening Shetland (BBC Shetland, 1 May 2018) Listen to the news item about the new Confucius Hub from 00:48 onwards.
Confucius Classroom Hub launched at Mid Yell JHS (Shetland Islands Council, 1 May 2018)
1 May 2018 (BBC)
A twitter hashtag #IsMiseGàidhlig took the Scottish internet by storm last week as members of the Gaelic community, fluent speakers and learners alike gave their positive experiences of Scotland’s oldest native language in response to negative stories in the press.
Thug an taga-hais #IsMiseGàidhlig os làimh Twitter na h-Alba an t-seachdain seo nuair a bha buill de choimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig, fileantaich agus luchd-ionnsachaidh le chèile, a’ sgaoileadh sgeulachdan togarrach mun a’ chànan mar fhreagairt air droch sgeulachdan anns na meadhanan.
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30 April 2018 (Lingo Flamingo)
Research shows that speakers of foreign languages can postpone the effects of dementia by up to 4.5 years later than monolinguists. Language learning acts as a great way of keeping your brain fit and active as well as building up cognitive reserve, making the brain more resilient.
Lingo Flamingo utilises this research by providing tailored, fun and accessible classes in care homes and day centres across Scotland. We are a not-for-profit organisation whose objective is to use language learning as a way to empower older adults and to battle against dementia and brain ageing.
We are looking for compassionate and enthusiastic language volunteers who can teach their language in care homes across Scotland. As a language tutor you will go into care homes and teach older adults in classes of 10 students.
Classes take place 1 hour a week for 10 weeks. We will cover your expenses.
Classes take place Monday to Friday, usually in the early afternoon. You need to commit for at least 10 weeks, for 1 hour a week (same day and same time every week).
In conjunction with the Open University we offer tailored training and support about teaching older adults. Even though it is a language class, it is mainly about having fun! It is a great opportunity to increase your confidence as well as the confidence of the students.
After you let us know that you are interested, you would need to fill out a registration form and meet us for an informal chat. Once you agree to volunteer, we would enter you onto the database and match you with a care home that is close to you.
For more information, please contact papoula.romao@lingoflamingo.co.uk or visit our website for more information.
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28 April 2018 (The Scotsman)
E-Sgoil is now being expanded to teach a range of subjects to pupils all over Scotland after initially being created in response to teacher recruitment problems in the Western Isles.
And Angus MacLennan, head teacher of e-Sgoil, said there were now plans to recruit a teacher to offer Arabic lessons.
The move is in response to an anticipated demand from pupils.
[..] E-Sgoil is also hoping to recruit online tutors to teach Mandarin in response to a demand from pupils in the Western Isles.
Read more...
27 April 2018 (Scottish Government)
To help us prepare our British Sign Language Plan, we will be holding an event at the Scottish Parliament building to gather the views of BSL users. Please come along!
The event will be on the afternoon of Friday 18 May and the morning of Saturday 19 May.
Tours of the Scottish Parliament debating chamber and garden lobby will be available in BSL on both days.
Visit the website for more information and to book.
Read more...
26 April 2018 (The Times)
The number of pupils taking Higher French and German has fallen as interest in Italian and Chinese rises.
The number of pupils studying any Higher modern languages fell 6.2 per cent between 2016 and last year. Pupils studying Higher French fell by 14 per cent to 3,918 and German was down 13 per cent from 1,020 to 89. The number of students taking Higher Spanish hit 2,809, up 8 per cent on 2016; Italian rose 21 per cent to 264; Chinese languages grew in popularity by 16 per cent to 129; and Urdu rose by 13 per cent to 104. Those learning Gaelic at Higher level fell by 18 per cent, to 69.
(Subscription required to read full article).
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Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
Languages in the press,
Urdu
24 April 2018 (Education Scotland)
National Digital Learning Week is an annual Education Scotland event where teachers and learners from all schools in Scotland are encouraged to take part in digital learning and teaching activities.
There are loads of ways to get involved in #NDLW18; the sky is the limit!
To help get things started Education Scotland are launching 2 main activities:
- An exclusive National Digital Story telling activity for 30 schools across Scotland with famous children’s author Lari Don.
- A digital story telling activity schools can enjoy in their local setting.
Why not use the local opportunity to create a digital story with your pupils in the language they are learning?
Find out more on the Education Scotland Glow blog.
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Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Technology,
News from language & education organisations
24 April 2018 (The Scotsman)
John Swinney has announced that a third Gaelic school is to open in Glasgow as part of the Scottish Government’s drive to increase the number of speakers of the language.
The new school will provide Gaelic medium education (GME) and is expected to open in the Cartvale area of the city.
Nearly 900 pupils are enrolled in Glasgow’s two existing GME schools at Glendale and Berkeley Street – both of which are now at capacity. The plans for the new school were announced during a Holyrood debate on the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-23.
Read more...
23 April 2018 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française Glasgow is pleased to announce it will be running special French workshops for children aged 5-10 in late June / early July.
This is an ideal opportunity for children of all levels to find out more about French language and culture through fun activities such as arts & crafts, songs, games, etc.
Visit the website for further information.
Read more...
23 April 2018 (SQA)
SQA has published the revised Course Specification for the Higher Modern Languages course (version April 2018). This is available from the Modern Languages Higher webpage. To access the document please go to the tab ‘2018-19 session’ and under the ‘Essential Information’ heading click on ‘Course Specification’.
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18 April 2018 (RZSS)
Spanish Days are being replaced with Spanish sessions at Edinburgh Zoo.
Suitable for P4-P7 and S1-S2, schools can now book their own date and time to suit.
Costs as per education rates at Edinburgh Zoo - £7 per pupil, with 1 adult per 7 children free of charge (Primary) and 1 adult per 10 children free of charge (Secondary). See how to book on the website.
Please use the booking form and choose 'Science in the Language Class - Spanish'.
Free resources are available to download to help your visit.
Spanish Packs are available at £50+VAT and £6 post and packing - details also on the website.
For further information or to purchase a pack contact Sandie Robb.
Read more...
16 April 2018 (Glasgow Live)
A city centre hotel is extending a warm welcome to guests from all over the world - and in 10 different languages too.
Apex City of Glasgow’s concierge and reception staff are learning key phrases from 10 of the most commonly spoken languages among the hotel’s guests.
The move is part of a #WarmerWelcome project rolled out across Apex hotels, the Bath Street branch included.
Staff will be learning a how to speak in German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Swedish, Norwegian, Japanese and Danish.
Read more...
16 April 2018 (Press and Journal)
Pupils from Portree will today attend different primary schools for the first time as a new Gaelic School opens its doors.
The school becomes the fifth dedicated Gaelic specific school across Scotland – and the third in the Highland region – to offer pupils the opportunity to be educated in the form of Gaelic medium education.
The construction phase of the £8.7million project began in September 2016 and concluded this month as parents and friends of the school will gather at the end of this week to celebrate the schools opening with a family ceilidh.
Read more...
12 April 2018 (SQA)
The SQA is running an evening webinar on 5 June to provide an overview of the new Modern Languages Higher course assessment arrangements which will be implemented from session 2018-19 onwards.
This will cover the performance–talking and there will be a particular focus on Higher assignment-writing.
To book a place, please visit the SQA online booking system.
Additional webinar sessions on the new Higher Modern Languages Course assessment arrangements will be running in September 2018.
Read more...
5 April 2018 (Edinburgh Napier University)
Edinburgh Napier University is delighted to announce the publication of the very first issue of Worldwide Napier, a free magazine in which our students in languages (French, German, Italian and Spanish) showcase some of their work. It is available now on digital and soon a few print copies will circulate within Edinburgh.
Secondary school pupils are being invited to contribute articles for the forthcoming issues. View the magazine online and see the attached introductory letter for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
HE,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
5 April 2018 (Dumbarton Reporter)
Budding linguists at St Mary’s Primary School in Alexandria celebrated their language skills with a French learning day.
Pupils were put into mixed groups of P1-3 and P4-7 and spent the day taking part in various activities including games, STEM tasks and letting their creative sides loose with some art.
The children also welcomed their parents into school for an afternoon to involve them in the fun and to show off their newly-acquired language skills.
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2 April 2018 (Falkirk Herald)
The multilingual talents of budding poets from Graeme High and Moray Primary were celebrated in the 2018 Mother Tongue Other Tongue awards.
Graeme High pupil Danai Nikitea was crowned the winner of the Mother Tongue category during a prestigious ceremony at University of Strathclyde on March 17.
While Kole Murray from Moray Primary and Harely Ewen and Simi Singh, both from Graeme High, were Highly Commended in the Other Tongue category.
These students used their language skills to create and share poetry for the ceremony.
Read more...
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Awards,
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SCILT,
Strathclyde University,
Languages in the press
29 March 2018 (Daily Record)
Following an editorial campaign running in the Daily Record, the finalists for this year's Scottish Education Awards have been announced.
Finalists will attend the prestigious awards ceremony at Glasgow's Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central on June 6th, where each of the fifteen winners will be announced.
Details of all the finalists can be found in the Daily Record news article online.
Congratulations and good luck to the schools shortlisted in the language-related categories!Read more...
29 March 2018 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow invites you to join them for an evening of fun and friendly competition as they play modern board games from France and Germany!
This event takes place on 18 April 2018 and is primarily aimed at learners of French or German who would like to practice their speaking skills. However, anyone is welcome and choice of language will be adapted to the group.
The event is free to attend, but registration is essential.
Visit the website for more information and to register.
Read more...
29 March 2018 (The Herald)
A drive has been launched to revive a classical education in state schools across Scotland.
Leading classics organisations have joined forces to promote the study of Latin and the history and culture of Ancient Rome and Greece.
Once a fundamental pillar of education, Latin has declined dramatically since the 1970s and now very few state schools offer it.
In 2013, just 218 candidates sat Latin at Higher compared to 243 the previous year. Only 48 pupils took Latin as an Advanced Higher.
In order to lead a revival the UK charity Classics for All, which provides grant funding to schools, opened a Scottish hub in September last year.
Alex Imrie, an academic from Edinburgh University and the charity’s Scotland representative, said the hub was seeking to introduce a Latin module aimed at primary school pupils.
It also wants to revise and update existing qualifications in Classical Studies for secondary school pupils and to work with university departments to reintroduce the subject as a specialism within postgraduate teaching qualifications.
He said: “We’re approaching councils across Scotland to try and get them on board to try and reintroduce classics into the curriculum.
“We are enjoying a lot of enthusiasm with the people we are speaking to, but it is early days and we need to get more momentum and spread the word even further.
“There are academic benefits with improvements to English and other areas of the curriculum and it is long overdue that we break the myth that classics is only for the elite or only for those who go to independent schools.”
Read more...
29 March 2018 (The Scotsman)
An MSP is seeking to raise the profile of Gaelic by delivering an entire speech in the language at Holyrood.
Kate Forbes will become just the second female MSP, and the first in the current Scottish Parliament chamber, to deliver a whole contribution in Gaelic during a plenary debate.
Ms Forbes, who chairs Holyrood’s cross-party group on the language, will speak as MSPs consider a motion on Scotland’s support for the (Unesco) convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
Read more...
28 March 2018 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
The new National Gaelic Language Plan, which sets out the framework for the faster growth of the language across Scotland, has been launched today (Wednesday 28th March) at the Scottish Parliament.
The central purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable more people to use Gaelic more often and in a wider range of situations. The key messages, aims, priorities and new commitments contained in the Plan all contribute to achieving this increased use of Gaelic.
Read more...
28 March 2018 (BBC)
A new body to promote Doric and the North-East Scots language is being launched in Aberdeen.
The North-East Scots Language Board aims to promote the language with the goal of making it more visible in everyday life, including Doric signage.
The body will be made up of representatives from Aberdeen's two universities and north east councils.
As well as the Doric, the board aims to promote other local dialects from the north east of Scotland.
A Scots language course is also being launched at the University of Aberdeen.
Read more...
French classes in Glasgow and Edinburgh
27 March 2018 (Alliance Française / Institut français)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow and the Institut français en Ecosse in Edinburgh are now enrolling for Term D French classes.
There are a range of courses available to suit all levels. Classes commence 16 April 2018.
Visit the appropriate website through the links below for more information and to book your place.
22 March 2018 (TES)
In a school serving one of the most deprived areas of Edinburgh, Mandarin is the only language on offer.
Learning Mandarin has tended to be an opportunity only available to a minority of Scottish pupils, often in private schools.
But in a school serving one of the most deprived areas of Edinburgh, Mandarin is currently the only language on offer.
In October, when Castlebrae Community High's only modern languages teacher left for maternity leave, it struggled to replace her – but then the school received some external investment to teach Mandarin.
This enables it to share a teacher with several other schools in the city. The subject is taught in the first and second year. Next year, some pupils hope to continue it in their third year, with the aim of achieving a national qualification in the language.
In October, 12 pupils will head to Beijing to experience Chinese language and culture for themselves.
Read more...
22 March 2018 (YOYP/National Lottery)
To mark the Year of Young People 2018, a new National Lottery fund has been launched to help young people #SparkAChange in their lives. Grants between £3,000 and £10,000 are available for heritage, community and sports projects which are run by and for young people aged eight to 26. Funding is available for projects which encourage positive mental health for young people and inspire them to lead active lives.
We’re all aware of the positive mental health benefits of language learning, so why not encourage your students to set up a language project, perhaps a community language class or an outdoor language adventure trail? Visit the Lottery Fund website for more information and to apply by one of the two funding deadlines - 30 April 2018 or 18 June 2018.
Read more...
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22 March 2018 (SCILT/SQA)
We have summarised the Course Reports for National 5 Modern Languages. These reports highlight areas where candidates performed well in the 2017 exam and areas where they encountered difficulty.
They contain sound advice for both teachers and pupils in the run up to this year's exam diet.
The full report for each language can be accessed on the SQA website under the Verification and Course Reports tab.
Read more...
20 March 2018 (SRF)
The latest news and events from the Scotland-Russia Forum (SRF) can be found in their March 2018 news bulletin. This edition includes information about Russian taster events and materials for schools, so why not take a look and find out how to introduce the language to your pupils?
Read more...
20 March 2018 (Press and Journal)
The £7 million Cnoc Soilleir Project is a joint venture between Lews Castle College UHI and Ceolas Gaelic, the arts and heritage organisation in Daliburgh, South Uist.
It will receive investment from the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Capital Plan and is expected to create 40 jobs.
The area is recognised as a key community for the revitalisation of the Gaelic language in Scotland and Cnoc Soilleir has a significant role in leading this development.
Read more...
19 March 2018 (Scottish Government)
This report presents data from Ipsos MORI's Young People in Scotland Survey 2017 on the choices young people make regarding STEM and language subjects in school.
The report can be accessed on the Scottish Government website.
Read more...
19 March 2018 (Education Scotland)
These FAQs produced by Education Scotland cover the main points raised during a series of secondary 1+2 ‘roadshows’ held in 2017.
This resource is for those teachers in secondary modern languages departments who are responsible for transition and course planning. It can be accessed on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
16 March 2018 (SCILT)
The James Young High School (JYHS) is a six year, non-denominational, co-educational, comprehensive school with four associated primary schools in West Lothian. This case study focuses on the partnership approach between the secondary and associate primaries in the implementation of the 1+2 policy.
In the JYHS cluster all learners study French as L2 throughout the broad general education until the end of S3 and German is delivered as an L3 on the continuum model.
Read the case study on the 1+2 section of our website.
Read more...
16 March 2018 (SCILT/SQA)
We have summarised the Course Reports for Higher Modern Languages. These reports highlight areas where candidates performed well in the 2017 exam and areas where they encountered difficulty. They contain sound advice for both teachers and pupils in the run up to this year's exam diet. They can be found in the
Senior Phase section of our website.
The full report for each language can be accessed on the
SQA website under the Verification and Course Reports tab.
Read more...
16 March 2018 (SCHOLAR)
SCHOLAR’s last Modern Language webinar of the session is for Advanced Higher French, German and Spanish. Douglas Angus will give advice on tackling the reading paper, in particular the overall purpose question. Afterwards he will look at suggestions for revising for the final exam, and answer any questions on writing either the discursive writing or the folio.
The session is on Monday 19 March at 6pm. Like all the other sessions, it is recorded and available on the SCHOLAR website. Enter as a guest. No password necessary!
Read more...
OU/SCILT languages course for primary practitioners
15 March 2018 (Open University in Scotland/SCILT)
Due to the success of the initial pilot of the course developed by the OU and SCILT, LXT192/4 Learning to teach languages in primary school (French/Spanish), we are delighted to now be able to extend the offer to all Local Authorities. The course will be offered for the following languages:
French (LXT192), German (LXT193), Spanish (LXT194) and Mandarin (LXT197).
For the
next presentation of this course starting in October 2018,
registration will open on 1 April 2018. The course fee is £240.00 per student.
The course will be available to all primary practitioners but also secondary teachers who teach at primary level. We have produced an FAQ document with further detail about the course for your information.
In order to make the enrolment process as smooth as possible, we advise that in the first instance Development Officers contact Sylvia Warnecke at the Open University (s.warnecke@open.ac.uk ) with a list of the names and email addresses of teachers planning to study this in their Local Authority. We aim to complete enrolment by late June 2018 to allow time for planning staffing and timetabling.
And last but not least, we are planning to offer teachers, who enrol on the course, a summer school experience which will offer immersion in the language to boost confidence and provide ample opportunities to learn more about the cultures in which the language they are studying is spoken. The summer school is not part of the course, it is optional and can be booked separately. More information on this will be published in due course.
Policy makers, local councils, local authorities, MSPs and Consulates may also be interested in an event celebrating last years' pilot course, Primary school teachers learning to teach languages - A celebration, being held in Edinburgh on 7 June 2018.
Posted in:
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15 March 2018 (Heriot-Watt University)
The Multilingual Debate 2018 takes place on Wednesday 21 March at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus. As with previous years, the event is being streamed live over the internet. Schools should visit the website for information on how to participate in the online stream.
Read more...
9 March 2018 (SCILT/SQA)
We have summarised the Course Reports for Advanced Higher Modern Languages. These reports highlight areas where candidates performed well in the 2017 exam and areas where they encountered difficulty. They contain sound advice for both teachers and pupils in the run up to this year's exam diet. They can be found in the Senior Phase section of our website.
The full report for each language can be accessed on the SQA website under the Verification and Course Reports tab.
Read more...
24 October 2017 (BBC)
The Scottish government is expected to announce plans to integrate the use of British Sign Language (BSL) into every element of daily and public life.
It will reveal its national plan for people with hearing loss later.
Measures expected to be in the plan include moves to remove barriers which prevent deaf people becoming teachers.
It is also likely to address "fair and equal access" to employment opportunities, including apprenticeships and internships.
Minister Mark McDonald is to visit the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, which offers the UK's only degree course for deaf performers.
He will then outline the details of the national plan to the Scottish Parliament.
Read more...
23 October 2017 (Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig)
A second language can be learned more easily when it is taught through music, was the message given out at the Royal National Mod in Lochaber earlier this month.
Jackie Mullen, a consultant trainer for the Go! Gaelic programme being run by Gaelic educational resources organisation Stòrlann, has seen first hand how effective music is as a learning tool. The Go! Gaelic programme includes a comprehensive programme of online resources that are used in primary schools across the country to teach some Gaelic to children who are in English Medium Education.
Visit the website or see the attached press release for more information.
Read more...
GTCS Excellence in Professional Learning Awards for Universities of Dundee and Glasgow
23 October 2017 (University of Dundee/UCMLS)
On 21 September 2017 GTCS held its first Excellence in Professional Learning Award ceremony at the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow. The event also celebrated professional learning programmes that have been accredited with GTCS Professional Recognition. This included the University of Dundee for its Graduate Diplomas in French, German and Spanish by distance learning and the University of Glasgow for its Postgraduate Certificate ‘Teaching and Learning of Modern Languages in Primary Schools’. UCMLS Chair Marion Sporing said "Universities in Scotland continue to play an important role in supporting teachers in promoting and sustaining the learning of languages in Scottish schools and the wider education sector."
23 October 2017 (LFEE)
LFEE were delighted – and very proud - to collect a GTCS Professional Recognition Accredited Programme Award last month for our three-week French/Spanish Immersion Programmes and the 12-month Modern Languages Immersion and Methodology Programme. This is following on from having achieved course accreditation three years ago.
Representatives from ten Local Authorities from across Scotland attended the PowerLanguage conference to witness the launch of the NEW PowerLanguage Schools (PLS) website. Feedback from those present was extremely positive and the new site is now available to other practitioners!
Our “off the shelf” L3 in Mandarin was also very popular and will be available in Spanish soon.
Last but not least, we’re very excited to say that Caroline Gordon has joined our team 2 days a week and will be helping us with communication and social media amongst other things!
Contact us for information regarding any of the above projects. We look forward to hearing from you!
Read more...
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Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Study Abroad,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
SQA Spanish Appointee Opportunities – 2018 Exam Diet
18 October 2017 (SQA)
SQA is currently advertising the following 2018 Exam Diet Appointee roles for Spanish:
Team Leaders will assist the Higher Principal Assessor with post-examination procedures and support a team of Markers during marking activity.
The Senior Marker will support the AH Principal Assessor with procedural activity across Talking Performance, Portfolio & Papers 1&2.
Support and training will be provided.
Further detail about the roles is available via the links above, where applications may be submitted. Closing date is Sunday 5 November 2017.
Please feel free to forward this information to any practitioners who may be interested in applying.
If you have any queries please contact Elaine Clusker, Qualification Officer: elaine.clusker@sqa.org.uk.
17 October 2017 (Press and Journal)
Stories about one of the most popular Scottish characters of all time have now been translated into Gaelic.
The Oor Wullie – or Uilleam Againne – book is being launched today at the Royal National Mod in Fort William.
The book, described as a “huge piece of work” was a labour of love for Dr Domnhnall Uilleam Stiubhart of the University of the Highlands and Islands who is based at the Gaelic college, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, on Skye and colleague, Mairi Kidd.
The young rascal, who has immortalised catchphrases such as Jings, Crivvens and Help ma Boab, and is always getting into mischief, set his translators quite a challenge – especially with the speech bubbles that come out of his mouth.
Dr Stiubhart said: “Every speech bubble had to be changed and made as simple as possible so that a child could read them. We felt that all the young Gaelic speakers were missing out by not having stories such as these in their language.
“My two sons, Alasdair who is 10 and Seumas, seven, just love Oor Wullie, so we thought it would be great to do a book on him that youngsters can start reading by themselves. Lots of adults love the Oor Wullie adventures too, so it can really be for everyone.”
Read more...
17 October 2017 (Open University/SCILT)
Primary school teachers are being given the confidence to teach languages to their pupils through a new project run by The Open University (OU) in Scotland and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages.
Fifty one teachers from schools across nine local authorities are participating in ‘Learning to teach Languages in Primary School’ which will see them learn French or Spanish as well as how to teach the language in class.
The project aims to support the Scottish Government’s “1+2” Language Policy, which has the objective that every pupil will learn two modern foreign languages alongside their mother tongue from primary school onwards.
Read more...
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SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations
16 October 2017 (The Herald)
A Gaelic tsar would ensure Scotland’s mother tongue flourishes in the classroom in the wake of a controversial failed bid to create a new Gaelic primary school, an academic has claimed.
Professor Rob Dunbar, chair of Celtic languages at Edinburgh University, said the current mechanism to force councils and other bodies to promote the language was too weak.
It comes after a bid by parents for Gaelic primary school education was rejected by East Renfrewshire Council despite new laws designed to encourage the spread of the language.
Read more...
13 October 2017 (CISS)
The application process for the Tianjin scholarship 2018-2019 is now open. Further information about the scholarship which offers young people the opportunity to study Mandarin in Tianjin can be found on our website. The closing date for applications is Monday 6 November 2017.
Please note that we can only accept applications from current 6th years in an authority with a Confucius Classroom hub.
If you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact
ciss-info@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
12 October 2017 (SQA)
Are you looking for CPD opportunities? Become an appointee for SQA – apply to be an Event Verifier in Modern Languages. It's a really worthwhile role and great professional development in relation to building confidence about national standards.
Visit the SQA website for more information and to apply by 29 October.
Read more...
12 October 2017 (University of Dundee/UCMLS)
A series of events celebrating languages and cultures across Scotland as part of the UK’s annual Being Human Festival of the Humanities, 'Languages Lost & Found' aims to make visible the often hidden richness and diversity of languages and cultures in Scottish society through community-led workshops and demonstrations.
Events will take place simultaneously on 18 November in a number of locations across Scotland, and activities will vary by location. The event series is organised by the University Council for Modern Languages Scotland with support from Scotland's National Centre for Languages and British Council Scotland and financial support by the AHRC Modern Languages Leadership Fellow funds (Prof. Janice Carruthers).
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
12 October 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française Glasgow is now offering special training designed for Primary School teachers to help them (re-)validate their professional development and accreditation.
Our team can travel to your school for a twilight to teach a 10-hour programme (2hrs per week over 5 weeks) suited for beginners/false beginners.
As well as working on your pronunciation and vocabulary skills, this course will provide you with "ready to teach" ideas and materials which can also be transferred to other languages in the 1+2 context.
Visit the Alliance Française website for further details.
Read more...
12 October 2017 (The Herald)
The long-term future of the Gaelic language in the Outer Hebrides is under threat, according to a leading academic.
The warning came after new figures showed a decline in pupils studying Gaelic in parts of the Western Isles.
Once regarded as the traditional stronghold of the language, numbers sitting Gaelic exams in the third and fourth year of secondary school have fallen from 78 to just 24 in the past decade.
The decline mirrors a drop across Scotland with a nine per cent fall in entries for all Gaelic exams in 2017 including National 5 and Higher.
Professor Rob Dunbar, chair of Celtic languages at Edinburgh University, said he was concerned for the future of the language.
Read more...
9 October 2017 (SEET)
Euroquiz, the annual project for P6 pupils in Scotland, is once again open for those wishing to participate in 2018.
The project, which sees team of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe and the wider world, includes coverage of foreign languages, history, geography, sport, culture and European affairs.
Heats take place in every local authority from January to March 2018, with the winning teams from all areas going forward to the National Euroquiz Final held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament in May 2018.
Visit the Scottish European Education Trust (SEET) website for more information about Euroquiz and how to register your school to take part.
Read more...
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Italian,
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News from language & education organisations
9 October 2017 (The Herald)
Behold Alba, the peculiar country. One of Scotland’s peculiarities is the way that people get their drathais in a twist about language.
And when we say language we mean Gaelic. Only last week, announcements that Gaelic would appear on road signs in Edinburgh and efforts made to revive the language in Tayside gave rise to frothing of the mouth and gnashing of the teeth therein from the usual suspects.
Odd thing: a desire to kill a language. Fair enough, it has declined on its own, as it were, submerged in a larger culture that for a while outlawed it. But it isn’t dead yet, and the urge to kick it when it is down is a strange aspect of the Scottish character, one with which we are familiar in its wider context of national self-loathing.
Read more...
6 October 2017 (Scottish Book Trust)
- Are you 14-17 years old, living in Scotland, and care about creative writing and illustration?
- Do you want to meet other teens interested in creative writing and illustration?
- Do you want to improve your own creative skills?
- Do you want to help create events and resources for other teens?
- Do you want to show Scotland that teenagers make brilliant creative work?
If this sounds like you, read on to find out more about our What’s Your Story? Development Programme and how to apply to join us this year! It’s free to apply and to take part.
The programme invites and encourages Gaelic speakers to get involved.
Application deadline: 12 noon on Monday 16 October 2017.
Read more...
6 October 2017 (SCILT/SQA)
The course specification for National 5 has been updated following the Scottish Government announcement that unit assessments will no longer be mandatory from session 2016-17 at this level. As well as extracting the key points providing an overview of the content and assessment requirements, we now have links to SQA's recording of the National 5 webinar held in April/May and repeated in September/October 2017 on our website.
Other National Qualifications will be reviewed and updated in due course.
Read more...
22 September 2017 (SCILT/CISS)
Today sees the launch of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition and we're delighted to announce the addition of a category for students in further and higher education, enabling all Scottish educational establishments to participate.
Whether pupils are learning a language at school, college or university, or whether they speak a native language at home, everyone can get involved in celebrating their linguistic and cultural diversity through creative poetry writing as there are options to enter in either the Mother Tongue or Other Tongue category. Even if you've taken part in the competition before, please note and read the new rules and criteria as only original work will be considered.
For more information about this year's competition and previous events, visit our MTOT website and register to take part! Closing date for registrations is 27 October 2017.
Read more...
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SCILT news
22 September 2017 (SCILT)
On Thursday 21 September, the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) hosted their first Excellence in Professional Learning Awards held at the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow.
The Excellence in Professional Learning Award for Schools and Learning Communities recognises the central role that leadership at all levels plays in creating and sustaining professional learning environments where teacher professionalism can flourish and bring sustained impact on learning and learners.
Sir Harry Burns, Former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland and Ken Muir, CEO of the GTCS presented this new award to Windygoul Primary School, East Lothian; North Ayrshire Professional Learning Academy and Fife Pedagogy Team and St Ninian’s RC High School, East Dunbartonshire. See the
GTCS website for more detail about the individual successes.
In addition, professional learning programmes that have been accredited with Professional Recognition were also celebrated. As such, Lynne Jones Professional Development Officer at SCILT was delighted to accept a trophy on behalf of SCILT and Education Scotland as further validation of the 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme (formerly known as Train the Trainer). Visit the SCILT website for more information about this national, flagship professional learning opportunity.
Read more...
An t-Alltan conference
22 September 2017 (Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig)
Teachers involved in Gaelic Medium Education from all over the country will be gathering in Aviemore next week for the annual An t-Alltan conference.
Organised by Gaelic educational resources organisation Stòrlann Naiseanta na Gaidhlig, based in Stornoway, this will be the ninth year of An t-Alltan and the number of attendees has been growing every year.
It is taking place in the Macdonald Aviemore Conference Centre, on September 27 and 28.
Around 200 teachers from the early years sector through to high school are expected to attend and the keynote speech will be delivered by Joan Mackay, assistant director at Education Scotland, on the theme of ‘developing the young workforce’ and ‘what kind of leaders we need to be’.
There will be nearly 30 workshops held across the two days and 18 exhibitors.
See the full press release attached for more information.
20 September 2017 (Education Scotland)
2017 is the year of History, Heritage & Archaeology . To celebrate, Education Scotland are launching a Creative Writing competition at the Scottish Learning Festival on 20 September. Learners of any and all ages are invited to enter to win Scots Language books for their school. Learners should write a poem or short story of not more than 750 words in length. The story or poem must be written in Scots language – though can be in any dialect of Scots, as broad or unique as the writer would like.
Log onto Glow and join the Scots blether to be kept up to date on all information on the competition. Go to the
Visit Scotland website for more info on the 2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
Read more...
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20 September 2017 (Glasgow Live)
Glasgow is officially home to a world leader in the teaching of Chinese language and culture.
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's Schools (CISS) has been appointed a Model Confucius Institute by the global headquarters, Hanban.
The centre, based at the University of Strathclyde, is one of only 40 facilities out of 500 across the globe to be given the status.
Bosses have also announced the institute, which is open to people from all over the country, is set for a move to a new HQ at the university's Ramshorn Theatre.
The Grade A-Listed building is being given a £2 million refurbishment - which includes a substantial investment by Hanban - to develop it as a publicly-accessible hub for learning and cultural exchange.
The new premises will have the capacity to host performances, conferences and exhibitions.
A plaque marking the new status of the institute was unveiled at a conference attended by Scottish Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville.
Liu Xiaoming, China’s Ambassador to the UK, was also a keynote speaker at the event, held to mark the fifth anniversary of the foundation of the Institute.
Strathclyde Principal Professor Sir Jim McDonald said: “As a leading international university, we are extremely proud of our academic links around the globe and our diverse student and staff community.
“This prestigious accolade for our Confucius Institute reflects the important role it plays in improving understanding of Chinese language and culture across Scotland, and we congratulate everyone involved on their fantastic achievement.
“I’m particularly pleased that the Institute’s move to its new headquarters on campus will enable even more schools, businesses and community groups to benefit from increased educational and economic opportunities, with a further 10 Confucius Classroom Hubs being announced today.”
Read more...
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Strathclyde University,
Languages in the press
20 September 2017 (The Herald)
A council plans to spend £160,000 teaching its staff to speak Gaelic.
Perth and Kinross aims to reverse the decline which has left just 1,287 locals speaking the language.
The local authority has revealed proposals for a £160,000 Gaelic Language Plan to be rolled out over the next five years.
Read more...
19 September 2017 (Alliance Française)
The autumn term has just begun at the Alliance Française in Glasgow. In their latest newsletter, find out more about the upcoming courses and events taking place, including:
- Beginner course for primary school teachers
- Grammar course and oral skills course for university students
- October break workshop for children
- DELF/DALF exams
- Distance learning with 'Frantastique' - access a free trial
For all this, and more, see the newsletter online.
Read more...
19 September 2017 (Fife Today)
Police Scotland has today (Tuesday, September 19) introduced its dual language logo featuring both English and Gaelic.
The branding, which carries both Police Scotland and Poileas Alba, will be introduced on the service’s website and intranet.
It will also be carried on signage, stationery and vehicles, and will be introduced on these items as they are replaced on reaching the end of their serviceable life.
The changes are being made as part of the force’s commitment to implementing its Gaelic Language Plan, which sets out the service’s pledge to creating a sustainable future for the language in Scotland by integrating it within Police Scotland’s services and corporate identity.
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15 September 2017 (Education Scotland)
This video resource contains the key messages by speakers from the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), Education Scotland, the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), and SCILT, Scotland's National Centre for Languages, on the 1+2 approach to language learning and the impact of the policy in the secondary sector. The resource also contains key PowerPoint slides.
This resource can be used in modern languages departments, to support discussion around transition, entitlement and effective timetabling for L2 (first additional language) and L3 (second additional language).
Visit the Education Scotland website for more information.
Read more...
15 September 2017 (TESS)
A project that allows lessons to be beamed into Scottish classrooms has been described as “one of the best things” happening in Scottish education by a former education director who has conducted an independent review of the scheme.
The e-Sgoil – or e-school – based in the Western Isles became a reality at the beginning of 2016-17 to help tackle the teacher shortage, particularly in Gaelic, and to give secondary pupils in remote and rural schools a wider range of subjects.
Access the full article in TESS online, 15 September 2017 (subscription may be required).
Read more...
15 September 2017 (Languagenut)
Languagenut is a professional teaching tool that offers teaching resources across 21 modern foreign languages.
It is the perfect tool to support the 1+2 approach to language learning, as all audio files are recorded by native speakers. With a range of games, songs and stories, Languagenut supports the four key skills of language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
In addition, Languagenut offers special integrated tools which allow teachers both create their own classes and content, and also set and track homework, generate certificates and evaluate students’ progress in real time. These timesaving tools help teachers to deliver more personalised teaching and customise lessons to fit each individual.
Accessible at school and at home, Languagenut helps to bridge the gap between classroom and home learning.
We’ve collaborated with SCILT to give Scottish schools free exclusive access to Languagenut for 45 days! Visit the website to register.
Read more...
14 September 2017 (SEET)
Want to get pupils more engaged in language learning and encourage uptake? Are you keen to improve their confidence and win an award or two? Then get involved!
SEET's Our World is a free film making project, run by the Scottish European Educational Trust, which is designed to encourage language learning and uptake among pupils. The project is open to any team of four from S3 - S6 (no previous film making knowledge is required) and last year resulted in over 88% of participant pupils saying they were more likely to take languages into their next year as a result of taking part.
All teams have to do to enter is come up with a creative idea for a film, based on this year's theme. Then, with our help teams put that idea into storyboard form and send it to us with an audio or video clip explaining it. The deadline for storyboard submissions is 4 December 2017.
Visit the website to find out more about the project and how to enter.
Read more...
12 September 2017 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
The Confucius Institute for Scotland's programme of Chinese classes for the autumn term will start 25 September 2017.
Classes on offer range from beginner to advanced levels. This autumn, in addition to our usual evening classes, we will also offer a short daytime course running 2.5 hrs per week for five weeks - Chinese for Travellers. Ideal if planning a visit to China or just as a taster course.
Visit the website for course details and registration, or to find out about other events and opportunities offered by the Confucius Institute for Scotland.
Read more...
11 September 2017 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow offers German language courses and exams for all levels. Courses for the autumn semester commence on 26 September 2017.
See their online brochure for full details and how to enrol.
Read more...
7 September 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française Glasgow is running a new 10-week Beginners 1 French course for Primary School teachers between October and December 2017.
This course is suitable for complete beginners.
- 20 hours of lessons over 10 weeks tailored to the needs of Primary School teachers: classroom and speaking activities, pronunciation, communication, increase your confidence and feel more comfortable speaking French.
- The course will take take place on Thursdays 3.45 - 5.45 pm between 5 October and 14 December 2017.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
7 September 2017 (SALT)
Offered by Smalltalk Languages, this course is aimed at nursery/primary staff who are currently introducing French/Spanish as part of their curriculum for excellence/1+2 languages programme or intend to do so. Suitable for both complete beginners and people with prior knowledge of the language, the main focus of the course will be on language learning and practical methodology.
On the day participants will look at language from the children’s perspective. They will be shown how to build both their own and the children’s confidence in language skills while learning the importance of adapting and manipulating language for maximum effect.
Visit the SALT website for available dates and locations.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
French,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Curriculum for Excellence,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
6 September 2017 (Education Scotland)
The latest edition of Education Scotland's Gaelic e-bulletin is now available.
Read more...
5 September 2017 (Goethe-Institut)
This year the Goethe Institute Glasgow is proud to launch a German Debating Competition for Higher and Advanced Higher secondary school students in Scotland.
Debating in German is an innovative method for language teaching and learning and is of major benefit to all students: participants can improve their language and communication skills and develop a higher motivation for further language learning.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to register by 30 September.
Read more...
31 August 2017 (Scottish Book Trust)
To celebrate the opening of the Queensferry Crossing, Scottish Book Trust are inviting writers to enter their 50-word fiction competition for September where a bridge must be incorporated in the story.
Entries in Scots and Gaelic are welcomed. Stories should be submitted by 30 September 2017.
Find out more on the Scottish Book Trust's website.
Read more...
30 August 2017 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has published a report on the impact on literacy of learning Scots. The report ‘Scots Language in Curriculum for Excellence: enhancing skills in literacy, developing successful learners and confident individuals’ is available on the National Improvement Hub.
Read more...
30 August 2017 (The Courier)
Alexander Yakovenko, the Russian ambassador to the UK, expressed his disappointment to Nicola Sturgeon over the Scottish Qualifications Authority dropping the language from the curriculum.
In a letter, which has been published under freedom of information laws, Mr Yakovenko called on Ms Sturgeon to intervene.
The correspondence also revealed the FM has declined invitations to official Russian functions in Edinburgh and London on four occasions since June 2016.
Mr Yakovenko, who was previously deputy minister of foreign affairs, said: “The cancellation of the exams seriously affected the resources available for cultural and business links, for people-to-people contacts and the personal development of individuals.”
He added: “I believe there may be ways for the Scottish Government to have the above decisions revisited, and I would hugely appreciate your attention to the matter.”
However, he did highlight Dundee Russian School for its valuable work in teaching children and adults the language, which is the fifth most prevalent in the world.
The First Minster left it to her deputy John Swinney to reply, which he did about two months after the original letter was sent in December 2016.
Mr Swinney, who is also Education Secretary, said: “The decision to remove courses was made entirely on practical grounds, reflecting difficulties in maintaining standards in subjects experiencing consistently low uptake.”
He added: “I would assure you that SQA’s decision bore no reflection on the relative merit or value of Russian language or literature – which are considerable.”
Mr Swinney said Scots could learn the language through modern languages for work purposes units and the Language for Life and Work Award.
Read more...
25 August 2017 (SQA)
Eight pieces of candidate evidence with commentaries for the new Assignment – writing component of the National 5 Modern Languages course for 2017-18 have been published on SQA’s Understanding Standards website. These contain examples in French, German and Spanish. Further examples in other languages will be published as soon as these are developed.
Read more...
24 August 2017 (British Council)
We offer many ways to help enhance learning and teaching in schools in Scotland. Raising attainment, building literacy and numeracy, and helping bridge the attainment gap are high on the schools agenda. An international dimension can be motivational for staff and learners, and has been shown to make a real difference in these priority areas.
Our professional development opportunities, curriculum resources and international linking programmes offer a range of exciting and innovative approaches to learning and raising attainment.
Our Bring the World into your School booklet details each of our programmes and shows how they have been developed to strengthen the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence. We also outline how international education can be used across Scotland to improve whole school performance.
Visit the website for more information about the Bring the World into your School initiative, the Learning for Sustainability programme, eTwinning, Erasmus+ funded projects and Language Assistants programme and how these can support and benefit Scottish schools.
Read more...
Posted in:
Scotland,
Citizenship,
CPD,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Cross-Sector Working,
Cultural Diversity,
International Education,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Teacher Education,
Twinning,
News from language & education organisations
International teacher mentoring conference for Hanban teachers across Scotland
24 August 2017 (CISS)
On Friday 10 November, CISS will be facilitating our international teacher mentoring conference for Hanban teachers across Scotland and their mentors in Scottish schools.
Please ensure that the teacher who is mentor attends the day with their mentee as we will have a range of speakers and workshop facilitators including SCEL, GTCS, Staff Development Strathclyde and ourselves. We would like to include other teachers who are interested in mentoring as well as our Hanban teacher mentors so please
contact CISS to register.
While it is essential the Hanban teacher mentor can attend, other interested teachers are welcome.
24 August 2017 (SCILT)
UCMLS, the professional organisation representing languages staff in Scottish universities, is again holding two sets of regional cross-sector meetings during 2017-18, with support from SCILT.
The first round of meetings will be during the week beginning 11 September 2017. We will present our planned events and initiatives for the coming session, including the new Languages Lost & Found events on 18 November.
Language teachers and staff in schools, colleges and universities are warmly invited to attend. For those who live too far to attend in person we are also offering the option of joining us on one of two virtual meetings via Skype.
Please register for your session choice by Friday 1 September 2017.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Cross-Sector Working,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news
18 August 2017 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse is pleased to launch this year's concours de la francophonie, a national school competition to encourage all young French learners and their teachers around Scotland to celebrate the international day of la francophonie.
All Scottish primary and secondary schools offering French may enter this competition by submitting a short video of a classroom activity in French.
Visit the Institut français website to find out more about the competition and how to enter by 19 December 2017.
Read more...
17 August 2017 (Scottish Government)
A Gaelic music, culture and heritage centre planned in South Uist has been awarded £1 million funding.
The £7 million Cnoc Soilleir project will receive the investment from the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Capital Plan and is expected to create around 40 jobs.
Cnoc Soilleir will support the growth of Ceòlas Uibhist community-led activity around Gaelic language learning, music and dance, as well as the Lews Castle College UHI music programmes. Additional creative industry courses will be provided to enable further growth in student numbers.
Established in 1996, Ceòlas Uibhist has grown from a week-long music and dance school to become one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic culture, heritage and arts organisations.
Read more...
15 August 2017 (RZSS)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Beyond the Panda programme has been further revised and contains some new materials, in particular the new P1-P3 panda boxes.
The programme now has two main parts:
- China Mobile Library - loan of the panda boxes followed by an expert visit
- Outreach workshops - Education Officer led workshops
See the attached brochure for full details of the Beyond the Panda programme.
There's also an opportunity for schools to book a Beyond the Panda special event at Edinburgh Zoo during 'The Giant Lanterns of China' installation between December 2017 and February 2018. The session will include whole class interactive activities and Mandarin language games. See more information and how to book on The Giant Lanterns of China brochure attached.
You can also visit the website for more information about the RZSS and its activities.
Read more...
15 August 2017 (SCILT/CISS/Braehead PS)
The children of Braehead Primary have been making languages come alive through a collaborative project with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) at Stirling Castle. This project saw P5 pupils working in groups on a number of different tasks. The end result was a virtual tour of Stirling Castle in Chinese, signage in Chinese, language training for castle tour guides and maps of the castle in Chinese. Learners' literacy skills benefited from the project, and their understanding about the world of work increased.
You can see the film in Chinese, set within the castle walls, on the school’s YouTube channel. The film will be entered for the British Film Festival awards in London in October.
The project had a positive impact on the wider school community. The school has recently launched a Chinese character challenge. This is a whole-school competition where one character a week is introduced on their interactive wall in the dining hall – highly visible to all. At the end of term, pupils and teachers will take part in a quiz based on these characters with Chinese-themed prizes up for the taking! Pupils continue to produce language podcasts in Chinese and other languages. The podcasts can be accessed via the
Braehead Primary Languages Café on the school’s website.
There are six classes at Braehead learning Chinese as L3 from P4 to P6. The P5s are the trailblazers and have been learning the language for nearly two years.
Read the full case study of the project for replicable ideas for your own school context to support partnership working and help your school deliver on Developing the Young Workforce.
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Posted in:
Primary,
Chinese,
Scotland,
Business,
Citizenship,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Learning for Work,
Language Skills,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
15 August 2017 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse is enrolling for their autumn classes commencing September 2017.
Classes and workshops are offered for all ages (toddlers to adults), from complete beginners to fluent speakers.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
Concours de la francophonie 2017 - final report
15 August 2017 (Institut français)
The Concours de la francophonie was launched in 2016 by the Institut français d'Ecosse to showcase the vitality of the French language in Scottish schools and to encourage all learners from P1 to S6.
To enter the competition schools sent in a short film of a class activity in French.
See the attached document for full details of the 2017 competition, winners and photographs.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
15 August 2017 (Theatre sans Accents)
Whether you want to perfect your French or your English, Theatre Sans Accents has the right workshop to suit your needs and your level!
No need to be fluent or an experienced actor, everyone is welcomed in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!
Bookings are now being taken for Autumn term classes, with early bird discounts available.
Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about classes for adults and children:
For children:
For adults:
You can find out more about Theatre sans Accents and their other activities on the website.
Read more...
14 August 2017 (Alliance Française)
French classes for adults and children will start at the Alliance Française in Glasgow on 11 September 2017.
Visit the website for full details and to find out about Open Days where you can visit, meet staff and have your language level assessed to establish the best course for you.
Read more...
11 August 2017 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow is offering workshops in August and September focusing on speaking and practising communication in authentic everyday situations. There are sessions available for Levels A1.2-A2.2 and B1/B2.
Visit the website for more information and to book.
Read more...
11 August 2017 (The Times)
A dedicated Gaelic school could open in Edinburgh to cope with rising pupil numbers and soaring demand.
Edinburgh city council expects there to be more pupils than places at James Gillespie’s High School, where Gaelic education is currently provided, as soon as 2021.
The number of new pupils starting this month at Taobh na Pàirce primary, Edinburgh’s only Gaelic primary school, has also been far higher than anticipated.
Read more...
9 August 2017 (The Herald)
THE number of pupils choosing key modern languages has fallen sharply.
Figures from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) show the number of entries for Higher French dropped from 4,581 in 2016 to 3,918 this year.
The figures for German have also fallen, with entries declining from 1,019 to 890 year-on-year.
However, the increasing popularity of Spanish has continued, with entries rising from 2,600 last year to 2,809.
Entries at the lower National 5 level for French and German have also fallen.
Read more...
9 August 2017 (Evening Times)
One student has defied the odds to become one of Glasgow’s top achievers while attending not one but three city schools.
Valentina Kanife moved to Glasgow from her home country of Italy in September 2015. When the 16-year-old joined the S4 class in St Margaret Mary’s in Castlemilk, she could not speak any English. Soon after starting the school, it became apparent that Valentina had a skill for languages and began working towards gaining her National 4’s.
Staff at St Margaret Mary’s staff organised for Valentina to attend Holyrood Secondary for Higher Italian and Kings Park Secondary for Higher ESOL, while being taught Higher Spanish and National 5 maths at her own school. With the help of a bus pass, the teenager travelled between the three schools, sometimes on the same day. After a year of handwork, Valentia managed to gain all three Highers and a National 5 Maths qualifications, all within two years of being in Glasgow.
Read more...
8 August 2017 (The Guardian)
The number of Scottish school pupils and students taking modern languages, social sciences and arts has fallen, prompting warnings from opposition parties over the dangers of a narrowing curriculum.
Official data showed the number of exam passes at Higher, a near equivalent to English A-levels, across Scotland’s schools and colleges held steady at 77%, falling very slightly by 0.2%.
But Labour and the Conservatives expressed concern that the Scottish curriculum was narrowing after the Scottish Qualifications Authority figures showed the numbers sitting modern languages at Higher fell by 6% overall, with history down by nearly 4% and geography by 2.6%.
Read more...
31 July 2017 (The Scotsman)
Scotland has seen a “worry-
ing” fall in the number of pupils studying languages, it has emerged.
There are now fears that the next generation will not be equipped to deal with the demands of the global
economy.
There has been a dramatic fall in the number of
youngsters sitting French and German, although more are learning Spanish.
Opposition parties called on the SNP to focus on the “day job” of running schools. But ministers insist there has been a rise in the number of pupils gaining languages qualification at Higher level.
There were more than 56,000 pupils taking modern languages at Standard Grade level a decade ago. By last year, under the new exam system, this had fallen to just over 23,000 – a 59 per cent decline.
Labour’s shadow education minister Daniel Johnson said: “Learning a foreign language is such a valuable skill for
Scotland’s next generation.
“Whether for travel, employment or just breaking down barriers between people from different countries, a new
language can open up the world to a young person.
“It is therefore incredibly worrying to see such a huge decline in the number of pupils sitting modern language courses. The SNP talks about connecting Scotland with the world, but that can only happen if people are equipped with the
languages they need. In the 21st century, the workforce is becoming more global and economic growth here in Scotland depends on interaction with our European neighbours.
“We need to reduce as many barriers to economic growth as possible, and these figures show how important it is for SNP ministers to get back to the day job of improving
standards in our schools.”
Read more...
21 July 2017 (Midlothian Advertiser)
It’s been a very busy time for Hawthornden Primary School.
Following their successful school show ‘Hairspray’, Hawthornden pupils have excelled themselves again by performing at the launch of the Confucius Primary Hub.
The audience was entertained by P7s performing a Dragon Dance, a Fan Dance and Looking for a Friend. P6s performed a colours song in Mandarin. P3 pupils, who attend Mandarin classes at the Children’s University at Queen Margaret, amazed everyone by reading and translating a Mandarin story. Chinese colleagues praised their accents and pronunciation.
S4 Lasswade High School pupils also performed a dance to show primary pupils how Mandarin can be continued in high school.
Read more...
1 July 2017 (The National)
Apprenticeships are to be delivered in Gaelic as part of measures to support the language.
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) plans to deliver existing Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships in Gaelic where there is a recognised need — with Health and Social Care and Childcare as well as the Creative Industries identified as areas of demand.
Other measures that are part of SDS’s new Gaelic Language Plan include: working with partners to develop resources including up-to-date Gaelic labour market information; using Gaelic staff resources to expand services in schools delivered through the medium of Gaelic; developing web resources; and promoting Gaelic careers.
Read more...
23 June 2017 (Evening Times)
Glasgow is being promoted as "the heart of Gaelic Scotland" as the city prepares to host the Royal National Mod.
Pupils from the city's schools launched the grand unveiling of a new logo for the event, which will be held in the city in 2019 and is a celebration of the ancient language in music and song.
It is the first time the Mod has been hosted in Glasgow in 29 years.
Read more...
SQA (23 June 2017)
The following documents will be available for all National 5 Modern Languages courses by the afternoon of Friday 23 June:
- Coursework assessment task - assignment (writing)
- Coursework assessment task - performance (talking)
- Course support notes
The course support notes will be added to the National 5 course specification as an appendix. The course specification will then be updated to version 2.0 and the date will change to June 2017, but there is no further change to the content of this document.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Teaching,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
Urdu
Coming soon: SCILT Associates
23 June 2017 (SCILT)
New for session 2017/18, SCILT is compiling a database of partners and stakeholders, including teachers from all sectors, who wish to become associate members of the SCILT team.
Throughout the year, we may contact our associates if we are planning either a project or piece of work where we require additional capacity, expertise or advice.
If you think you might like to work more closely with the team and help us enlarge the 'SCILT family', then please keep your eye on the bulletin at the start of the new session when we will be able to give further information and sign up details.
New approach to SCILT/CISS promotional events
23 June 2017 (SCILT/CISS)
SCILT and CISS are currently reviewing their strategy for promotional events. In order to ensure all schools have the opportunity to benefit from our involvement, we are now requesting that you complete an online application form. You will be asked to outline how a promotional event might support your uptake in the senior phase and what other measures you are putting in place to address the Attainment Agenda, National Improvement Framework and Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.
Please contact us at SCILT (
scilt@strath.ac.uk) in the first instance. An application form will be sent to you once finalised.
Chinese intensive courses
22 June 2017 (Heriot-Watt University)
The Scottish Confucius Institute for Business and Communication at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh is holding two Chinese summer courses in July.
Follow the appropriate link below to find out more about the course and to book your place:
- Intensive beginners 1 (10-14 July 2017) - for complete beginners with little or no knowledge of Chinese
- Intensive beginners 2 (17-22 July 2017) - for those who have either completed Intensive beginners 1 or have equivalent knowledge of the Chinese language
21 June 2017 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest Gaelic e-bulletin has just been issued and can be accessed online.
Read more...
19 June 2017 (Alliance Française)
There are still places available on the Summer Classes being run by the Alliance Française de Glasgow between June and September 2017. Classes are available for all levels.
Semi-Intensive Courses: enrol in a 4-week French programme suitable for complete beginners, or reinforce your language skills with revisions.
Intensive Courses: brush-up on your French with revisions over the course of 3 days.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
14 June 2017 (Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig)
Seven primary teachers from the Outer Hebrides are about to complete a pilot training course that will enable them to train colleagues in how to teach Gaelic to children in their class.
The programme has been specially constructed by training experts working for Gaelic educational resources organisation Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig as part of the company’s strategic approach to boost the teaching of Gaelic in English Medium Education. The training demonstrates how to make best use of the Go! Gaelic programme of resources, created by a team of language experts, designers and IT professionals at Stòrlann.
Read more...
13 June 2017 (SCILT)
Following a wide-ranging consultation with the profession earlier this academic session, our 1+2 FAQs for practitioners have been updated and uploaded to the SCILT website.
Sincere thanks go to all the primary and secondary teachers who took the time to participate in our survey.
If you have any further questions about the 1+2 Approach, please contact
scilt@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
Top tips for kids learning a foreign language in Glasgow
13 June 2017 (Glasgow Live)
It's no secret that Glaswegians, and Brits, are guilty of being reluctant to speak foreign languages.
However Glasgow City Council, along with many other local authorities, are under increasing pressure to make foreign language learning one of their top priorities in education - particularly at primary level.
And it appears they have good reason to do so.
Studies show that children who study a language from as young as three years old possess better critical thinking skills and score higher in maths and problem solving.
It can also reduce the risk of developing Alzheimers in later years.
Of course, leaning a language takes time and dedication.
But according to Rose McGinty, principal teacher at Glasgow's first Spanish immersion camp for children, Oso Spanish, there are plenty of ways to make language learning effective and great fun.
11 June 2017 (Preston Street Primary)
Thursday the 8th June was an important date for P6 and not because Theresa May decided to have her snap election that day. P6 at Preston Street Primary managed to secure themselves an opportunity to attend a South American Spanish Day event at Edinburgh Zoo.
To start the day off P6 had a short introduction via a video from Dr. Arnaud Desbiez who manages the RZSS South American projects. This was followed by Sandie Robb explaining a new initiative ‘Science in the Language Class’ which links to RZSS conservation projects to language learning. This led into a fun quiz which covered facts about some South American animals and included Spanish questions on numbers, colours and parts of the body. Afterwards, a gentleman by the name of Xabier San Isidro told us his story of how his love for languages shaped his life.
Read more...
8 June 2017 (Open University)
The Open University's Young Applicants in Schools Scheme (YASS) gives S6 students in Scotland the unique opportunity to study a range of university level modules in school alongside their other studies.
YASS is designed to bridge the gap between school and university, college or employment and helps motivated students stand out from the crowd. It encourages independent learning and builds confidence. Key skills like time management and accessing electronic resources are developed.
Registration for YASS modules is organised through the school, although students deal directly with The OU when it comes to their course work and assessment.
See the webpage for an overview of the
language modules which can be studied.
Visit the Open University website or contact
Sylvia Warnecke for more information about the YASS scheme and to enrol.
Read more...
7 June 2017 (Education Scotland)
Congratulations to all the winners in this year's Scottish Education Awards, particularly those schools who came top in the language categories:
- St Winning's Primary School, North Ayrshire Council (Making Languages Come Alive)
- Ardnamurchan High School, The Highland Council (Gaelic Education Award)
Visit the website for information and photos of all the category winners.
Read more...
6 June 2017 (Spectrum Sino)
Recently-launched efforts to teach Mandarin in Scottish schools have been hailed for the interest they have created amongst children to learn more about Chinese culture, history and language.
Schools across the country have celebrated the opening of their Confucius classroom hubs.
Read more...
Celebrating BLC success!
2 June 2017 (CISS)
Pupils from Lasswade High School were presented with certificates and a badge each on Wednesday 31 May for completing an app which they designed for young Chinese visitors to Edinburgh Castle.
The S3 pupils had researched Edinburgh Castle, making a visit before and after designing the trail (the latter visit to test it). With the support of the app company, 'Global Treasure Apps', they created a trail for young speakers of Chinese who might visit the castle. This is an age group the castle want to attract to the premises more effectively; moreover, the number of tourists from China is increasing all the time. After London, Edinburgh Castle is the second favourite spot for Chinese visitors to the UK.
The S3 pupils worked in teams and the winning team all received a phone charger from the app company.
The pupils will build on their success and most will continue with Mandarin into S4.
This is a good example of a Business Language Champions (BLC) project impacting on uptake in the Senior Phase: working together with outside partners such as Historic Environment Scotland, the app company and CISS.
Visit the
BLC pages of our website for more information about the scheme and to find out how schools and businesses can get involved.
1 June 2017 (Goethe-Institut)
Adult certificate exams at the Goethe-Institut Glasgow are taking place in June.
Please register by 6 June 2017.
Visit the website for details of available levels and dates and to apply.
Read more...
31 May 2017 (EIFF)
The programme for this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) taking place from 21 June to 2 July 2017 has just been published.
The event will showcase films from 46 countries so there are plenty of opportunities to test your language skills!
For more information about what's on offer, visit the EIFF website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Cultural Diversity,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
30 May 2017 (Institut français)
During August the Institut français in Edinburgh is running adults classes for all levels and aims. Whether you are looking to brush up your French over the summer or for some intensive classes, there's something for you.
This year a new intensive course is being launched which might be of particular interest for teachers. This 15 hour course will take place over three days from 8 to 10 August. GTCS registered teachers benefit from a concession fee.
All enrolments before July 11 can benefit from an 'early bird' rate.
See the
summer programme for details.
Further information about the Institut français and their full range of activities can be found on their website.
Read more...
30 May 2017 (Institut français)
The Institut français is offering a series of 4 workshops from September to December 2017 to help S5 and S6 students preparing for their exam.
Visit the Institut français website for further details and to apply by 23 June.
Read more...
1+2 National Events for Principal Teachers of languages and colleagues i/c timetabling : June 2017
30 May 2017 (Education Scotland/SCILT/ADES/GTCS)
These events will focus on 1+2 in the secondary sector and feature inputs from ADES, ES, GTCS, SCILT and a representative from a local business. Purpose of the day:
- 1+2 – overview of current developments
- sharing practice across authorities re implementation in secondary
- transitions between primary and secondary
- examining the place of languages in BGE and Senior Phase in secondary schools
Scottish Ministers have a clear message to all stakeholders: that learning languages is a normal part of the curriculum from P1 onwards. These regional 1+2 events for the secondary sector are part of the Strategic Implementation Group’s priority to focus on curriculum such that there is clear and effective design which ensures progress through primary and secondary schooling, and on Career Long Professional Learning to ensure practitioners are equipped, enabled and empowered to deliver high quality language learning in primary and secondary schools. Given the significance of the 1+2 policy for secondary modern languages departments, it is important that all schools are represented at these regional events. Your LA languages contact (usually DO/QIO) will have alerted you to the event for your region, however if you have not yet received the invitation to attend your local event (two invitees per school – PT languages, plus timetabler- usually a DHT) please contact
EDSCFE@EducationScotland.gsi.gov.ukYour regional event will take place as per the schedule below:
| Date | Event Location | Authorities involved |
| Tuesday 20 June | Stirling | Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire |
| Wednesday 21 June | Coatbridge | North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian |
Venue details, timings and a programme for the day will be emailed to you when you register for the event.
24 May 2017 (CISS)
The Spring 2017 CISS newsletter has now been published online. It is a great showcase of all the fabulous work being done across Scotland to promote Chinese language and culture.
You can view and download the newsletter on the CISS website.
Read more...
18 May 2017 (The Scotsman)
Produced by Edinburgh map company Bartholomew’s, the map contains information distilled from the first census, in 1881, that counted Gaelic speakers in Scotland.
The article follows the trend of Gaelic speakers in Scotland thereafter and includes links to Gaelic phrases for beginners.
Read more...
11 May 2017 (CISS)
The CISS 2016-17 professional learning menu
'Making Chinese work for you' has been updated to include two new cross-sector workshops:
- Parent/carer engagement with the learning of Mandarin
- Coaching and mentoring for your Hanban teacher/volunteer
Visit the Professional Learning page of the CISS website to find out more and to arrange a learning event.
Read more...
9 May 2017 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China)
On 4 May, Consul General Pan Xinchun paid a visit to Fettes College where he delivered a speech to the students and had a cordial meeting with the headmaster Michael Spens.
In his speech, Mr. Pan spoke highly of the Fettes College for its outstanding achievements in education. He indicated that well-educated students with global vision need knowledge about China. As the second largest economy, China has made huge contributions to the global development. He introduced the close links between China and Scotland by giving examples of people's daily life. Mr. Pan said, the demand in other countries for Mandarin speakers is increasing as China's cooperation with the rest of the world is deepening with a growing number of people learning Chinese language and culture. In Scotland alone, nearly 30,000 students from primary and secondary schools are learning. He encouraged the students to work hard and gain more understanding about China so as to build a bridge of friendship and cooperation between China and Scotland.
Read more...
5 May 2017 (SCILT)
We're pleased to announce the SCILT website has been updated and details of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition award celebration held at the SEC, Glasgow in March are now available.
Here you can see photos of our winning performers, read the anthology of winning entries, access press articles and see feedback from pupils, teachers and parents.
Read more...
Posted in:
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Minority Languages,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
4 May 2017 (DNG24)
Resident Fiona Stewart, who is herself deaf, will lead the four sessions, starting on the evening of Wednesday May 17 and also running the 24 and 31 and June 7.
It comes after she hosted a successful initial introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) course earlier this year, attended by 50 people.
It was initiated by Catherine Jackson, whose children wanted to learn BSL.
She said: “The class was so popular that we ended up running two groups, both over four sessions. And there’s still a waiting list and requests for us to run more.”
Read more...
4 May 2017 (SQA)
SQA has just published the revised National 5 Course Specification.
This document contains important information about the changes to the Performance of Talking and the new Assignment-Writing.
The document can be accessed on the SQA website.
Read more...
2 May 2017 (Scottish Education Awards)
Good luck to the Scottish Education Award finalists in the language categories!
Making languages come alive (primary)
- Braehead Primary School, Stirling
- Doune Primary School, Stirling
- St Winning's Primary School, North Ayrshire
Gaelic Education Award / Duais Foghlam Gàidhlig
- Ardnamurchan High School, Highland
- Sgoil an Taobh Siar, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Gartcosh Primary School, North Lanarkshire
The award presentations will take place on 7 June. For more information about the awards visit the Scottish Education Awards 2017 website.
Read more...
28 April 2017 (TES)
Thousands of children in Scotland who have English as an additional language are missing out on the funding and support they need, warns one charity chief.
Recent figures speak of more than 1 million English as an additional language (EAL) pupils in mainstream UK education today. For Scotland alone, the 2016 Census mentions 39,000. These figures are so considerable that it’s hard to understand why education authorities in Scotland, England and Wales do not acknowledge the presence of children and young people who require English language support.
There is no government ring-fenced budget for EAL; neither are there clear recommendations for using available funds. In fact, there is much confusion surrounding EAL. This has to be addressed before more pupils leave school feeling that they have underachieved due to language issues.
Problems start the moment schools have to identify who is and isn’t EAL. Since September 2016, the Department for Education has expected all schools in England and Wales to assess the language development of all children identified as EAL. This was a great step forward – only the DfE has not yet provided a clear, uniform EAL assessment framework that schools can use.
An experienced language teacher can assess a child’s level of English after conducting an oral interview and doing some writing exercises, but not every school has such a teacher. A positive development is that the Cambridge-based Bell Foundation has commissioned a research and development team at King’s College, London to prepare an EAL assessment toolkit, which recently became available on its website. It will take some time and effort to learn how to use the kit, but it’s a very comprehensive assessment.
For Scotland, the situation is quite different. The government does not ask for a level assessment for EAL; in fact, EAL departments confirm that schools do not have to identify EAL pupils. Instead, it is left to the parents to say if their child speaks English as an additional language.
Each parent of a schoolchild in Scotland is given a form to complete, which asks the ethnic group of the child and which language is his or her mother tongue.
This can lead to confusion, as parents will state that the child’s first language is, for example, Polish if the child uses this language at home and spoke it first as a baby; however, this child may also be fully proficient in English and not require any support at all.
On the other hand, a parent may state that their child’s first language is English, implying that the child is fluent – but that parent may be misjudging the child’s competency.
Read more...
27 April 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is holding a number of classes/exams during summer 2017. Follow the appropriate link below to find out more information:
To find out more about the Alliance Française, visit their website.
Read more...
25 April 2017 (SCILT)
A series of five successful Business Brunch events organised by SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages in partnership with the University Council for Modern Languages Scotland took place this year where 535 learners from S3-S6 were given the opportunity to hear from a wide range of exciting business leaders who view language skills as key to the growth and success of their company.
The events demonstrated the relevance of language skills in a work context and aimed to encourage pupils to continue with their language studies into the senior phase of their secondary education, and beyond school.
Find out more about the events on our new Business Brunch 2017 webpage.
Read more...
Posted in:
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Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Business,
Careers,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Learning for Work,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
25 April 2017 (SCILT / UCMLS)
Following our final consultation with stakeholders at the national UCMLS conference in Glasgow on 10 March 2017 we have produced our cross-sector Action Plan in support of Scotland's 1+2 language policy, and it is now available online. Click below for more details but please REFRESH THE PAGE to get the latest version of the webpage!
Marion Spöring, UCMLS chair.
Read more...
Posted in:
FE,
HE,
All Languages,
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Cross-Sector Working,
Language Learning,
Language Policy,
Language Teaching,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations
25 April 2017 (Fife Today)
Bookbug – a free story, song and rhyme session for babies, toddlers, pre-school children and their families is set to launch Fife’s debut British Sign Language friendly group at Kirkcaldy Libraries next month.
All deaf parents with hearing children, hearing parents with deaf children and deaf parents with deaf children are invited to book a place.
Depending on uptake, the hope is to continue these specialised sessions on a monthly basis.
The event, on May 15 at 10.30am, is part of Bookbug Week 2017, which takes place between May 15-21 in celebration of ‘Bookbug’s Big Giggle’. This fun and playful theme will inspire children and adults alike to feel good by sharing songs and rhymes.
Read more...
25 April 2017 (Heriot-Watt University)
This course, being run by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, is ideal for anyone fluent in a language but with no interpreting techniques.
As a speaker of a second language, do you find yourself in situations at work where you have to act as an interpreter but have had no formal training? Then this course is for you!
Are you a language student considering a career as an interpreter? Come and join us for a taster course and find out what it means to be an interpreter.
The course will run from 3-7 July 2017 in the university's state of the art interpreting facilities.
Visit the website for more information and book your place by 19 June.
Read more...
24 April 2017 (Alliance Française)
This year’s film collaboration between the Goethe Institut and the Alliance Française will stand under the heading of comedy.
Though the sense of humor varies according to national history and culture, it still manages to reach people regardless of age, gender, race and across country borders.
Visit the Alliance Française website to find out more about the 4 films being screened during May and June at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow.
The events are free, but registration is essential.
Read more...
21 April 2017 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
A public consultation process has been launched for the third National Gaelic Language Plan, 2017-2022. The plan sets out a strategy designed to grow the numbers learning and using Gaelic in Scotland.
The consultation period will close at 5pm on 17 May 2017.
Visit the Bòrd na Gàidhlig web survey to access the plan and take part in the consultation.
Read more...
Photo exhibition workshops for primary schools: “Objectif sport”
20 April 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow is organising educational workshops around sport and the French language in May and June. Through games and activities in French, pupils will learn about sport, sporting events and the values attached to them.
The workshops are designed for primary school pupils and their teachers (P3/P6) who visit the photo exhibition and are free of charge.
See the attached flyer for more information and booking instructions.
Biscuits galore!
20 April 2017 (CISS)
For some S2 pupils from Elgin Academy, the term began with a busy and exciting visit to Walkers Shortbread HQ in Aberlour, Moray.
The pupils have been studying Mandarin since January with the support of the Hanban teacher Sufang Wang and under the guidance of Jerome Lestienne, PT of Modern Languages. The pupils presented to members of the International team from Walkers and the HR team. The presentations reflected what they had learnt so far, which included simple greetings, some numbers (and how to express numbers with hand gestures) and explanations of what is peculiar to the Chinese language such as learning tones, characters, etc.
The presentations also incorporated advice on effective “dos and don’ts” of Chinese Business Etiquette. These were well received by the International Team, who later explained they are increasingly doing business with China. It is now one of the top ten countries with whom they deal and in the near future will be opening an office in Shanghai.
Pupils were judged on presentation skills, clarity of delivery, content, structure and language skills. (The latter were judged by members from CISS and the Hanban teacher.) The winning group were generously rewarded with a prize and all pupils left with a goodie bag.
Pupils were asked questions by the team regarding how they found learning Chinese. They replied they had found it interesting and were grateful to have the chance to learn some Chinese whilst at school.
The Director of the International Team thanked them for the useful and stimulating presentations. He highlighted the fact that future employees with such knowledge would be most welcome for the company to employ.
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Chinese,
Scotland,
Business,
Careers,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Language Learning for Work,
Language Skills,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
CISS news
The 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme
20 April 2017 (SCILT)
Summer School is on! The national leadership programme formerly known as Train the Trainer has undergone an extensive review over the last year.
Under its new name,
The 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme, this flagship national leadership programme will be open for registration from Monday. Invitations will go out to local authority representatives and teacher education institutions. The programme has Professional Recognition accreditation from GTCS and is completely free of charge for educators in the public sector. Beginning with a Summer School which will take place from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th July 2017 at the University of Strathclyde’s city centre campus in Glasgow.
Hosted by SCILT and Education Scotland,
The 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme is aimed at those who have, or aspire to have, a responsibility for leading languages and developing colleagues’ capacity to deliver the 1+2 approach to languages.
The revised programme features inputs from a wide variety of speakers with an extensive range of expertise in teaching and leading languages. The inclusion of parallel sessions offers choice to participants, and the content is a balance of theory, policy and practice around language learning and teaching, leadership, personal reflection and professional evaluation.
The themes of this updated Summer School are:
- 1+2 languages: the national picture and the position of languages in the National Improvement Framework and the Scottish Attainment Challenge
- Strategic leadership in languages: planning and evaluation
- Progression in language learning
- Parental and wider engagement in language learning
- Raising attainment: practical ways to develop literacy skills across languages
- L3 – existing models, diversity of languages
- Inclusive practice in languages
- Supporting bilingual learners
Interested in participating in
The 1+2 Languages Leadership Programme? Contact your local authority QIO.
18 April 2017 (Education Scotland)
The latest edition of Education Scotland's Modern Languages newsletter is now available.
Read more...
12 April 2017 (Press and Journal)
The Polish ambassador has called for his country’s language to be taught in Scottish schools.
Arkady Rzegocki said he had raised the issue with ministers since taking up his post last year.
He also told the Press and Journal that schools in Poland have “much more knowledge” about Britain and Scotland than their counterparts here.
Mr Rzegocki, who visited Scotland two weeks ago, said: “From my perspective it’s a really great opportunity and great chance because we need more information about Poland and about central Europe generally in British schools, in Scottish schools.
“And also the Polish language should be learned as a foreign language.”
He added: “This lack of knowledge is a real barrier from my perspective, a real barrier to better economical cooperation.
“It’s fair to say we have much, much more knowledge about Britain, about Scotland in Polish schools, in Poland, so we have to make it more equal.”
He also said he is trying to encourage more Polish people to visit Scotland and vice versa.
And he highlighted Polish Heritage Day next month, which he described as an opportunity for British and Polish people to learn more about each other’s history and customs.
Read more...
12 April 2017 (Daily Record)
St Joseph’s Primary School in Blantyre embraced the Scottish Government’s approach to modern languages learning by celebrating the language and culture of Spain last week.
During a dedicated Spanish week of events aimed at developing learners’ use of the Spanish language pupils learned about the Spanish culture and Spanish-speaking countries worldwide.
Learners participated in a range of stimulating experiences and opportunities which supported them in their journey towards Global Citizenship by enabling them to deepen and extend their knowledge and understanding of Spanish cities, food, music, dance, architecture, sport, famous people, festivals, film and media.
Read more...
7 April 2017 (Ceòlas)
Ceòlas will be running teacher training courses again this year, in July during the Summer School (2--7/7; Dalabrog) and the symposium (23-27/7; Ìochdar).
Six different levels will run, making this course suitable for teachers who are beginners up to fluent who wish to learn Gaelic as it is used within the community. Teachers really enjoy this course, many of whom have not 'experienced' a Gaelic community before.
See the attached flyer or visit the website for more information.
Read more...
2 April 2017 (Ross-shire Journal)
Dingwall Academy’s leadership in promoting British Sign Language (BSL) has been applauded by the Scottish Parliament – after the school was highly praised by Strathpeffer-based MSP, Maree Todd.
She used the recent debate on the consultation on the Draft BSL National Plan to highlight the initiative of Dingwall Academy’s unit. During her speech, she used BSL to welcome former Dingwall Academy pupil, Caitlin Bogan, who was watching the debate from the viewing gallery.
The MSP later said: “We should all be proud of what is being done in the Highlands. Dingwall Academy is one of the few schools to deliver a BSL unit – all students in first year, including my son Gregor this year, take BSL classes as a taster along with other languages, including French, Gaelic and German.
Read more...
31 March 2017 (SQA)
The SQA is running a series of subject-specific continuing professional development (CPD) webinars to help you prepare for the revised National 5 course assessments that are being introduced in session 2017-18. The Modern Languages webinars will take place on Thursday 20 April, Monday 24 April and Thursday 4 May, and will focus on the requirements of the revised assessments.
Further details of the webinars are provided on the SQA's
NQ events page. Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note also that the content of Modern Languages webinars is the same, and colleagues need only attend one of the three scheduled.
For those unable to secure a place, recordings of the webinars will be published on the SQA website within six weeks of the webinar date. This will be accompanied by a transcript of any questions and answers discussed during the webinars.
Details of published webinars will be provided in SQA Centre News over the coming months.
Read more...
Sessional workers for Club Soletes-Familias
28 March 2017 (Club Soletes-Familias)
Club Soletes is a registered charity based in Glasgow, which has been supporting Spanish-speaking families in Glasgow since 2003. Our weekly family group aims to offer a Spanish-speaking environment, to learn and share knowledge and understanding of the Hispanic cultures, and encourage the use of the minority language (Spanish). Since September 2016, our Big Lottery funded mobile library project - La Biciteca - has been travelling around Early Years establishments, parks and public spaces in North West Glasgow offering storytelling and play sessions in Spanish to both our members and the wider community.
We are currently seeking sessional workers to assist in delivering our activities, as and when required.
See the attached document and application form for further information.
Apply by Friday 14 April 2017.
27 March 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française has a number of upcoming opportunities for French language learners in Glasgow. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
- Spring Break Revision Classes April 2017 (3-7 April) - preparation courses for pupils sitting Nat 5, Higher and Advanced Higher French this year and University students due to sit exams later this year.
- Easter workshop for primary school pupils (3-7 April) - children will learn about French language and culture through fun Easter-themed activities.
- Term D adult courses now enrolling - classes available at all levels from Beginner to Advanced, along with specialised courses such as Conversation, Current Affairs, Grammar and Phonetics. New term commences 18 April 2017.
- New adult classes - Beginners, Lunchtime Conversation Class, Phonetics Class, Grammar Class commencing from 18 April 2017.
For further information about the Alliance Française and their full range of activities, visit their website.
Read more...
27 March 2017 (Edinburgh Evening News)
They already love manga, Pokemon and Nintendo and now schoolchildren in the Capital have been given the chance to learn about the language behind some of their favourite pastimes.
Liberton Primary School has become a language trailblazer thanks to a new scheme designed to introduce youngsters to Japanese from an early age.
The Japanese for Young Learners project has seen two P5 classes give the language a go, as well as learning about the history and culture of the far eastern country.
While Liberton already teaches a number of other languages – such as French, German, Spanish and Mandarin – it is the first Edinburgh primary school in many years to add Japanese to its offering.
Read more...
24 March 2017 (SCILT)
The multilingual talents of budding young poets from across Scotland were celebrated at a prestigious award ceremony in Glasgow. Jackie Kay, Scotland's Makar, presented the prizes.
Primary and secondary students from Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Stirling and West Lothian used their language skills to create and share poetry for this year’s Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition. Winners received their prizes on the main Piazza stage at the SEC Glasgow on Saturday 11 March 2017 as part of the wider Languages Show Live Scotland event. Their work is published in an anthology.
Mother Tongue Other Tongue is an exciting project which celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing and showcases the many languages which are used by children and young people across Scotland, in school and at home. The competition is organised by SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, based at University of Strathclyde. Jackie Kay is the patron of the competition.
One teacher said of the event: “Taking part in the Mother Tongue Other Tongue poetry competition was a very worthwhile endeavour. Pupils really enjoyed creating poems in another language and interesting language based discussions were generated. The emphasis on celebrating all languages from across the globe was a great message to share with pupils and they especially enjoyed mixing their own language with the languages they are learning at school. We will definitely be taking part again next year.”
Whilst one of the pupils summed up their feelings: “I feel happy, proud and special.”
Fhiona Mackay, Director of SCILT, says: “Mother Tongue Other Tongue is a celebration of the many languages that are spoken and learned by children and young people across Scotland. The collection of their poems weaves a rich tapestry of voices that honours cultural diversity and pays testament to the wealth of Scotland’s many languages and cultures. We were delighted to see such a high calibre of entries this year, submitted in 35 different languages. Our congratulations go to the winners and to all who took part in the competition.”
Mother Tongue invites children who do not speak English as a first language to write a poem, rap or song in their mother tongue and share their inspiration. Other Tongue encourages children learning another language in school to use that language creatively with an original poem, rap or song in that other tongue. Prizes are awarded in both categories.
Mother Tongue Other Tongue supports the Scottish Government initiative, ‘Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach’ by allowing pupils to apply their language learning in a creative way. The competition provides children who do not have English as their first language an opportunity to celebrate their mother tongue.
The targets laid out in the Scottish Attainment Challenge are about achieving equity in educational outcomes, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. One of the key drivers is improved literacy. Through reflecting on poetry in their mother tongue and creating poetry in another tongue, learners are developing their literacy skills.
Mother Tongue Other Tongue is supported by the University Council for Modern Languages Scotland, creative writer Juliette Lee and the Scottish Poetry Library.
Details of the winners and the anthology are published on the SCILT website.
Read more...
Posted in:
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All Languages,
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Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
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Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
23 March 2017 (Education Scotland)
The Benchmarks in modern languages provide clarity on the national standards expected from first to fourth curricular level.
They draw together and streamline a wide range of previous assessment guidance (including significant aspects of learning, progression frameworks and annotated exemplars) into one key resource to support teachers’ and other practitioners’ professional judgement of children’s and young people’s progress.
The Benchmarks will also support consistency in teachers’ professional judgements and will help teachers to ensure that young people achieve the pace of progress they need right across the Broad General Education.
The
Benchmarks can be accessed on Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub along with
Benchmarks exemplification to support practitioners to use the Benchmarks.
Read more...
23 March 2017 (SCILT)
We have summarised the Course Reports for National 5 Modern Languages and Gàidhlig. These reports highlight areas where candidates performed well in the 2016 exam and areas where they encountered difficulty.
They contain sound advice for both teachers and pupils in the run up to this year's exam diet.
The full report for each language can be accessed on the
SQA website under the Verification and Course Reports tab.
The summary reports are attached below and can also be found on the Senior Phase, Essentials for Planning page on the SCILT website under the SQA Qualifications tab.
Read more...
20 March 2017 (SALT)
The BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education recently received validation from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and accreditation from the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS ) and the first cohort of students will begin the course in September.
The course will be part of Sabhal Mòr’s degree pathway and will be taught through the medium of Gaelic and will focus on immersion and bilingual teaching practices in schools. This is the first time that SMO has taken the lead role in delivering a teacher training degree, and the course is designed for either secondary teaching (Gaelic as a subject) or Gaelic-medium primary teaching.
Previously SMO had delivered teacher training in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, but with the new course the College is now a lead provider of Gaelic teacher training giving students a unique opportunity to learn in a Gaelic-rich environment. Students can complete the BA (Hons) Gaelic and Education through SMO or Lews Castle College, and the course can be undertaken via distance learning or on campus.
Read more...
20 March 2017 (The Southern Reporter)
Galashiels Academy played host to the annual Eildon West Primary Schools Celebration of Scots Language and Culture, held on Friday, March 3.
All primary schools, from Tweedbank to Heriot, were represented. Medals, presented by Alistair Christie, vice-president of the Galashiels Burns Club, were awarded for Scots writing and recitation of Scots poetry.
Read more...
17 March 2017 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's March e-bulletin for Gaelic education is now available online.
Read more...
16 March 2017 (SCILT)
We have summarised the Course Reports for Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Languages and Gàidhlig. These reports highlight areas where candidates performed well in the 2016 exam and areas where they encountered difficulty.
They contain sound advice for both teachers and pupils in the run up to this year's exam diet.
The full report for each language can be accessed on the
SQA website under the Verification and Course Reports tab.
The summary reports are attached below and can also be found on the Senior Phase, Essentials for Planning page on the SCILT website under the SQA Qualifications tab.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
National Qualifications,
SCILT news,
SQA,
Urdu
Language Show Live Scotland 2017
14 March 2017 (SCILT)
Thank you to everyone who came to see us at Language Show Live Scotland at the SEC last weekend! It was a fabulous event and great to meet so many teachers, pupils and language professionals and to find out how we can help support you all in learning, teaching and promoting languages. If you left an enquiry with us, we’re currently working our way through these and you should have a response within the next week or two, if you haven’t had one already.
We were so proud of our Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry winners who came along to the event and recited their poems for us on Saturday morning. Thank you so much to the teachers who took this initiative forward in school and of course to all the pupils who took part. We will be uploading the winners’ anthology and photos from the event to the website in due course, so keep watching
the bulletin for updates on this.
If you didn’t make it along, our PDO Lynne Jones provides a flavour of the show in this video:
14 March 2017 (The Herald)
Teachers have warned an ambitious strategy to expand language learning in Scottish primary schools lacks direction.
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) teaching union said training for school staff was variable and had led to lower confidence levels in some areas.
The criticism centres on the Scottish Government’s flagship 1+2 languages policy under which primary pupils are to be taught at least two modern languages in addition to their mother tongue, starting in the first year of schooling and adding a second foreign language no later than P5.
The government has argued primaries should incorporate as large a pool of languages as possible, including Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu and Polish.
However, critics say schools and teacher training universities need a much smaller group of languages to focus on to ensure continuity of study and expertise among staff.
In a letter to councils, Andrea Bradley, EIS assistant secretary for education, said information from primary teachers had identified training that was not of a consistently appropriate standard.
She said members had highlighted a “lack of direction” as to which languages would be taught at which stage as well as “variable quality of teachers’ experience of training course delivery”.
She also said there was “inconsistency” in the duration of training courses and therefore inconsistency in “outcomes for our members in terms of their levels of confidence to teach foreign languages”.
She added: “The EIS therefore calls upon all local authorities to work with Scottish Government to address the issues that are raised here, with a view to ensuring coherence of approach and adequate resourcing in order that the worthy aims of the policy can be met.”
The concerns were echoed by Gillian Campbell-Thow, chairwoman of the Scottish Association for Language Teaching.
Read more...
Related Links
SALT's response to EIS (SALT, 15 March 2017)
Posted in:
Primary,
All Languages,
Scotland,
1+2,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Policy,
Language Teaching,
Scottish Government,
Teacher Education,
Languages in the press
11 March 2017 (SALT)
There are four categories in this years competition: Primary & BGE, National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher.
The theme is I love Languages Because and students can submit their entries in any format (PowerPoint, poster, song, poem, etc).
Visit the SALT website for further information and to submit entries by 26 May 2017.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
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10 March 2017 (Daily Record)
A school in Perth has been hailed for keeping Polish children and those with connections to the eastern European community in touch with their history and culture.
The Perth Polish Saturday School celebrated its 10th anniversary and a special ‘Jubilee’ reception was held at North Inch Community Campus on March 4.
On Saturdays the school based at St John’s Academy teaches Polish history, geography, culture and language from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Many children from Polish families have been born in the Fair City and the school provides them with a link to their family’s origins.
They learn nursery rhymes, songs and poems which keep their culture alive, as well as mastering the notoriously difficult Polish spellings and grammar.
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9 March 2017 (Renfrewshire 24)
Six bilingual pupils from Renfrewshire have scooped up awards at a national poetry competition for their creative writing talents.
Of the 14 awards up for grabs through the ‘Mother Tongue Other Tongue’ competition run by SCILT – Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, six were awarded to pupils from St John Ogilvie Primary School, St James Primary School and Castlehead High School, who had written poetry in their native tongue in order to share their “other voices”.
Renfrewshire EAL (English as an additional language) teachers helped support bilingual pupils to create a collection of poems written in languages such as; Polish, Hungarian, Chinese, Punjabi, Catalan, Arabic, Greek, Filipino, Korean and Dutch.
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9 March 2017 (SCEN)
At the meeting of Confucius Institute Directors last year, we all decided that it would be a great help if we shared information about the teaching and learning of Mandarin at all levels in Scotland. We want to map all the opportunities to learn Chinese accurately, and to share it with everyone to help with productive links between schools, colleges, universities and businesses.
We would like to invite primary and secondary school teachers to complete our online survey to help gather this data.
Visit the SCEN website for the survey link. Please complete by 31 March 2017.
Read more...
6 March 2017 (Dumbarton Reporter)
Pupils from Dumbarton Academy had the opportunity to learn the language of business at a recent school event.
Third year students heard from a range of local business leaders who view language skills as key to the growth and success of their company.
The event demonstrated the relevance of these skills in a work context and aimed to encourage pupils to continue with their language studies into the senior phase of their secondary education, and beyond school.
Cara Brown, subject leader for Modern Languages at Dumbarton Academy, said: “The event was a success, emphasised by the positive feedback given by pupils. The presentations delivered by the range of speakers were well received by everyone involved and really engaged the learners who discovered the value of language skills for employment and for life beyond school.”
One of the pupils added: “I enjoyed hearing different peoples’ stories and learning about what they had been able to do through learning another language. I was surprised to find out how many ways languages can be useful.”
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3 March 2017 (Language Show Live)
Language Show Live, 10-11 March at the SEC, Glasgow.
Europe’s largest event dedicated to language teaching and learning is just 1 week away and new performances are still being announced every day, with salsa classes and an additional Gaelic introduction class added today! Every seminar at this free-to-attend event is fully CPD accredited and packed full of exclusive content. Head online today to
claim your free ticket and enjoy all the content that Europe’s premier language event has to offer.
Remember: Alongside our trademark seminar, workshop and panel session line ups we also have our fantastic cultural piazza stage, free language taster classes, over 80 exhibitor and much, much more! Take advantage of our pre-show discount on our Language Plus Classes too. These two hour intensive classes are the only thing at the event that we charge for as we bring in some of the world’s top teachers and charge just £18 for the full two hours. Don’t miss out!
Visit the Language Show Live website today!
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3 March 2017 (Institut français)
The French Zone is happy to welcome you to Stand 208 at Language Show Live, 10-11 March 2017, and to offer you a variety of French resources from the Institut français and other key actors of French teaching and learning.
Visit the Institut français website for more information.
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2 March 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française has a number of upcoming opportunities for French language learners in Glasgow. Follow the relevant link below for more information:
- Spring Break Revision Classes April 2017 (3-7 April) - preparation courses for pupils sitting Nat 5, Higher and Advanced Higher French this year.
- Easter workshop for primary school pupils (3-7 April) - children will learn about French language and culture through fun Easter-themed activities.
- Screening of 2 documentary films with directors in attendance. The first one is on gender inequality and could be of interest to Advanced Higher pupils, the second gives a good insight into one of the most famous newspapers in France:
To find out more about the Alliance Française and all their activities, visit their website.
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1 March 2017 (Scottish Government)
This consultation on the Draft British Sign Language (BSL) National Plan seeks to gather your views about the proposed actions. The plan has been produced in collaboration with the BSL National Advisory Group.
The consultation is open from 1 March to 31 May 2017.
Read more...
24 February 2017 (Language Show Live)
There's still time to get your tickets for this year's Language Show Live Scotland event at the SEC, Glasgow!
The event, dedicated to language teaching and learning, is just a fortnight away and all programme details, teaching seminars and language classes are now live online. Every seminar at this free-to-attend event is fully CPD accredited and packed full of exclusive content.
For full programme details and to register, visit the Language Show Live website. Don't miss out!
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20 February 2017 (The Scotsman)
The Gaelic TV channel reaches far beyond those who speak the language, and can get even better if it is given proper support says Brian Wilson.
Issues surrounding the BBC Charter and its implications for broadcasting are likely to gain a high profile in the coming weeks. It would be a pity if, in the political melee, a quiet Scottish success story was overlooked – BBC Alba.
Although its raison d’etre is as a Gaelic broadcaster, BBC Alba reaches 700,000 viewers each week. It accounts for half the commissions in Scotland from independent production companies. It offers a steady stream of quality programmes which would not otherwise be made, mainly on Scottish subjects.
By any standard of media accounting, BBC Alba has achieved all this on a shoestring budget. It broadcasts for seven hours daily but only 1.9 are filled with original content, including news and live sport. The rest consists of repeats, delving deep not only into BBC Alba’s own modest archive but the entire previous output of Gaelic television.
Some of these, it must be said, are very good. The BBC Gaelic department has a history of producing current affairs programmes in particular where quality was in inverse proportion to quantity. However, there are limits to how often viewers in any language should be asked to endure fascinating throw-backs to the 1970s and 1980s.
The current funding review is a crunch point for BBC Alba. It will either survive at its present level or extend its repertoire and role. There is a particular need, from a language perspective, for more children’s programmes and also a more consistent standard of popular entertainment. The channel’s supporters are sensibly realistic in their demands, which may give them a better chance of being listened to.
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17 February 2017 (Institut français d'Ecosse)
The Institut français offers classes and workshops for all ages (toddlers to adults), from complete beginners to fluent speakers.
Enrolment is open for Spring term classes beginning in April.
Students undertaking National 5, Highers and Advanced Highers can also register for a preparation course running 3-7 April.
Visit the website for full details and to enrol.
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17 February 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running a new translation course specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at University. This course will increase language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams where translation is involved.
This new 5-week course will take place on Wednesdays between 3.45-5.45pm starting Wednesday 1 March.
Visit the website for more information and to enrol by Saturday 25 February.
Read more...
12 February 2017 (Sunday Herald)
Does language learning have a place in the Scottish curriculum? Yes. Are modern languages and their teachers under pressure in secondary schools? Yes. Has there been a better opportunity for promoting language learning in our schools ? No.
Language learning has a vital place in Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) on a learner journey from 3-18 but in a manner that does not see it as the preserve of the secondary school.
It has always baffled me that traditionally in Scotland, given its place in Europe, we started language learning so late in a child’s development.
The earlier we expose children to learning languages, the better their chance is of seeing this as something that is just part of their culture.
From a child development point of view, there’s much research to confirm that children are more receptive educationally and emotionally to language learning from an early age.
They soak it up and acquire language skills at a great pace. We know that bilingualism not only helps the cognitive development of the child but also that children who are in bilingual education such as Gaelic Medium Education also attain and achieve at least as well as, in many cases better, than their monoglot peers. They are fluent in two languages and are learning a third by the age of 11. In addition, there is another plus to early exposure to acquiring additional languages; most parents like it, understand it and support schools that promote it.
The Scottish Government-led 1+2 languages programme is a long-term policy commitment started in 2011 due to run until 2021, aimed at making it normal for all children and young people in Scotland to learn languages from primary one.
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10 February 2017 (Education Scotland)
This translation competition is open to all children and young people in both Gaelic Learner and Gaelic Medium Education.
There are nine English and eight Gaelic posters of Scotland’s scientists available on the National Improvement Hub. One of the Gaelic posters is missing- Alexander Graham Bell.
Children and young people are invited to translate a short biography on Alexander Graham Bell into Gaelic. This is an exciting opportunity to have your work shared nationally and to feature alongside the other eight scientist biographies available on the National Improvement Hub. Your work could support learners of Gaelic across Scotland.
For more information visit the Education Scotland Learning Blog. Entries should be submitted by 3 March 2017.
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10 February 2017 (Language Show Live)
Language Show Live, 10-11 March at the SEC, Glasgow
Europe’s largest event dedicated to language teaching and learning is just 1 month away and the teaching seminar, TEFL forum and language class line ups have all been announced and are now live online! Every seminar at this free-to-attend event is fully CPD accredited and packed full of exclusive content. Head online today to claim your free ticket and enjoy all the content that Europe’s premier language event has to offer.
Remember: Alongside our trademark seminar, workshop and panel session line ups we also have our fantastic cultural piazza stage, free language taster classes, over 80 exhibitor and much, much more!
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News from language & education organisations
10 February 2017 (TESS)
Statutory guidance on Gaelic education has been published, spelling out the process that will allow parents under law to request a Gaelic unit for their child. Another key document has also been published: the public consultation on the National Gaelic Language Plan 2017–2022 runs until 6 May.
Read the full item in TESS online, 10 February 2017, under the 'A week in primary' section (subscription required).
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MTOT 2016-17 winners announced!
10 February 2017 (SCILT)
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate everyone who took part in this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition for schools in Scotland. We had a wonderful variety of entries and appreciated the creative effort that went into the submissions.
Selecting the finalists for this year's anthology was incredibly difficult for the judges. However, after considerable deliberation, we're pleased to now be able to announce the winners in each category along with highly commended entries which will also feature in the MTOT anthology of poems.
Mother Tongue
| Category | Award | Name | School |
| P1 – P3 | Winner | Jan Piwowarczyk (Polish) | St Benedict’s Primary |
| | Highly commended | Kacper Jodelka (Polish) | St John Ogilvie Primary |
| P4 – P6 | Winner | Laith Kabour (Arabic) | St John Ogilvie Primary |
| | Highly commended | Ashley Li (Mandarin) | St James’ Primary |
| | Highly commended | Amira Shaaban and Aidah Abubaker (Swahili) | St Rose of Lima Primary |
| | Highly commended | Caroline Rotimi and Joolade Adekoya (Yoruba) | St Maria Goretti Primary |
| P7 – S1 | Winner | Miriam Espinosa (Catalan) | St James’ Renfrew |
| | Highly commended | Lemuel Pascual (Filipino) | St James’ Renfrew |
| | Highly commended | Noemi Dzurjanikova (Slovak) | St Rose of Lima |
| S2 – S3 | Winner | Stefan Benyak (Hungarian) | Castlehead High |
| | Highly commended | Éva Tallaron (French) | Royal High |
| Senior Phase | Winner | Boglarka Balla (Hungarian) | Graeme High |
| | Highly commended | Ayesha Mujeb (Urdu) | George Heriot’s |
| | Highly commended | Nadya Clarkson (Russian) | George Heriot’s |
Other Tongue
| Category | Award | Name | School |
| P1 – P3 | Winner | Julia Gawel (Scots) | Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Primary |
| P4 – P6 | Winner(s) | Nathan Watson and Aiden Wardrop (French) | Johnshaven Primary |
| | Highly commended | Jack Shaw (German) | Gartcosh Primary |
| | | Eva Campbell (German) | Gartcosh Primary |
| P7 – S1 | Winner | Rosalind Turnbull (French) | Doune Primary |
| | Highly commended | Samuel Kassm, Theo Wilson, Emma Cullen and Darren Campbell (French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu, Scots) | Battlefield Primary |
| S2 – S3 | Winner | Simi Singh (French) | Graeme High |
| | Highly commended | Ciara Wilkie (French) | St Margaret’s Academy |
| Senior Phase | Winner | Jordanna Bashir (French) | Shawlands Academy |
| | Highly commended | Holly Mincher (Spanish) | St Andrew’s |
| | Highly commended | Rachel Cairns (French) | Graeme High |
Well done to everyone who took part in the competition. It's been a marvellous celebration of the various languages spoken in our communities. You should all be very proud of your work.
To mark participation in the competition, registered schools will shortly be sent a certificate which can be printed out and presented to pupils who took part. The finalists above will be invited in due course to receive theirs at the MTOT celebration event on 11 March.
Thank you all once again and keep writing!
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SCILT news
8 February 2017 (British Council)
Modern Language Assistants bring authentic language and culture to the classroom. In a recent survey of host schools, Heads of Languages reported improved exam results – raising standards in under-performing students and motivating talented students to achieve more. The support of an Assistant is particularly valuable with the on-going focus on languages in the 1+2 initiative, and can particularly help to complement the development of language teaching in primary schools.
The British Council Language Assistants programme draws on over 100 years of experience with overseas education authorities to provide a trusted, high quality service.
Applications are now open! For more information visit the
British Council website.
In 2016 the Erasmus+ UK National Agency awarded nearly €1.2m+ to Scotland’s schools and colleges for Key Action 2 (KA2) Strategic Partnerships, and 70% of Scottish applications for school-only partnerships were successful. The next Erasmus+ funding deadline is 29 March. If you are planning to apply, access our tailored guidance for
school-only applications and
school education applications;
pre-recorded videos; and
telephone support sessions.
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8 February 2017 (SALT / Institut français)
Winners of the 2017 Concours de la francophonie, a competition run by the Institut français d'Ecosse for schools in Scotland, have now been announced!
Visit the SALT website for more information about the winners in each category.
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7 February 2017 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow has a range of courses for beginners to advanced learners for the new semester commencing 13 February 2017. Classes in general language courses take place on a once-a-week basis for 16 weeks.
See the
programme of courses available and visit the website to enrol.
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Teacher Volunteers Wanted
1 February 2017 (NUS Scotland)
The Scottish Migrant Institute has been set up as a teaching hub to provide training and education to the asylum seeker, refugee and migrant community. These evening and weekend classes, hosted at the University of Strathclyde, offer a range of subjects to adults who want to learn in their spare time. They are currently recruiting volunteers to teach French and Spanish – this would be an ideal opportunity for ML teachers or students who have some spare time to commit.
For more information please contact
Lord Apetsi, NUS Scotland Asylum Seeker & Refugee Officer. An information event will be held at the University of Strathclyde in March/April (date to be confirmed).
31 January 2017 (Yakety Yak)
Yakety Yak has some new venues for French and Italian language cafés in Glasgow.
Visit their website for more information.
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30 January 2017 (Stornoway Gazette)
The Gaelic language is to be promoted through one of the world’s most popular websites thanks to a new role based at the National Library of Scotland.
Dr Susan Ross, who learned Gaelic as a teenager and has since gained a doctorate in Gaelic studies, has been appointed the world’s first Gaelic Wikipedian.
The year-long post will see her working with the Gaelic community across Scotland to improve and create resources on Uicipeid, the Scottish Gaelic Wikipedia.
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27 January 2017 (Education Scotland)
Streap, the Postgraduate Teaching Certificate for teachers of GME will start on 4 September 2017. There are a limited number of places available. An induction event takes place in Glasgow on 14 and 15 September 2017. There is now a Facebook page relating to this professional learning. Please email for more information. This programme is currently fully funded by the Scottish Government.
Find out more about the programme on the University of Aberdeen website.
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27 January 2017 (TESS)
Education directors have dismissed fears that pupils’ subject choices are narrowing under Curriculum for Excellence, insisting they have “far greater” choice than in the past.
MSPs have raised concerns that many pupils are only taking six subjects in S4 under new national qualifications, whereas eight would have been typical under the previous system.
Terry Lanagan, executive officer for education directors’ body ADES, said it was a mistake to look at S4 in isolation, since the “senior phase” was built around pupils accruing qualifications over a three-year period.
The former West Dunbartonshire education director also highlighted that schools could take more flexible approaches, such as joining forces to offer certain subjects or bringing in college lecturers to work with pupils. Greater priority was now given to so-called vocational qualifications, he added.
[..] Figures published in December show the numbers of secondary teachers by main subject taught from 2008-16. TESS examined subjects with more than 500 teachers in 2016 and found that French, computing and home economics are under extreme pressure.
The article can be read in full in TESS online, issue 27 January 2017 (subscription required).
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26 January 2017 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow has a number of upcoming courses for the new term. Follow the appropriate link below for more information:
For more information about the Alliance Française visit their website.
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24 January 2017 (Language Show Live)
Scotland’s biggest and most prestigious event dedicated to all things language is back at the SECC in Glasgow on the 10th – 11th of March 2017. Officially sponsored by Education Scotland and the Scottish Government this free to attend event is a must for anyone interested in learning or advancing their languages, exploring job opportunities in the language industry, considering teaching or working abroad, enjoying a fantastic range of international cultural performances and much, much more!
10TH MARCH – 9:00AM – 6:00PM GLASGOW SECC
11TH MARCH – 9:00AM – 5:30PM GLASGOW SECC
Sample our extensive free seminar programme, meet over 100 top exhibitors like the European Commission, the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the British Council, meet language professional recruiters, enjoy our fantastic array of cultural performances, free language classes and more.
Find out more and
register for free today.
Our trademark intensive 2 hour Language Plus classes are also now available online at a heavily discounted early bird rate (over 20% off the standard price!) of just £18. These optional add-ons can be purchased at the end of the free registration process and are certain to add a productive language experience to your day!
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24 January 2017 (Daily Record)
Lanarkshire may not be known as a hotbed of Gaelic but a little school are doing their best to reintroduce the language to the wider community.
Gartcosh Primary have been nominated for the Gaelic Education Award at this year’s Scottish Education Awards.
Rachel Neilly is one of four teachers at the village primary who has done the Gaelic Learning in Primary Schools course and teaches the language to primaries five to seven.
All children from primary two upwards learn German but the upper three classes have Gaelic as a third language.
They also learn about the culture in the Highlands and islands as part of their studies.
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Principal Assessor and Deputy Principal Assessor - Higher Chinese languages
23 January 2017 (SQA)
SQA is inviting applications for a Principal Assessor in Higher Chinese Languages to lead the team as well as a Deputy Principal Assessor (DPA) in Higher Chinese Languages. The DPA is a new role in a slightly altered structure which will become operational for Diet 2017. The primary role of the Deputy Principal Assessor is to support the Principal Assessor.
Details of both roles can be found by following the relevant link below to the SQA website:
Training and support will be provided for both roles.
19 January 2017 (Scottish Education Awards)
The Scottish Education Awards celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education. They recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcase the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
There's still time to submit nominations for the Awards, so get your entries in for the Making Languages Come Alive (Primary) and Gaelic Education/Duais Foghlam Gàidhlig.awards before the closing date of 15 February 2017.
Visit the Scottish Education Award website to make your nomination.
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19 January 2017 (The Herald)
Schools are having to cut the number of subjects they offer to pupils as a direct result of cuts, teachers’ leaders have warned.
An education union said current budgetary pressures meant courses such as extra languages and sciences could not run unless at least ten pupils were interested.
The concerns were raised at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s education committee which is examining the roll-out of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) reforms.
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19 January 2017 (BBC News)
A Skye shinty player's comedy rap has helped to get a video on the shortlist of Gaelic short film competition FilmG.
Ally MacLeod performs in Girls, Strì and Macaroni, a short film made by Iain Wilson from Staffin on Skye.
The video is among entries in the running for best mobile short and best comedy. Mr MacLeod has also been shortlisted for the best performance award.
The full list of shortlisted films can be found on the FilmG website.
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19 January 2017 (RZSS)
Conservation charity the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is excited to announce the official launch of its brand new ‘Panda Pass It On’ game for schools. The game, which is part of the conservation organisation’s Beyond the Panda education programme, launched at four schools in all four corners of Scotland on Tuesday 17 January: St. Patrick’s, South Ayrshire; Lasswade High, Midlothian, Portree Primary, Isle of Skye and Forehill Primary, Aberdeen.
With only four copies of the game available, the intention is for schools to keep the fun, learning resource for a week before passing it on to other schools. The panda games will hopefully make their way across Scotland, with each school logging their location through a QR code on the back of the game, which will allow RZSS to follow the games as they travel.
Sandie Robb, Senior Education Officer at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: “I’m incredibly excited about the launch of the Panda Pass It On game. It is the first of its kind and is a fun way for children to learn more about China, its history, culture and language as well as their famous animals, the giant pandas. It will be really interesting to track the games as they travel to different schools.”
The game forms an introduction to the Beyond the Panda education programme, which is designed to promote cross-curricular learning, with pupils investigating and discovering more about China. The materials cover Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes in science, topical science, social studies, language and literacy. This is delivered through an outreach programme with fun, interactive games led by an education officer from RZSS, or in the case of the Panda Pass It On game, by itself.
The programme is sponsored by the Confucius Institute for Scotland at the University of Edinburgh with support from the Scotland China Education Network and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools at the University of Strathclyde.
For more information, please visit the RZSS Beyond the Panda website.
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18 January 2017 (Glasgow Film)
The programme for Glasgow Film Festival 2017 has just been announced!
More than 310 separate events and screenings of films from 38 countries will show across the city from 15 – 26 February in one of the UK’s biggest film festivals. The event offers several special screenings for schools, which this year includes the following foreign language options:
- Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods (PG) - 6-8 February (French, English subtitles)
- Ma Revolution (N/C 15+) - 3-8 February (French, English subtitles)
- The Olive Tree (N/C 15+) - 7 February (Spanish/German with English subtitles)
- Shorts for Wee Ones (N/C 3+) - 9 February (English, French or dialogue free)
- The Golden Dream (N/C 12+) - 9 February (Spanish & Tzotzil with English subtitles)
- Zip Zap & The Captain's Island (N/C 8+) - 9 February (Spanish)
There are also CPD opportunities for teachers and workshops for pupils. Visit the 'What's on for Schools' page of the GFT website for full details and to book.
Tickets go on sale to Glasgow Film Festival Members at noon on Thursday 19 January and on general sale at 10am on Monday 23 January.
Visit the GFT website for more information.
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16 January 2017 (CISS)
The CISS CLPL menu for 2016-17 'Making Chinese work for you!' has been updated.
Visit the CISS website to view the brochure and for information on booking a professional learning session.
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16 January 2017 (SQA)
The SQA has produced updated guidance documents on the use of past paper questions for Advanced Higher Modern Languages (Chinese, Italian, French, Spanish, German and Gaelic learners).
These can be found on the SQA Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage under the 'Specimen Question Papers and Marking Instructions' section.
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Japan days for schools
16 January 2017 (RZSS)
Come along to our Japan days at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, held in partnership with the Association of Scottish Philatelic Societies youth StampIT programme.
Experience a day at the park to visit the Japanese macaques along with an educational session using games and activities to learn about Japanese language and culture. Suitable for P6/7 and S1 levels. Entrance to the park is free for these special pilot events but places are limited and booking is essential.
Places available on Wednesday 8 March or Wednesday 15 March 2017. First come, first served. Contact Sandie Robb srobb@rzss.org.uk for further details and booking information.
13 January 2017 (The Herald)
The number of language teachers in Scottish secondary schools has fallen by more than two hundred since 2010, according to new figures.
Official statistics from the Scottish Government show there were 1,635 language teachers in 2010 compared to just 1,402 in 2016 - a decline of 15 per cent.
The decline comes at a time when there are significant fears over the future of languages with a long-term fall in the number of pupils sitting exams such as French, German and Italian - although Spanish is still proving popular.
Tavish Scott, education spokesman for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who asked for the figures, called on ministers to explain the falling number.
He said: “It’s extremely disappointing to see such a dramatic fall in the number of secondary school language teachers since 2010.
“Language teaching in schools have been highlighted as a government priority yet the government’s own figures show there are fewer teachers than before, setting language students up for failure.
“If the Scottish Government is serious about getting pupils learning languages then they need to ensure every school has the resources to provide a quality language education.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Association of Language Teaching (SALT) blamed changes to the curriculum for the “hugely concerning” fall.
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13 January 2017 (SCILT)
Here at SCILT, our New Year’s Resolution has been to review and refresh the CLPL menu. With your feedback in mind, we have made a few strategic changes that we hope will make a big difference. New on the SCILT website from today – the new and improved CLPL menu.
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Regional Cross-Sector Hub Meetings, Round 2
13 January 2017 (SCILT / UCMLS)
UCMLS (University Council for Modern Languages Scotland) is again holding a second round of regional cross-sector hub meetings during January and February.
Participants will have the opportunity to meet with university colleagues to discuss current and future collaborative events in support of the Scottish Government's 1+2 language policy. Comments will feed into the UCMLS cross -sector action plan in support of 1+2, due to be launched on Friday 10 March 2017 at Glasgow City Chambers.
- Central Hub: Saturday 14 January 2017, 10-11.30, University of Dundee, Dalhousie Building, Room 2G13 (Registrations for the Central Hub meeting have now closed but if you wish to attend please send an email to m.m.g.sporing@dundee.ac.uk)
- North Hub: Wednesday 1 February 2017, 4-5.30 pm, University of Aberdeen, Sir Duncan Rice Library, Top Floor, Room 1. Please register by 25 January
- West Hub: Thursday, 2 February 2017, 5-6.30 pm, City of Glasgow College, Cathedral Street, Glasgow. Meet in Cafe Zero. Please register by 27 January
- East Hub: Friday, 24 February 2017, 2-4 pm, Open University, 10 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh. Room tbc. Registration will open once room details have been confirmed so please look out for the update!
12 January 2017 (SQA)
SQA currently has Marker vacancies in the following areas:
- AH French Paper 1 and Paper 2 (Reading and Translation and Listening and Discursive Writing) - this is a MFI Central Marking event which takes place from Thursday 1 June - Sunday 4 June 2017 inclusive
- AH French Portfolio - this is traditionally marked and the Marker meeting take place on Wednesday 10 May 2017.
If you would like to be considered for AH French marking please complete the online application form stating which components you would like to mark confirming your availability to attend either the marking meeting and or the central marking event.
Details can be found in the marker advert on the SQA website.
Current markers who wish to be considered for a change of level should also complete an application form confirming current delivery of AH French for at least 2 years.
Read more...
11 January 2017 (SRF)
The latest news and events from the SRF can be found in their January news bulletin. You can practise your Russian language at the next Чай н Чат (Chai n Chat) in Edinburgh on 2 February.
Read more...
30 December 2016 (The National)
Police officers are to take crime reports in Gaelic as part of new efforts to use the minority language.
Police Scotland already puts Poileas Alba branding on uniforms, vehicles and signage in the Highlands and Islands. Now officers all over the country will be encouraged to speak Gaelic on the beat and over the phone as part of a new five-year plan.
From 2017, the force’s logo will be rendered bilingual as standard across the country and in all official material, “demonstrating equal respect for Gaelic and English”.
Senior officers will also help would-be learners pick up the tongue to help create “a sustainable future” for Gaelic and integrate it within policing. Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Cowie said the strategy has been developed in response to a public consultation.
Read more...
19 December 2016 (Clydebank Post)
Pupils from West Dunbartonshire wanting to study Gaelic may no longer be taken by Glasgow City Council, education bosses have said.
At the education services committee last week, Laura Mason, chief education officer, said Glasgow Gaelic School currently takes their 18 pupils doing their medium language study.
But she said: “We don’t know until we start enrolling in January if parents demand Gaelic education. There is a strong possibility Glasgow City Council will say they’re full.
Read more...
15 December 2016 (SCILT)
Calderglen is a six-year non-denominational, comprehensive school in East Kilbride, established after the merger of Hunter and Claremont High Schools. It serves approximately 1,600 pupils and shares a campus with Sanderson High School for young people with additional support needs.
The school uses an innovative and dynamic approach to the curriculum. Read how pupils benefit from creative language learning strategies and for interesting ideas for the implementation of 1+2.
Read more...
15 December 2016 (SQA)
SQA has now published the Modern Languages course reports for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
These contain helpful information on candidate performance in the 2017 examinations as well as providing invaluable advice to centres. Teachers may find the information particularly useful in the run up to prelims.
To access the reports for all Modern Languages visit the SQA website and choose National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher.
The course reports can be found under the tab Verification and Course Reports at the bottom of the page.
SCILT will summarise the key messages and publish them on the website early in the New Year.
Read more...
15 December 2016 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland, SCILT and UCMLS ran a joint DO conference on Tuesday 29 November with a focus on sharing good practice in implementation strategies for 1+2 languages.
The morning session was given over to a presentation by Professor Angela Scarino, University of South Australia, architect of the Australian languages policy. You can now view Professor Scarino's presentation online.
Read more...
15 December 2016 (SCILT / UCMLS)
We are holding a second round of regional cross-sector hub meetings in January/February where we are seeking your views in preparation for the UCMLS action plan in support of the 1+2 language policy (Launch date: 10 March, in Glasgow!).
Dates for Central and North Hub are already decided, those for East and West Hub will be announced in the New Year.
First up, though is the Central Hub meeting, which will be held at the University of Dundee (Dalhousie, Room 2G13) on Saturday 14 January 2017, 10-12 (Registration from 9.30). The North Hub meeting will be at the University of Aberdeen, on Wednesday 1 February (Library, top floor).
Please check for updates on the SCILT website.
Read more...
1 December 2016 (The Guardian)
What languages should we teach children in schools, and why? The question came to the fore on Monday after the Polish prime minister, Beata Szydło, called on Theresa May to introduce Polish classes in British schools.
With 831,000 Poles living in Britain – they make up the largest immigrant group in the UK – introducing the language certainly could help communities feel more integrated.
Traditionally in secondary schools in the UK, the most widely taught languages have been French, Spanish and German, according to data from the British Council in collected from 2013 to 2014. In 2010 the government also decided to train 1,000 Mandarin teachers to work in secondary schools in England thanks to China’s increasing influence on the global economy.
How should we select languages for the curriculum? Should we choose those that are spoken the most in Britain? What languages have been most helpful to you? We asked our readers these questions and this is what they said.
Read more...
29 November 2016 (All Media Scotland)
The closing date for entries in FilmG 2017 is fast approaching. However, if anyone is yet to complete their film there are still two weeks left, before the competition closes on Wednesday 14 December.
Whether it be a comedy, drama, documentary or even a music video, one of the simplest ways to make a short film, is to use mobile technology.
The FilmG team are hopeful that the increasing availability of technology along with a broader range of prizes than ever before will see a record number of entries this year.
The theme for this year’s FilmG competition is ‘Strì’ meaning to strive or endeavour. All films must be in Scottish Gaelic and can be up to five minutes long for youth category entrants or up to eight minutes in length for open category entrants.
Read more...
29 November 2016 (Scottish Book Trust)
If you're 14-17 years old, living in Scotland, and care about creative writing and illustration then read on!
What's Your Story? is a Scotland-wide programme of support for teenage writers & illustrators – led by teens, for teens.
Seven teenagers from around Scotland will be selected to join the What’s Your Story? Development Programme for 2017. Thanks to our friends at The Gaelic Books Council there will be one place especially for a Gaelic language applicant, but no matter what language you work in you are welcome to apply.
Visit the website to find out more about the programme and to apply by 3 January 2017.
Read more...
29 November 2016 (All Media Scotland)
A facility dedicated to promoting closer cultural links between school pupils in Moray and their counterparts in China was formally opened today.
The Confucius Classroom is part of a growing network of hubs – currently standing at more than 20 – being set up across Scotland to help promote Chinese language and culture in schools.
The Moray hub is based at Elgin Academy and will be resourced for children and young people from across the area to study all aspects of Chinese life.
It will also serve as a base for two teachers from China who will work closely with a total of 14 local secondary and primary schools during the current session.
The teaching posts are funded by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages at Strathclyde University where the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools is based.
Opportunities will also exist for teachers from Moray schools to undertake exchange visits to China, while pupils will also be able to take part in language immersion courses in Chinese schools.
Read more...
28 November 2016 (SEET)
Find out the latest about the Our Europe and Euroquiz competitions for Scottish schools in SEET's November 2016 newsletter.
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25 November 2016 (Stornoway Gazette)
A new Welcome Scheme which recognises the special efforts made by tourism businesses to provide for visitors with an interest in Gaelic heritage was launched at the Highland Tourism Conference in Inverness this week.
Scotland’s Experiencing Gaelic is a newly-developed Welcome Scheme and was launched by John Thurso, Chairman of VisitScotland.
VisitScotland is working in partnership with The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to deliver this year’s conference. More than 180 delegates had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions on the topics of Slow Adventure Tourism, VisitScotland’s iKnow Scotland Programme, Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, Business Gateway support and Marine Tourism.
Recent research show that over half the visitors to Scotland are interested in learning more about the Gaelic language, heritage, culture and traditions.
VisitScotland has developed the Experiencing Gaelic scheme to recognise those businesses that excel in meeting the expectations of visitors who are interested in learning more about this native language, including all accommodation sectors, cafes, restaurants and visitor attractions.
The Experiencing Gaelic scheme is not just about speaking Gaelic but it encourages businesses to spend time researching their local area, providing translations and offering links to local Gaelic heritage centres and places of interest.
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23 November 2016 (FC Barcelona)
Before today’s game between Celtic and Barça, the directors of the two clubs enjoyed a lunch organised by UEFA in a restaurant close to the hotel where the Catalans are staying.
FCB was represented at the event by vice-president Manel Arroyo, the commissioner for Espai Barça Jordi Moix and directors Silvio Elías, Pau Vilanova and Xavier Vilajoana.
And there was an unexpected surprise for them before the meal was served, when the choir from Dalmarnock Primary School performed the Barça anthem!
See the video on the FC Barcelona website.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Alliance Française)
L’Institut Français d’Écosse and the Alliance Française de Glasgow, in partnership with SCILT, are delighted to launch the 2nd edition of the Concours de la Francophonie which encourages young French learners and their teachers across Scotland to celebrate French language and the international Journée mondiale de la francophonie taking place in March each year..
To participate, you need to submit a short video (max 5mins) in French such as a dialogue, a song a short drama piece, etc. There are four categories:
The four winning teams will be invited to the University of Edinburgh on Friday 17 March 2017 to take part in a special day of workshops in French and the awards ceremony.
For more information and to enter the competition by 14 December visit the Alliance Française or Institut Français website.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Alliance Française)
Studying French at university? Brush up on your grammar and oral skills at the AF !
We will be running two new courses for grammar and oral practice specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at university.
The courses will run for 5 weeks during January/February 2017.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running a programme of CPD workshops in French for Primary school teachers between February and April 2017.
Ten topics will be covered, tailored to the needs of Primary school teachers.
For more information and to enrol, visit the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Alliance Française)
As in previous years, the Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running Higher and Advanced Higher Oral Preparation courses for pupils who will be sitting their French oral examinations in 2017.
The sessions will take place during February 2017.
Visit the Alliance Française website for further information and to enrol.
Read more...
23 November 2016 (Press and Journal)
A new scheme which recognises the special efforts made by tourism businesses to provide for visitors with an interest in Gaelic heritage was launched yesterday.
VisitScotland’s Experiencing Gaelic is a newly-developed initiative and was unveiled by John Thurso, chairman of VisitScotland, at the Highland Tourism Conference in Inverness.
Recent research shows that more than half the visitors to Scotland are interested in learning more about the Gaelic language, and also our Gaelic heritage, culture and traditions.
Read more...
21 November 2016 (SRF)
The latest news and events from the SRF can be found online in their November bulletin.
If you want to practise your Russian language skills, the next Chai n Chat (Tea and Chat) takes place in Edinburgh on 1 December.
Read more...
18 November 2016 (Scottish Book Trust)
Book Week Scotland is taking place from 21-27 November 2016.
There will be a host of events taking place around the country, including those celebrating Scots and Gaelic languages. Check the events schedule on the Scottish Book Trust website to see what's available near you.
Read more...
18 November 2016 (TESS)
Grade boundaries set at “ridiculous” levels are driving pupils away from languages and leaving talented linguists with lower results than they deserve, it has been claimed.
Languages teachers fear their subjects – which are already suffering from falling numbers – will be sidelined further as they gain a reputation among pupils as “hard” options that could put their university places at risk.
Of the 30 most popular Highers, German and French set the bar highest for an A grade (78 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively); Spanish is also above most subjects, with 73 per cent required for an A.
Gillian Campbell-Thow, chair of the Scottish Association for Language Teaching (Salt), said: “Learners who were expecting to get an A, having had high marks all year, were of course disappointed. For some, it impacted on their access to further and higher education.”
As TESS has reported, the situation for modern languages has already been described as “near critical” this year because of a decrease in pupils taking the subjects at S4.
Ms Campbell-Thow said that, at Higher, “we are now seeing learners opting for subjects where they feel they are more likely to get an A”.
Languages teachers are also reportedly narrowing their focus. Ms Campbell-Thow said that one Salt member “felt she had to take out a lot of the creative content…in favour of teaching to a test, which flies in the face of Curriculum for Excellence”.
She added: “We don’t want to find ourselves teaching to an exam, using rote learning and effectively putting a ceiling on skills development and language acquisition, but the worry of letting down learners and parents…has left our practitioners feeling both vulnerable and under pressure.”
The full article can be accessed on TESS online, 18 November 2016 (subscription required).
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17 November 2016 (Daily Record)
Outlander's Gaelic consultant Àdhamh Ó Broin has been honoured at The Scottish Gaelic Awards.
The Gaelic consultant scooped the International Award for his work as a Gaelic language coach on the popular TV series, which has showcased the language to an audience of millions.
Gaelic in the STARZ original series Outlander, now in its third season, is considered integral to the authenticity of the show and its characters
In his role, Àdhamh teaches the actors to deliver complex Gaelic-language scenes despite having no previous spoken ability.
Read more...
11 November 2016 (TESS)
Most schools still do not have access to a modern language assistant, new figures show, amid fears that the scheme will wither away if a key source of funding is stopped.
Native speakers of foreign languages have long come to Scotland to work in schools and help teachers to bring those subjects to life. But as local authorities cut budgets, their numbers fell as low as 72 by 2013-14.
Figures obtained by TESS show that the provisional number of modern language assistants (MLAs) has risen to 146 this year, including 23 in independent schools.
The data from British Council Scotland – which arranges for MLAs to work in the country – show increased numbers in all five languages that are part of the scheme: French, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish.
But there is still some way to go to match the 278 MLAs that were working in schools in 2005-06 – the highest number since existing records began in 2003.
The picture also varies markedly around the country: 18 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have no MLAs, while Edinburgh has the most with 25, and even a small council like Angus has as many as 19.
Lucy Young, head of education at British Council Scotland, said that councils often used funding from the Scottish government’s 1+2 languages programme to recruit MLAs at an annual cost of about £10,000 per assistant.
Under the programme – being rolled out in all primary schools – pupils are expected to have knowledge of two languages other than their own by the time they reach secondary.
But this key funding is due to be stopped in 2020 – putting schools’ access to MLAs at risk.
Read the full article on TESS online, 11 November 2016 (subscription required).
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Languages in the press
7 November 2016 (SALT)
After a fantastic response to the 2016 Schools Poster Competition, the winning entries can now be seen on the SALT website.
Read more...
7 November 2016 (Skye Times)
Thirty five Gaelic learners and speakers from Portree and Plockton Secondary Schools attended a Careers Day at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
The event was formally opened by Mr John Norman Macleod, Vice Principal/Director of Academic Studies at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye.
The annual event ‘SIUTHAD!’– GO ON!’ is aimed at both Gaelic Learners and Fluent speakers. ‘SIUTHAD!’ showcases a range of Gaelic related careers and encourages young people to continue with their Gaelic studies.
‘SIUTHAD’!’ is a partnership between The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and is organised by the Council’s Gaelic Team, Skills Development Scotland(SDS) and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
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7 November 2016 (Daily Record)
The finalists have been announced for this year’s Scottish Gaelic Awards with just over a week to go until the big event.
The awards pay tribute to all aspects of Gaelic culture, education and language, highlighting the excellent work done in maintaining its growth and heritage.
The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, November 16 at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel.
One of the finalists in the Learner Award is radio show Beag air Bheag, aired weekly on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
The programme’s title means “little by little” and it introduces Gaelic learners to the language at an accessible pace.
Read more...
4 November 2016 (TESS)
Although archaeology is going to be withdrawn as an A-level option, there are other subjects that attract far fewer students.
[..] In Scotland, the lowest number of entries for a subject at Higher was for Gaelic as a foreign language, with 84, while 92 students took Urdu.
The full list of lowest entry A Levels / Highers is available in TESS online, 4 November 2016 (subscription required).
Read more...
4 November 2016 (SCILT)
We are delighted to have Jackie Kay, the national laureate, as patron for this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue multilingual poetry competition for schools in Scotland.
Hear Jackie's message supporting the aims and values of the competition in the video on our MTOT webpage.
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SCILT news
2 November 2016 (Consejería de Educación)
The Consejería de Educación and the Spanish Academy of Language and Translation (SALT) offer Spanish Immersion Days for pupils studying at Higher and Advanced Higher level.
Trained MLAs are ready to visit schools and spend a day with students giving them the opportunity to practise Spanish meaningfully with native speakers through oral communication activities, workshops and games.
Visit the website or see the attached flyer for more information and the procedure to book.
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28 October 2016 (SCILT)
For the third year in succession SCILT, in partnership with University Council for Modern Languages (UCMLS) will be hosting a series of Business Brunch events across Scotland in January and February 2017. These will take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Aimed specifically at S3 - S6 pupils, these events will demonstrate the relevance of language skills in a work context with the intention of encouraging pupils to continue with their language studies into the senior phase of their secondary education.
Registration is now open for the Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen events. (Edinburgh and Inverness will open soon).
To find out more and to register by 21 November, visit our Business Brunch 2017 webpage.
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SCILT news
26 October 2016 (Daily Record)
Entrants from across the country and across the generations and will be rewarded for their work promoting Gaelic culture and language.
Judges at this year’s Scottish Gaelic Awards have admitted they face a tough task.
Entrants of all ages delighted the panel with their high standards – but made the task of choosing the best a difficult one, according to chairman Cathy MacDonald.
The broadcaster said: “Once again, there is an excellent standard spanning the generations.
“The awards seek to reward all aspects of Scottish Gaelic culture and language, highlighting some of the excellent work undertaken to maintain its growth and heritage.
"It’s encouraging to see how much they’ve grown, attracting younger Gaelic speakers.
“They create an opportunity for those unsung heroes whom we otherwise wouldn’t have heard of and whose contribution deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated publicly.”
Read more...
24 October 2016 (SEET)
SEET is very pleased to announce that Euroquiz 2016-17 has now officially launched! We run an annual Euroquiz for P6 pupils, promoting education about Europe and encouraging the development of foreign language skills and intercultural competencies amongst young people in Scotland.
If you are interested in finding out more about Euroquiz, visit the SEET website where you can watch our promo video, or contact jane@seet.org.uk. Primary schools will receive information via their local authority including a registration form.
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21 October 2016 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Écosse is pleased to announce the launch of the second edition of our new Concours de la francophonie to encourage all young French learners and their teachers across Scotland.
The competition is open to primary and secondary pupils and involves producing a short video in French which should be submitted by 14 December 2016.
See the attached flyer for more information about the competition and how to take part. You can also see pictures from the first edition competition on the Institut français website.
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12 October 2016 (SEET)
Our Europe 2016-17 is now open for registration!
The film-making competition for S3-S6 pupils is an annual competition run by the Scottish European Educational Trust. Teams of 4 design a storyboard outlining the film they propose to make based on the competition theme. This year the topic is global citizenship, specifically addressing one of the following themes:
- Travel and Leisure
- Migration and welcome
- Trade
As always, films must include the use of at least one language other than English. This year any and all languages will be accepted in entries. All teams have to do is put their ideas into a storyboard and send them to SEET by 8 December 2016.
For more information, visit SEET's Our Europe competition website.
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12 October 2016 (Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
This year's Dundee Literary Festival takes place from 19 October to 25 November and includes Scots and Gaelic language events.
Children will especially enjoy the session on 22 October, 'Rock and Roald Dahl Party' with Matthew Fitt, featuring Scots translations of some of Dahl's classic books.
Visit the website for details.
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11 October 2016 (SCHOLAR / Heriot-Watt)
SCHOLAR would like to bring to your attention their support for learners at Advanced Higher French, German and Spanish tackling the Specialist Study and Portfolio. Within the ‘Culture’ area, there is an extensive set of activities taking learners through every aspect of these areas. There is also a record, downloadable as a word document in both French and German, to help learners keep a record in the target language. This has the aim of helping them both prepare for the visit of the external examiner, and collect information to allow them to present their evidence for the Specialist Study Unit in the target language.
Search for Scholar HW, or use the login link.
Log in with your ID and password, which your school has!
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6 October 2016 (The Herald)
A tour of Scotland's islands, a plan for an epic poem and a project to put the languages of Scotland into verse are all part of the plans of Scotland's national poet, or Makar, Jackie Kay.
Ms Kay, who was appointed as the third Makar in March, is to embark on Ferlie Leed, a poetic tour of the Highlands and Islands, with a series of events in the more far-flung spaces of Scotland, beginning in Dunoon and moving on to North Uist, Stornoway and Shetland.
Ferlie Leed, a Scots expression which Ms Kay said has translated to 'wondrous talk', said she wants to visit as much of the country as she can in her five year term as Makar.
Read more...
Related Links
National Poetry Day (STV News, 6 October 2016) See Jackie Kay and one of last year's MTOT winners, Keren Mingole, talk about poetry in their lives (the programme is available on iPlayer until 13/09/16 - watch from 28:50).
6 October 2016 (STV News)
For most of her life, it seemed as though Keren Mingole would never have a place to call home.
Forced to escape war-torn country of DR Congo, the 16-year-old has been brought up in Scotland from a very early age. Not only faced with the difficulty of communicating with strangers, Keren also had to learn British Sign Language.
[..] In 2015, an opportunity arose for Keren to explore and draw from her difficult experiences as a child through a multilingual poetry contest.
The Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition explores cultural identity, and allows pupils from P1-S6 to enter creative pieces of work and celebrate the many different languages used in schools throughout the UK.
Pupils from across Scotland are currently participating in the multi-cultural competition, which is officially endorsed by Nobel Peace prize winner Malala Yousafzai. Scottish Makar Jackie Kay is also the official patron.
Keren won the 2015 Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition with her poem 'Who am I?' - a composition of her journey from her native home to her current home, Scotland.
Read more...
Related Links
National Poetry Day (STV News, 6 October 2016) See Jackie Kay and one of last year's MTOT winners, Keren Mingole, talk about poetry in their lives (the programme is available on iPlayer until 13/09/16 - watch from 28:50).
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SCILT,
Languages in the press
6 October 2016 (Greenock Telegraph)
Inverclyde Academy youngsters explored other cultures as part of a day celebrating modern languages.
Third year pupils also served up coffee and cakes to their guests, who included language ambassadors from Strathclyde University and Mandarin speakers.
Principal teacher Sarah Bell invited along experts in British Sign Language, as she widened out the European day of languages.
Read more...
6 October 2016 (University of Strathclyde)
Now in its 5th year, the Language Ambassadors Programme is offering visits to Secondary or Primary schools (and other formats too). As Language Ambassadors we will talk about our varied experiences as language learners and do our best to encourage your pupils to follow in our footsteps…
Motivation, experiences abroad, transition to First year at university, job prospects, university courses… This is what we can tell them about.
Boost your young learners’ motivation, invite us in!
For more information see the Language Ambassadors website and to organise a visit, simply contact: Cédric Moreau, c.moreau@strath.ac.uk.
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SQA news
29 September 2016 (SQA)
The following news items from the SQA may be of interest to language teachers:
Removal of Higher exemplar question papers
Exemplar question papers (EQPs) were created as a revision resource for learners during implementation of the new Higher and Advanced Higher National Qualifications. As we now have two years' worth of past papers for new Higher as well as a specimen question paper for each subject with an exam, the EQPs will be removed from SQA's open website in the week commencing 24 October 2016. Associated guidance documents and guidance on the use of past papers documents will also be removed at this time.
The Advanced Higher EQPs and associated guidance will remain for session 2016-17 and will be removed from the website in July 2017.
Marker opportunities 2017
Are you an enthusiastic and committed teaching professional looking for a new challenge? Do you want to gain valuable insight that will benefit your students? SQA markers are at the heart of our examination operations, gaining valuable insight into assessment and quality assurance processes.
We are currently recruiting markers across all subjects and levels for the 2017 examinations.
Please note that applicants must have at least two years of teaching experience at the level they wish to mark.
Find out more about becoming an SQA marker.
29 September 2016 (Xinhua)
The links between Scotland and the Chinese side are going from strength to strength in parliamentary, economic, cultural, and educational sectors, said a top Scottish legislator Wednesday evening.
Addressing the reception to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh, Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh reviewed the exchange of visits of top-level officials from both sides, the Chinese language mania in Scotland, the Chinese students studying in Scotland, as well as people-to-people exchanges.
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27 September 2016 (The Courier)
Eighteen months after schools were urged to increase the use of the Scots language as part of a wider drive to improve literacy, a BBC Radio documentary, compiled by Newport-based broadcaster and Scots language expert Billy Kay, is highlighting the efforts to promote the use of Scots in Dundee. Michael Alexander reports.
Read more...
25 September 2016 (The Scotsman)
Scotland could lose its dedicated Gaelic channel and see a decline in the use of the language unless BBC Alba wins a better financial deal, its operator has warned.
MG Alba says the future of the station has been left in the balance by the BBC’s new royal charter because it does not spell out specific guarantees on future funding.
Read more...
23 September 2016 (Scottish Government)
More than 10,000 young people will benefit from additional funding for Gaelic music, drama and language teaching.
The Scottish Government will provide £33,000 to Fèisean nan Gàidheal in 2016-17 to support Gaelic learning.
The new funding will go towards the production of a new Gaelic music, drama and dance show involving children from two Gaelic primary schools – one in the Highlands and one in the central belt.
It will also allow the organisation to offer their Fèisgoil Gaelic language lessons to local authorities that have not experienced them yet.
Read more...
22 September 2016 (Consejería de Educación)
The University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Consejería de Educación, will launch the third Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) from 6-20 October 2016 and would like to invite schools to bring their senior phase students along to one of the screenings at the Filmhouse Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness or Glasgow.
See the attached letter of invitation for details of the programme and booking information.
For more information about the Festival, visit the ESFF website.
Read more...
22 September 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow will be running a new grammar course specifically designed for students who are currently studying French at University. This course will increase students' language skills and should greatly help prepare for exams.
The 5-week course takes place on Wednesdays commencing 19 October.
Visit the Alliance Française website for more information and to enrol.
Read more...
21 September 2016 (SRF)
The latest news bulletin from the SRF is now available to view online. If you want to learn Russian there may still be a few spaces left on this term's courses. Check out the bulletin for details.
Read more...
21 September 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow is running a new 10-week Beginners 1 French course specifically designed for primary school teachers between October and December 2016.
The course is suitable for complete beginners and will take place on Wednesdays 3.45-5.45pm between 5 October and 14 December 2016.
For more information and to enrol, visit the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
20 September 2016 (UWS)
The Languages for All team at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are offering language immersion classes in French, German, Mandarin or Spanish to support Higher and Advanced Higher students.
The half-day classes are designed to suit the academic needs of students who wish to enhance essential skills in language such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. These classes will prepare students for their SQA final exams.
The classes can either be held in one of the UWS campuses - Ayr, Dumfries, Hamilton or Paisley. Alternatively UWS lecturers can travel to your local authority facilities.
To find out more and how to arrange a session, visit the UWS website.
Read more...
19 September 2016 (Daily Record / Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
As part of the Daily Record's drive to celebrate all aspects of Scottish culture, and following the success of the 2015 Gaelic Awards, we are proud to launch the 2016 campaign with headline sponsors Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The Scottish Gaelic Awards reward all aspects of our Gaelic culture, education and language highlighting the excellent work undertaken to maintain growth and heritage.
If you know someone who deserves an award for their contribution to Gaelic, submit your nomination by Friday 25 September. A list of award categories can be found on the Scottish Gaelic Awards website.
The Awards will be presented at a high-quality dinner in Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow on Wednesday 16 November 2016.
Read more...
19 September 2016 (Goethe-Institut)
Due to demand the Goethe-Institut in Glasgow has opened another beginners course on Tuesday evenings. There are also some places left on their other courses.
For full details visit the Goethe-Institut website and if you'd like to join, please make sure that you enrol this week.
Read more...
16 September 2016 (SCILT)
Please check out a new section on our website, dedicated to the cross-sector work by UCMLS, and
register for one of the all-important regional cross-sector meetings on 22 September (North and Central Hubs), 28 September (West Hub) and 30 September (East Hub). You'll find out more about the recent cross-sector conference and UCMLS plans for the next six months.
Read more...
9 September 2016 (SCILT)
Once again, we are delighted to be able to offer FREE poetry workshops for primary and secondary teachers at four different venues across Scotland.
Teachers will work with Juliette Lee, a poet and creative writer, for a half-day workshop to develop their own creativity, explore poetry and the impact of language we use. We hope that teachers will leave inspired and able to take back some ideas and examples to work with their own pupils who will then submit their poems/rhymes/raps/songs into the MTOT competition.
Teachers do not have to attend one of the workshops to register their school for the MTOT competition although the workshops are a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in teaching poetry, languages and to gather ideas to take back into the classroom. Due to the creative and interactive nature of these workshops, places are limited to 15 teachers at each venue, therefore we advise you to book your place early.
Details of the workshops are as follows. Click on the appropriate workshop link below to register for the event.
- Saturday 24 September, 10.00 – 12.30; Dundee University, Dundee (deadline for registration Friday 16 September)
- Friday 30 September, 13.30 – 16.00; The Open University in Scotland, Edinburgh (deadline for registration 6pm Monday 26 September)
- Saturday 1 October, 10.00 – 12.30; Inverness College - UHI, Inverness (deadline for registration 6pm Monday 26 September)
- Saturday 8 October, 12.00 – 14.30; University of Strathclyde, Glasgow (deadline for registration Friday 30 September) PLEASE NOTE EVENT NOW FULL!
For more information about the competition visit the
MTOT page on our website and
register your school to take part!
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Language Skills,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
5 September 2016 (SCHOLAR)
Need help with Computing Science, Maths or Modern Languages? SCHOLAR online homework sessions are back!
The first for Higher and Advanced Higher Modern Languages is 'Using SCHOLAR to help you succeed' on Tuesday 27 September at 6pm.
Visit the website for the full schedule of upcoming sessions this term.
Read more...
4 September 2016 (Stornoway Gazette)
A motion at the Scottish Parliament has congratulated An Comunn Gàidhealach – who organise and run the annual Royal National Mòd – on its 125th anniversary.
Kate Forbes MSP, who previously competed whilst a high school pupil in Dingwall, said she was pleased the Parliament was recognising “the important role the organisation has played in the study of Gaelic literature, history, music and art”.
Read more...
2 September 2016 (SCILT)
We're delighted to announce the launch of this year's Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition and are thrilled to welcome the new Scots Makar, Jackie Kay, as the competition's patron.
Whether pupils are learning a language at school, or whether they speak a native language at home, everyone can get involved in celebrating their linguistic and cultural diversity through creative poetry writing as there are options to enter in either the Mother Tongue or Other Tongue category.
We are in the process of finalising poetry workshops for teachers, which will take place towards the end of September/beginning of October. Further details will follow soon.
In the meantime, you can find out more about this year's competition and previous events on our MTOT website and register your school to take part!
Read more...
26 August 2016 (SCILT)
SCILT's packs of materials to celebrate European Day of Languages 2016 have now sold out! We are delighted to know there are so many schools on board to celebrate this year’s event.
Don’t worry if you are too late to order materials. You can still visit our website for a range of ideas and resources to help your school to mark the day. We would love to hear how schools across Scotland celebrate the day. Email us (scilt@strath.ac.uk) with a short summary and some photos, and we will feature your event on this year’s EDL blog.
Read more...
25 August 2016 (Edinburgh Filmhouse)
The Edinburgh Filmhouse invites primary and secondary teachers to an informal meeting and introduction to their autumn schools programme on Monday 29 August 2016.
On Monday 5 September there will also be a free screening for teachers to watch one of the films from the forthcoming French Film Festival and discuss practical ways it can be used with pupils.
Visit the Filmhouse website for full details of these events and film screenings for schools during the autumn term.
Read more...
Bilingualism workshops
25 August 2016 (SCILT)
SCILT is delighted to be able to offer a series of national workshops in collaboration with Bilingualism Matters and Glasgow City Council’s EAL Service which will showcase the benefits of bilingualism and consider practical strategies teachers can use to promote bilingualism in their classrooms. We will offer ideas on how to engage bilingual learners more and support literacy skills across both languages.
These free workshops are aimed at general class practitioners across Early Years, Primary and Secondary, not specifically for the MFL and languages community so please feel free to distribute to all teachers across your network or Local Authority.
Attached is a flyer with further information about dates, venues and how to book.
Please note there are only a few remaining places on the Aberdeen workshop - all other venues are now full.
24 August 2016 (The Scotsman)
A scheme aimed to widen the availability of subject choices for teenagers in the Western Isles is to benefit from a massive funding boost.
Gaelic virtual school the e-Sgoil, announced by Gaelic agency Bòrd na Gàidhlig in March, will be based in Stornoway and initially focus on Highers, Advanced Highers and supporting teachers in training.
e-Sgoil will allow secondary pupils across the Western Isles to access more curriculum subjects through online classes.
It will be developed thanks to £550,000 in Scottish Government funding and £150,000 from Bord na Gaidhlig.
Read more...
24 August 2016 (The National)
The National’s own Scots language columnist and respected poet Rab Wilson has been appointed the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum’s scriever in residence.
The new writer in residence at the birthplace of Scotia’s bard in Alloway was previously Robert Burns Writing Fellow in Scots for Dumfries and Galloway and is a weel kent figure on the Burns scene.
An award-winning poet, Rab has produced many collections of poetry, chiefly written in the Scots language.
Read more...
21 August 2016 (The News on Sunday)
Hidden behind Edinburgh’s picturesque and dreamy scenery is the Scots’ struggle to bring the indigenous Gaelic language back to life.
Read more...
20 August 2016 (BBC Radio Scotland)
Listen to the BBC Radio Scotland series exploring the history of the Scottish language.
Read more...
19 August 2016 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut in Glasgow offers a range of courses at different levels with new term courses starting in September. Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full details and to enrol.
Read more...
French classes 2016-17
19 August 2016 (Alliance Française / Institut Français)
New session adult and children's classes commence in September at both the Alliance Française in Glasgow and the Institut Français in Edinburgh. Follow the appropriate link below for more details and to enrol:
18 August 2016 (The Herald)
Polish could be taught in Scottish schools as part of moves to make EU nationals feel more welcome in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.
The Scottish Government said it would consider introducing Polish language qualifications during a debate on the impact of Britain's decision to leave the EU held in Edinburgh.
Education Secretary John Swinney said he would “look very carefully” at giving Polish a place on the curriculum alongside subjects such as French and German - an idea proposed by a member of the audience.
Read more...
18 August 2016 (SCILT)
Douglas Academy is a six year non-denominational, co-educational, comprehensive school serving Milngavie, Craigton and Baldernock. The current school roll is 994.
The school demonstrates a strong ethos of fairness and equality and encourages a strong pupil voice at both departmental and whole school level. Read how pupils and teachers work together to make the language department such a success and for some interesting ideas on the implementation of 1+2.
Read more...
16 August 2016 (SCILT)
Renfrew High School is a six-year, non-denominational comprehensive school which serves the burgh of Renfrew. It is situated on the south side of the River Clyde several miles to the west of Glasgow. Its associated primaries are Arkleston Primary School, Kirklandneuk Primary School and Newmains Primary School The school was opened in 1975 and has a capacity of 1287.
In addition to the current provision of French as L2, find out how Renfrew High and its associated primaries are taking a cluster approach to delivering Spanish as an L3.
Read more...
15 August 2016 (The Scotsman)
John Swinney is being urged to ditch the SNP’s flagship Scottish Baccalaureate qualification after it emerged that only 103 pupils achieved the award this year.
The qualification was introduced seven years ago with the aim of raising the profile of sciences and languages in schools.
But it has suffered from a lack of interest among pupils more focussed on Highers, which are traditionally seen as the route to university and employment.
Labour now say it should be replaced with a new Scottish Graduation Certificate for the senior phase of secondary school, which would involve vocational courses, work experience, voluntary work and traditional exams.
Read more...
Enhancing Employability through Language Skills and Intercultural Learning
9 August 2016 (SCILT)
As part of our cross-sector collaboration, SCILT teamed up with the Open University Scotland to hold an event to support and promote language learning in the College sector. ‘Enhancing Employability through Language Skills and Intercultural Learning’ brought together colleagues from Further Education with representatives from both public and private sectors to focus on the importance of languages and intercultural understanding as key skills in developing Scotland’s young workforce. Recognising the benefits of language learning to individuals, trade, business and society as a whole, the Scottish Funding Council has made this one of their strategic priorities, aiming to increase the number of young people with practical language skills.
More information can be found on the attached summary report from the event.
6 August 2016 (The Herald)
The powerful body established to address the dominance of Scottish landowners who own huge tracts of the country will include a Gaelic speaker among a six-strong panel.
The new Scottish Land Commission will be tasked with transforming land ownership across the country following concerns that fewer than 500 people, some anonymous, own more than half of Scotland’s land.
Set up in the wake the Land Reform Act, ministers are now seeking applications for candidates to sit on the robust new board that could resurrect the most controversial land reform proposal, to impose an upper limit of the amount of land anyone person can own in Scotland.
Read more...
4 August 2016 (Creative Scotland)
Le Petit Monde is a puppet theatre company based in Edinburgh, creating shows that introduce young children and their families to the French language and culture through authentic French-speaking puppets.
We spoke to Artistic Director Tania Czajka about developing her practice and her latest creation - The Wonderful World of Lapin - which appears as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next week.
Read more...
1 August 2016 (RZSS)
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's 'Beyond the Panda' programme for schools has been designed to enable learners to explore a variety of topics within the overall context of giant pandas and China. The programme offers different activities to cater for primary and secondary pupils.
See the attached flyer for more information and how to get involved. Or visit the RZSS website for more information about the organisation and their work.
Read more...
29 July 2016 (TESS)
Experts say extra funding is vital if the government's 1+2 foreign languages programme is to succeed.
Read the full article in TESS online, 29 July 2016, pages 8-9 (subscription required).
Read more...
7 July 2016 (Education Scotland)
This publication from Education Scotland is a suite of advice, frameworks and resources to support primary teachers to plan for depth and progression in modern language learning experiences. These resources were developed in conjunction with primary practitioners who deliver L2 and L3 experiences.
Visit Education Scotland's National Improvement Hub website for more information.
Read more...
5 July 2016 (SCILT)
Get a feel for all the shenanigans during last week’s Train the Trainer Summer School. Hosted by SCILT and Education Scotland at the University of Strathclyde city centre campus TTT4, brought together a committed group of 40 educators from 15 local authorities and 2 teacher education institutions.
Read more...
5 July 2016 (Scottish Government)
The independent review of the implementation of the 1+2 languages policy recently undertaken by the Association of Directors of Education Scotland (ADES) is now available to download from the Scottish Government’s website.
Read more...
4 July 2016 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has published L3 audit tools for primary and secondary on the National Improvement Hub website. These tools will help practitioners to gauge whether their proposals fulfil the criteria to provide a suitable L3 experience.
Visit the website for more information.
Read more...
24 June 2016 (Heriot-Watt University)
The SCHOLympics is a multi-disciplinary, scholarly competition that is open to all students who have access to SCHOLAR via their individual username and password. It features an extensive range of questions from the subjects that are currently available in the SCHOLAR programme, including a Mandarin listening comprehension which requires speakers or headphones, and questions from our brand new, soon to be published, English courses. The questions are set at Higher level or below.
The competition will be open between Monday 25 July until Wednesday 28 August 2016.
Visit the SCHOLAR website to find out more.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
News from language & education organisations
24 June 2016 (SCEL)
Have you completed a practice-based enquiry project recently? If so, you’re probably looking for a chance to share your findings. In which case, you’ll definitely want to sign up to participate in the Enquire Connect Engage events that SCEL is hosting this autumn.
SCEL supported Pedagoo’s EnquiryMeet last November. Inspired by its success, we have taken the concept of a teacher-led forum to connect over practitioner enquiry and we are running with it!
Enquire Connect Engage, or #scelenquire if you prefer, will provide opportunities for practitioners to share:
- the findings from their own small scale practice-based enquiry projects, and
- practical advice on how to go about investigating classroom practice
Visit the SCEL website for information on how to submit your proposal or to register interest in attending.
Read more...
21 June 2016 (SQA)
The SQA will be running a programme of subject-specific Understanding Standards events from October 2016 to January 2017 to help teachers understand the standards required for course assessment in National Qualifications. The majority of these events will focus on course assessment at Advanced Higher, although there will also be a number of additional events for other qualifications where a specific need has been identified.
The events will be led by our Qualifications Development staff and are intended for subject specialists from SQA centres. There will be a maximum of one delegate place per centre, per subject.
Attendance at any of these events can be used to contribute to Continued Professional Development (CPD). CPD certificates will be available on the Events Booking System shortly after each event.
Find out more about the programme of events and how to book your place on the SQA website.
Read more...
Mathematiques sans Frontieres 2016
20 June 2016 (North Lanarkshire Council)
North Lanarkshire Council in association with Heriot Watt University once again organised 
the “Mathematiques sans Frontieres” competition across Scotland this year.
63 teams took part from 39 schools and 18 schools entered an S5 team.
The competition requires one question to be answered using a foreign language.
The winners in S4 were Renfrew High and the S5 winners and overall winners were St Aloysius College.
The prize giving was held on Friday 17 June at Heriot Watt University. Gavin Reid gave an informative talk on probability which resulted in one lucky pupil winning an Amazon gift voucher!
16 June 2016 (BBC News)
Children at a Glasgow primary school have been using comics to help them learn French.
Artist Rossie Stone, who is dyslexic, decided to try a different approach to picking up another language and designed the comic strips to be educational and fun.
The move has been popular with teachers and pupils with the project now being rolled out in five schools across Scotland.
BBC Scotland's Catriona Renton has gone back to school to report from Glasgow.
See the video report on the BBC website.
Read more...
15 June 2016 (University of Strathclyde)
This is a part-time accredited specialist course for all teachers working with bilingual learners. It’s open to qualified teachers as well as allied professional workers such as speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.
You’ll enhance your knowledge and practice of innovative approaches to curriculum design and delivery for bilingual learners.
Find out more about the course content, entry requirements and how to apply on the University of Strathclyde website. Application deadline: end of June for September 2016 start.
Read more...
13 June 2016 (SQA)
The SQA has just published Spanish Verification Key Messages Round 2. The document can be accessed on the Advanced Higher Modern Languages page of the SQA website, under the Verification and Course Reports section.
Read more...
10 June 2016 (EIFF)
The following modern language screenings are being offered for schools in Scotland:
- French language primary screening (P4-P7) - The Canterville Ghost
21 June 2016, 10.00 am, Cineworld Fountain Park - Spanish language secondary screening - The Olive Tree
22 June 2016, 10:00 am, Cineworld Fountain Park
Visit the Edinburgh International Film Festival website for more information and to make a booking.
Read more...
10 June 2016 (SCILT / CISS)
It’s Launch Day! The brand new professional learning menus for SCILT and CISS are out now!
The focus of both CLPL menus is on supporting teachers and making connections between languages and other high profile aspects of Scottish education such as the Developing Young Workforce, raising attainment and parental engagement agendas.
As always, our CLPL comes to local authorities for no charge. Nada, zilch, gratis!
There are both sector specific and cross-sector workshop options to choose from. In addition, we are also happy to develop bespoke inputs to match your particular professional learning needs, just get in touch.
Don’t hang about though! Bookings have already started coming in and calendars at SCILT and CISS are filling up fast. Please contact scilt@strath.ac.uk with your request in writing.
P.S. Remember to keep a look out on the bulletin for other professional learning opportunities that will be taking place at SCILT HQ and on Glow during the year. If you don't already receive our weekly e-bulletin, make sure you don't miss out on updates and subscribe now!
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
CPD,
Language Teaching,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news,
CISS news
9 June 2016 (Articulate Language Camps)
Articulate Language Camps are based in Scotland and offer a variety of programmes from school day camps to residential summer camps as well as exam revision and CPD for teachers.
Tuition is offered in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German to learners aged 3-17, with a unique method of teaching through digital media projects, such as animation and podcasting, and adventure activities which take learning into the great outdoors. So, whether campers are taking an archery class in German, singing campfire songs in French or making a film in Spanish, they are having fun while learning in a meaningful way.
New this year is the International Camp in Italian. Find out more from camp leader, Lisa, in this short video 'Una breve introduzione ai nostri programmi' and for further information about Articulate Language Camps and all their programmes, visit the website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
CPD,
Immersion,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
Teacher Education,
News from language & education organisations
9 June 2016 (Goethe-Institut)
Are you planning a visit to a German-speaking country, would you like to be able to speak with German-speaking friends in their native tongue or would you like to learn a bit of German just for fun? If you are a complete beginner, this one-week intensive course is for you!
The course will run from 27 June to 2 July 2016. Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and enrol by 17 June.
Read more...
9 June 2016 (SCILT / Education Scotland)
The Scottish Education Awards took place on 8 June in the Glasgow City Hotel. Congratulations to the winning schools in the language categories!
- St Michael's Primary, Dumfries & Galloway - Making Languages Come Alive
- Abercorn School, Glasgow - Gaelic Education
For more information about the awards and the finalists in each category, visit the Scottish Education Awards website.
Read more...
8 June 2016 (Education Scotland)
The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education has forwarded on this invite from the Italian Ministry for a Scottish secondary school to participate in a learning experience focused on global interdependence, rights, migration, asylum seekers and refugees.
The successful school would engage pupils in preparatory learning experiences in their own school during September to prepare for a conference in Lampedusa, Italy, in October.
Visit Education Scotland's Learning Blog for more information about the opportunity. Schools should apply by 16 June 2016.
Read more...
2 June 2016 (Institut français)
The Institut français offers one-week summer intensive courses in July and August with a concession fee for teachers. This 15 hour-course will focus on speaking skills through theatre or radio workshops.
Four levels are available : beginners (A1), elementary (A2), intermediate (B1) and advanced (B2)
For more information, see the
Summer 2016 brochure or visit the Institut français website for details of all the courses, events and resources they offer.
Read more...
1 June 2016 (Chinese Consulate General, Edinburgh)
On 27 May, the Scotland-China Association (SCA) Primary School Art Competition Prizegiving was held in the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Chinese Consul General Pan Xinchun attended the event and presented the prize to the winners.
Consul General Pan expressed his congratulations to the winners, sayiing he was very pleased to see so many students entered the competition and created lots of excellent art works centered on China. Though they have never been to China, the works of Chinese Dragon, Giant Panda and Zodiac Monkey they created are so lively and impressive. With the development of the China-Scotland relations, Chinese language and culture become more and more popular among Scottish teenagers. So far, 5 Confucius Institutes have been established in Scotland, and more than 20,000 primary and secondary students are learning Chinese language and culture.
Read more...
Donkey Xote for Primary Schools in the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival
31 May 2016 (Consejería de Educación)
After the great success of previous years, Edinburgh University, in collaboration with the Consejería de Educación, is going to launch the third Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival (ESFF) from 6-13 October 2016. We would be glad to share this experience with you. For this reason we are currently planning our programme which also includes an animation film particularly suitable for primary school pupils (P6 and P7).
See the attached flyer for more information.
31 May 2016 (TeachMeet Scotland)
On Wednesday 21 September 2016 TeachMeet Connect is being launched, a series of TeachMeets happening across Scotland on the same day where teachers will get together and share what they do. Coinciding with the Scottish Learning Festival, this will be a celebration of all the good things happening in classrooms across Scotland and a chance to explore how TeachMeets can support professional development.
Whether you’ve been to loads of TeachMeets before or this will be your first, this is your chance to get connected to other teachers in Scotland who want to share too. We’d love you to get involved and hold a TeachMeet Connect of your own.
Why not set up a TeachMeet devoted to language teaching and learning? It's a great opportunity to meet like-minded people and share ideas and best practice. Visit the website to find out more and to register your interest in taking part.
Read more...
31 May 2016 (SQA)
The SQA has recently published their National Qualification update for Modern Languages.
Read more...
27 May 2016 (University of Strathclyde)
The University of Strathclyde's 2016 summer programme includes options to learn French, German, Italian and Spanish as well as a taster session 'Break into Hebrew.'
Visit the website to access the programme giving full details of the courses available over the summer.
Read more...
25 May 2016 (EIFF)
The programme for the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2016 taking place from 15-26 June has just been launched.
There are two foreign language films showing as part of the Junior festival strand. Find out more about each by following the appropriate link:
- The Canterville Ghost (Le Fantôme de Canterville, French, age 8+) - an aristocratic French ghost tries to prevent a family moving into her castle
- The Shamer’s Daughter (Skammerens datter, Dutch, age 10+) - a medieval fantasy epic
For more information about this year's festival and all the films on offer, visit the EIFF 2016 website.
Read more...
24 May 2016 (The Herald)
Two Polish police officers have joined Scotland's national force in a pioneering move to tackle criminality in the country's biggest migrant community.
The men have been seconded for six months as a pilot scheme that may be expanded in the future as EU law enforcement agencies tighten co-operation.
Senior officers at Police Scotland say the two officers have already helped on crucial inquiries involving Poles as perpetrators, victims or witnesses of crimes.
Chief Superintendent Paul Main said: "They are here to advise us and to help us on criminal and other inquiries. "They don't have the power to arrest anybody or question anybody so they are always with Scottish officers.
"But they can assist us with understanding cultural and linguistic issues and connecting with law enforcement in Poland to deal with everything from organised crime to domestic abuse."
[..] However, Poles would also like to see Scottish police raise their knowledge of migrant communities, including learning the language.
Read more...
23 May 2016 (Education Scotland)
Finalists in the 17 categories for the Scottish Education Awards 2016 have now been announced.
Congratulations and good luck to the schools nominated in the following language categories:
Making Languages Come Alive
- St Michael's Primary School
- St Blane's Primary School
- Dalmilling Primary School
Gaelic Education Award
- Abercorn School
- Sgoil an Iochdair agus Sgoil Dhalabroig
- Bun Sgoil Chnoc a' Chonaisg | Whinhill Primary
More information about the awards can be found on the Scottish Education Awards website.
Read more...
9 May 2016 (Radio Lingua)
Radio Lingua is delighted to announce the launch of High Five Spanish which follows a similar model to our French resource. Learners can join Scottish learner Sophie who is learning Spanish, in Spain, with her friends Marina and Miguel.
We’re making the trial version of High Five Spanish available to all schools until 30 June. All existing High Five French schools are ‘pre-approved’ and the Spanish trial will automatically appear on their account. Any other schools should register for the free trial on the Radio Lingua High Five Spanish website and we’ll set up trial accounts for them. The free trial provides access to the first ten lessons of the series including video and audio resources, teachers’ notes, classroom ideas and activity sheets for pupils.
Visit the High Five Spanish website for full details about the resource.
Read more...
6 May 2016 (TESS)
Some 1,000 children gathered in Perth for a musical event celebrating an imaginative approach to the national 1+2 primary school languages policy.
"The Art of Music Ooh La La La" brought P5-7s to the city's concert hall to sing French songs inspired by famous paintings.
Read the full item in TESS online 6 May 2016 edition, page 8, 'A week in primary' section (subscription required).
Read more...
Related Links
Singing days get a French twist in 2016 (Perth & Kinross Council, April 2016)
6 May 2016 (SCILT)
SCILT, in partnership with the University Council for Modern Languages Scotland (UCMLS), held a series of Business Brunch events (formerly Business Breakfast) across Scotland, during January and February this year where pupils from S3-S6 heard from a range of business leaders who view language skills as key to the growth and success of their company.
Find out more about the events on our new webpage.
Read more...
5 May 2016 (Scottish Book Trust)
Bookbug Week 2016 will take place between 16-22 May and will celebrate ‘Around the world with Bookbug’.
This international theme will inspire children and adults alike to explore songs and rhymes from around the globe. A whole host of fun story, song and rhyme activities for children will be taking place in local libraries and community venues.
Visit the Scottish Book Trust website for a list of dates and venues around Scotland.
Read more...
3 May 2016 (University of Strathclyde)
S@S Accelerate is a one-week programme in July, held at the University of Strathclyde, for pupils at the end of S4, S5 and S6. It aims to provide a targeted focus on the pupils’ chosen area of academic interest, giving them a head start on the road to their chosen career.
One of the ten challenges on offer is the Languages Challenge. A team of academic experts has put together a week-long ‘Giga Challenge’ in the area of languages that will allow pupils to find out all about the area and the career opportunities open to them.
Enabling students to participate in group challenges that use their language skills, and see the role that languages play in the world, will make them feel much more enthusiastic about languages in the school classroom and going on to study them at University.
Further information about the Languages Challenge is available on the attached flyer.
For full details of all the challenges available under the S@S Accelerate programme and information on how to apply, visit the University of Strathclyde Accelerate webpage.
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30 April 2016 (SALT)
The SALT schools competition 2016 is open to all students studying a modern language in a Scottish primary or secondary school.
This year’s topic is Friendship and Solidarity and pupils are invited to submit a poster, Powerpoint presentation, or a short video (maximum 3 mins) containing foreign language expressions related to the topic.
Entry deadline is 2 September 2016.
Visit the SALT website for more information and a poster to download for your classroom.
Read more...
29 April 2016 (TESS)
TESS infographic on modern languages uptake in England and Scotland comparing 2012-13 and 2014-15 academic sessions.
Access the article in TESS online, 29 April 2016, page 11. (Subscription required).
Read more...
29 April 2016 (SCILT)
The celebration event for MTOT 2015-16 saw 20 award winners receive their prizes on the main Piazza stage at the SECC on Saturday 12 March 2016 as part of the wider Language Show Live Scotland event.
Pupils took the opportunity to perform their poems and rhymes to the audience, showcasing the many languages used by children and young people both in school and at home. The event drew in a huge crowd, with passers-by stopping to also see and hear their work.
Find out more about the day on our MTOT Celebration Event webpage, where you can also find links to the list of winners, pupil videos and recitals, the anthology, press articles and photos from the event.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone again for their support and participation, which helped make the competition and celebration such a success. We hope to run MTOT again next year, so make sure you sign up to our e-bulletin for updates, or follow us on our social media sites Twitter or Facebook.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Language Skills,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
28 April 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow has a number of courses and exam sessions coming up in the summer. Follow the appropriate links below for more information:
For more information about the Alliance Française and what they can offer, visit their website.
Read more...
22 April 2016 (Staffin Community Trust / Bòrd na Gàidhlig)
Àrainneachd, Cànan is Dualchas (‘environment, language and heritage’) is a ten-day practical course for Gaelic speakers that explores the strong links between the language and the Scottish environment. It is open to all fluent speakers and near-fluent learners of the language who would like to continue to develop their fluency.
It will run again in North Skye in 2016, from 25 to 29 July and from 01 to 05 August. Students can attend either or both weeks.
Visit the website for more information about the course.
Read more...
22 April 2016 (The Economist)
Travellers at the airport in Inverness navigate a revolving door adorned with posters urging them to teach their children Gaelic. “Being bilingual is magic! Bilingual children find it easier to learn a third language,” claims one which depicts a cherubic toddler waving a magic wand over a rabbit in a hat. “Give your child a flying start—learn Gaelic,” says another.
The posters are part of a larger effort in Scotland to preserve its Celtic language, which was disappearing at a precipitous rate until recently. In 1755 almost a quarter of Scotland’s people spoke Gaelic. A new education law in 1872 forbade the language in classrooms, and children caught speaking it got the belt. Another statute in 1918 required authorities to “make adequate provision for Gaelic,” but by 1981 only 1.6% of people in Scotland spoke it. Many of them were older folk or clustered in the Highlands and islands. Their slim ranks thinned by 21% in the ten years from 1981 and by 11% in the one after that.
Now, however, Gaelic is fighting back. The proportion of Scots who speak it barely dipped between 2001 and 2011, when the most recent census was finished. And more than before are under the age of 20.
Read more...
19 April 2016 (SCILT)
We have summarised the SQA National 5 Course Reports for all languages. These reports contain important information on how candidates performed in last year's exams. Teachers may find it useful to share some of the key messages of these reports with candidates in advance of this year's exams.
The summary document can be found on the Essentials for Planning in the Senior Phase section of our website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
National Qualifications,
SCILT news,
SQA,
Urdu
19 April 2016 (SCILT)
We have developed a pack of resources on Silence de la Mer which are suitable for Advanced Higher French pupils who have limited teaching input.
The pack includes information on the Specialist Study Unit; suggested timescales; character analysis; themes; suggested portfolio titles and a glossary of vocabulary.
The resource can be accessed on the Senior Phase French AH resources section of our website.
Read more...
New French and Polish resources
19 April 2016 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland is pleased to launch new resources for French and Polish. Both resources include teacher’s notes, activity packs, film clips and sound files.
The French resource is designed as an L2 learning journey, aimed at second level learners and involves Astérix on a journey to Scotland, based on the story ‘Astérix chez les Pictes’
The Polish resource supports an L3 beginners’ language experience and can be used in either primary or secondary as an L3 insert. The language journey here is based on an animated film, based around the scientist Copernicus.
Links to both resources can also be found in the Primary and S1-S3 classroom resource sections of the SCILT website.
19 April 2016 (Education Scotland)
Social Enterprise Academy and Education Scotland are working in partnership to deliver an Institute of Leadership and Management Award for teachers of Gaelic Education. The next Leadership Award for Gaelic Education will commence on 20 and 21 May 2016. It will be based in Strathpeffer.
If you wish to enrol for this award or require more information visit the Education Scotland learning blog.
Read more...
8 April 2016 (TESS)
Entries to Mother Tongue Other Tongue were submitted in 36 languages.
(Read the item in TESS online, page 8, under the 'a week in primary' feature - subscription required)
Read more...
7 April 2016 (EuroTalk blog)
The Scottish Government has committed to every child learning a second language at the age of 5. Alongside this, they’ll learn an additional language in P5, which means children will know 3 languages by the time they leave school. It’s called the 1+2 policy and we think it’s a great pledge, as there are so many reasons why children should learn another language.
Earlier this week an article came out stating that ‘bilingual babies are smarter’. Growing up learning or hearing a second language helps to increase their learning capabilities including problem solving and memory. This means not only do children benefit from knowing a second language; it also helps them improve across all other subjects that they’re learning.
Read more...
31 March 2016 (SQA)
Latest updates on the new National Qualifications are available on the SQA website.
If you're a teaching professional looking for a new challenge, included in this update are additional marker opportunities in 2016 for French and Spanish Higher exams.
Read more...
31 March 2016 (SQA)
SQA has published Modern Languages Audio Presentations providing additional support for centres and practitioners. The presentations provide a detailed overview of the standards and assessment for both Unit and Course assessment.
The presentations can be downloaded from the SQA website.
Read more...
31 March 2016 (Daily Record)
Stonehouse Primary and Nursery pupils have created and published their own booked called A Daunner Roon Stonehoose.
The book was written in Scots to celebrate the history and continued use of the Scots dialect.
Published by Whitewater Publishing with the support of publisher, Mary Thomson, every child in the nursery and school have contributed to the poems and stories in the book.
Each piece in the book describes life in Stonehouse, from playing in the park to going to school to popping out to the Post Office!
Read more...
29 March 2016 (Southern Reporter)
The Abbotsford Trust and Burgh Primary School,
Galashiels have been working on a project exploring Sir Walter Scott’s famous home.
Primary 6 pupils have recently visited Abbotsford to try out three different sessions from the Abbotsford Schools Programme.
Pupils explored the historic house and wrote poems based on the treasures that Sir Walter Scott collected, and met Mrs Oakley, a visitor from Scott’s day with lots of weird and wonderful traditional tales to share.
They also discovered Sir Walter’s life and work in the visitor centre exhibition and created drawings of the house and its grotesque clay gargoyles.
Pupils then used what they discovered and learned back in the classroom to create a timeline of Scott’s life, where they also investigated differences between life then and now using a range of primary sources.
Pupils also created interactive games, thought about planning and budgeting for a visit too Abbotsford, identified French vocabulary to describe some of the artefacts in the house and wrote their own evaluation reports reflecting on their visits.
Read more...
29 March 2016 (Scottish Government)
In a global, multi-cultural society, being able to communicate in more than one language is increasingly vital. It is important for the nation’s prosperity that young people are attracted to learning languages and that they become confident in speaking languages other than their own.
According to the CBI's Education and Skills survey 2015, over three quarters of businesses (77%) have a need for language skills among their employees, with over one in ten (11%) stating they would need language skills in the next few years.
The Scottish Government is committed to expanding and improving language learning so that our young people are equipped with the skills and competencies needed for the global economy. That is why we have made an ambitious languages commitment to introduce a norm for language learning based on the EU 1+2 model. This will ensure that all young people in Scotland have excellent language learning opportunities from a young age, as a normal and expected part of a broad, relevant school education.
Ken Lindsay tells us of his experiences of learning languages and how they have helped him in his role as an International Brand Ambassador for Chivas Brothers Ltd.
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28 March 2016 (Fèisean nan Gàidheal)
This year's theatre summer school for Scots Gaelic students aged 14-18 will take place from 4-16 July at Portree in Skye.
Participants receive training and guidance in a wide range of skills - acting, voice, movement, dance, creative skills and props in general. The topics are taught by experienced team of excellent actors and other artists. No prior knowledge of drama or theatre is necessary to take part.
For further information about the summer school, visit the website.
Read more...
25 March 2016 (TESS)
Orkney has already started trial projects on Japanese culture and language in its two secondaries, Kirkwall Grammar and Stromness Academy with plans now to extend provision to its primaries.
Read the item in TESS, page 8, under 'A week in primary'. (Subscription required).
Read more...
24 March 2016 (Alliance Française)
We are now enrolling students for Term D which will take place between Tuesday 19 April and Saturday 13 June. There will be a new Beginners 1 class taking place every Tuesday between 6-9pm.
In addition to our general French classes ranging from Beginner to Advanced levels, we will be running three new add-on classes for Term D to help you improve your French - Conversation, Grammar or Phonetics classes.
To find out more, follow the relevant link below:
For further information about the Alliance Française and what they can offer, visit their website.
Read more...
22 March 2016 (Paisley Daily Express)
More than 500 children from all over the world are being helped to speak English fluently by a remarkable council project.
Young people, many from Eastern Europe and some newly-arrived refugees from Syria, are getting to grips with the tongue as it is spoken in Scotland, thanks to Renfrewshire Council’s English as an Additional Language Service.
And not only that – they are also being encouraged to keep in touch with their own native language through literature.
Supporting the primary-age children in the scheme is teacher Ruth Cunningham, who herself speaks fluent Spanish.
As revealed in the Paisley Daily Express, three of Ms Cunningham’s pupils – variously from Norway, Hungary and Lithuania – recently had great success in a poetry competition organised by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages. (Also see the attached, related article courtesy of the Paisley Daily Express).
Read more...
Volunteering opportunity for French speaking students
21 March 2016 (Xchange Scotland)
Xchange Scotland, a Glasgow-based youth-led charity, has a brand-new unique volunteering opportunity for French-speaking students.
Due to our strong partnership with French organisation, Solidarites Jeunesses, we will be running a 4-week long Glasgow-based volunteering project for 6 young French volunteers which aims to develop their skills and intercultural understanding and also benefit local communities of Glasgow.
We are looking for
local French-speaking volunteers/students who would like to join the group of French volunteers and practise their language skills/help us with project organisation. The level of French language of local volunteers should be preferably between A2-C2 level. We will also be looking for a translator for the project.
We believe this is a great opportunity to practise French language with native speakers here in Glasgow and also to develop organisation and communication skills of young people.
Please see the attached PDF for more details about the project and to register interest by 11 April.
Spanish course for teachers and PGDE students in Scotland
17 March 2016 (Consejería de Educación)
The Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Embassy Education Office in the UK offer Spanish online courses for Primary and Secondary school teachers in Scotland as well as PGDE students through Aula Virtual de Español Global (AVE Global), an interactive platform specifically designed by the Instituto Cervantes for the teaching and learning of Spanish.
Information about the new 11-week language course for school teachers (Primary and Secondary) and PGDE students in Scotland, which will take place from 11 April 2016 is available on the attached document. Enrolment open now!
Mother Tongue Other Tongue 2015-16 finale!
15 March 2016 (SCILT)
Our Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition came to its finale at the Languages Show Live at the SECC, Glasgow on Saturday 12 March. Pupils, parents and teachers celebrated the children’s creativity at the event which gave the opportunity for the children and young people to perform their poems to the audience.
The event drew in a huge audience, with passers-by stopping to also hear their poetry and see them being presented with trophies and prizes from Atta Yaqub, SFA Equity Officer and actor, and Juana Adcock, bilingual poet and translator. The MTOT 2015/16 anthology was also launched, with children and teachers taking home copies containing their wonderful poems.
With over 400 children participating, the hardest task was to decide upon our winners and highly commended entries from each category. Our award winners are as follows:
| Category | Name | School |
| Mother Tongue | | |
| P1 - 3 (Winner) | Simon Paulicek (Czech) | St Paul’s, Shettleston |
| P1 - 3 (Highly Commended) | Emili Harris (German) | Preston Street Primary |
| P4 – 6 (Winner) | Daniel Homstol (Norwegian) | Bishopton Primary |
| P4 – 6 (Highly Commended) | Milmante Dzisevic (Russian) | St Fergus Primary |
| P4 – 6 (Highly Commended) | Andras Poszmik (Hungarian) | St Anne’s Primary |
| P7 – S1 (Winner) | Weronika Jargielo (Polish) | Douglas Academy |
| P7 – S1 (Highly Commended) | Blanka Szopa (Polish) | St Paul’s Primary |
| P7 – S1 (Highly Commended) | Nina Bourdarias (French) | Inveralmond Community High |
| S2 – 3 (Winner) | Keren Mingole (BSL) | St Roch’s Secondary |
| S2 – 3 (Highly Commended) | Solange Becquart (French) | Ellon Academy |
| Senior (Winner) | Lin Meng (Mandarin) | Ellon Academy |
| | | |
| Other Tongue | | |
| P1 – 3 (Winner) | Freya Mole (BSL) | Preston Street Primary |
| P4 - 6 (Winner) | Khadidja Chaher (French) | Netherlee Primary |
| P4 - 6 (Highly Commended | Avelon Mungersdorf (French) | St Ninian’s Primary |
| P7 – S1 (Winner) | Ailbhe Murphy (Gaelic) | Glasgow Gaelic School |
| P7 – S1 (Highly Commended) | Maggie Lawson (French) | Douglas Academy |
| S2 – 3 (Winner) | Gregor Murray (Spanish) | St Margaret’s Academy |
| S2 – 3 (Highly Commended) | Aimee Campbell (French) | Inveralmond CHS |
| Senior (Winner) | Ronan McCart (Spanish) | St Margaret’s Academy |
| Senior (Highly Commended) | Eleanor Pain (Italian) | George Heriot’s School |
Once we have published photographs from the day and the on-line version of the anthology, we will post via the weekly e-bulletin. If you don't already receive the news bulletin you can sign-up to receive this each Friday during term time.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
UWS Research Project on 1+2
15 March 2016 (UWS)
We are seeking to make contact with primaries who would want to take part into our 1+2 Team Research Project.
We are investigating Primary School practitioners' perception of issues associated with the implementation of the 1+2 Language policy in terms of management (recommendations and related issues), staff engagement, pedagogy and methodologies. Other possible aspects to be considered could be the perceived impact on pupils' engagement and attainment. We have started to work with local primaries but we need more to participate in this project!
If interested, please contact: Laurence.Giraud-Johnstone@uws.ac.uk
14 March 2016 (ASLS)
The Association for Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS) is running a creative writing competition for stories in Scots for S1 and S2 pupils.
Pupils should write a short story of not more than 750 words in length and submit their entries by 31 May 2016.
A slide presentation is attached which can be used to support the teaching of creative writing in Scots. A further document is also attached containing examples of previous entries.
Further information about the competition and how to enter can be found on the ASLS website.
Read more...
10 March 2016 (SCILT)
We’ll be at Language Show Live Scotland at the SECC in Glasgow for the 2-day celebration of all things languages this weekend, so if you’re attending come and see us at stand 432. Our CISS colleagues will be based at stand 440 and we’re also running a number of seminars over the course of the event.
See the Language Show Live website for more information. Hope to see you there!
Read more...
Posted in:
All Languages,
Scotland,
1+2,
Celebrating Languages,
CPD,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT,
Teacher Education,
SCILT news
10 March 2016 (Theatre sans accents)
At Theatre Sans Accents, we believe that languages should engage with your mouth and your ear before engaging with your hand and pen… The theatrical form provides a safe and relaxed environment out of the classroom to explore foreign languages in concrete situations.
We are currently offering workshops in French and English as an additional language.
All levels are welcome with workshops for adults and children.
Term starts week commencing Monday 11 April until Saturday 2 July 2016 (no break over the 12 weeks). Our summer school programme will enable you to improve and learn new linguistic skills through practical theatre techniques , you get the best out of both worlds: languages and Arts!
Visit the website for further information and how to register. Please note there is a charge to attend the workshops.
Read more...
10 March 2016 (Alliance Française)
There are still a few places left on the new 10-week Beginners 1 French course for Primary School teachers being run by Alliance Française de Glasgow between March and May 2016:
- This course is suitable for complete beginners
- 20 hours of lessons over 10 weeks tailored to the needs of Primary School teachers: classroom and speaking activities, pronunciation, communication, increase your confidence and feel more comfortable speaking French
- The course will take place on Wednesdays 3.45-5.45pm commencing 16 March 2016. (Please note this is a week later than originally advertised)
Visit the Alliance Française website for full details and to enrol.
Read more...
9 March 2016 (Language Show Live)
Scotland’s largest language event opens this weekend at 10am! Join us for an incredible celebration of languages and save time on arrival by registering for your ticket now.
At Language Show Live Scotland you’ll find a wealth of language resources, expert advice and networking opportunities to help your professional development.
Top reasons to attend:
- The best language companies exhibiting on the main show floor
- Over 30 free CPD certified seminars
- 1+2 Primary Hub supported by SCILT and Goethe Institut
- Careers Zone and CV Clinic
- Gaelic & Scots Festival
- Networking opportunities
All this and much more on your doorstep this 11-12 March. And here's the best bit: it’s all FREE to attend!
Don't delay! Register in advance for free entry tickets and avoid the queues on the day.
Language Show Live Scotland will take place at the SECC in Glasgow. Visit www.languageshowlive.co.uk/scotland for more information.
Read more...
8 March 2016 (Institut français)
The Institut français d'Ecosse supports the learning and teaching of French in Scotland and encourages cross-cultural exchange. The latest opportunities to highlight include:
- La francophonie - from 12 to 20 March 2016 French language and Francophonie is celebrated around the world. The dis moi dix mots website has a variety of activities to take part in online or in class with your pupils.
- 1+2 workshops for primary schools - new French workshops for your primary class: French children books, science experiments or geography... Learn both the language and the pedagogy to conduct these activities in your class. Have a look at the training catalogue online.
- Summer intensive courses - new one-week intensive classes in July and in August. If you are not traveling to France this summer, enjoy our French immersion class in Edinburgh! See the Summer 2016 online brochure for details.
For more information about the Institut français and what they can offer, visit their website.
Read more...
7 March 2016 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) has published its first newsletter for 2016.
In this issue you can find the most up-to-date information regarding their projects and latest news, including Euroquiz heat results, developments in the Our Europe competition and information about a new project, Get Set Go, offering sessions to raise awareness of volunteering and exchange opportunities for 14-18 year olds at home and abroad - a great way to enhance their language skills!
Read more...
7 March 2016 (Bilingualism Matters)
Bilingualism Matters have just published the Spring edition of their newsletter.
Find out about the organisation's recent activities including research updates, press articles and information on upcoming and recent events around Scotland.
Read more...
3 March 2016 (Virtual Strategy )
Televerde, the global sales and marketing solutions provider, announces today it has selected Glasgow, Scotland as the location for its European headquarters and contact center.
[..] Over the course of the next 12-24 months, Televerde will hire up to 170 employees, including approximately 130 multilingual contact center agents. The Glasgow contact center will include language capabilities in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Scandinavian and Eastern European languages. Glasgow was specifically chosen as Televerde’s European launching pad based on its ability to serve the company’s customers with its multilingual talent, geographic proximity between the U.S. and continental Europe and through a high-performance partnership with Scottish Development International.
Read more...
3 March 2016 (Language Show Live)
Scotland’s largest language event opens next week at the SECC in Glasgow and will bring you the best suppliers and speakers from the language industry all under one roof.
Start planning your visit in advance to make the most of your time at the show. Here’s a few of the highlights we've picked out to get you started:
- ‘1+2: A National Overview’ with Louise Glen, Education Scotland
- ‘Contextualising Learning in the Broad General Education’ with Julie-Anne Mckenzie, SCILT
- ‘Is your Primary Language Teaching Effective?’ with Juliet Park, Yewlands Academy
- ‘Using School Partnerships to Support Languages’ with Kate Walker, British Council
This is just a taster of what’s on offer at Language Show Live Scotland. Browse our full seminar programme and discover all the other inspirational sessions we’ve planned.
This is a unique opportunity to meet national and international top industry experts all in one place in Glasgow. Don’t wait any longer and register today to receive your FREE ticket.
Read more...
26 February 2016 (TESS)
A school for deaf children has become the first in the country to offer pupils the chance to learn to sign in another language. The step was taken in order to fulfil the government's ambition that every child should learn two languages in primary.
The idea that there is only one international sign language is a widely-held misconception, says Enrique Canton, who is teaching French sign language to pupils at the Hamilton School for the Deaf in South Lanarkshire. Just as there are many spoken languages, each country has its own sign language, he explains, adding, 'Thereafter, there are regional variations, just in the same way that hearing people have regional or local accents.'
Mr Canton, who is deaf, was raised in France and, following a short spell living in Spain, moved to Scotland 15 years ago after meeting a 'Scottish lass.' He knows sign language in French, Spanish and British as well as international sign language.
(Read the full article on pages 8-9 of TESS digital online - subscription required).
Read more...
26 February 2016 (TESS)
The government is drawing up urgent proposals to save the Scottish Baccalaureate as interest in the flagship qualification spirals downwards, TESS can reveal.
It aims to publish plans within weeks after a review into the decline of the Baccalaureate. The qualification, available in science, social sciences, expressive arts and languages, was designed to encourage the type of independent learning demanded in universities.
(Read the full article on pages 6-7 of TESS online - subscription required).
Read more...
26 February 2016 (British Council)
Employing a British Council language assistant is a unique way to broaden your students understanding of the world, improve their language skills and increase their cultural awareness.
Language assistants are dynamic, enthusiastic native speakers of French, Spanish, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Russian, and are usually undergraduates or recent graduates. As we recruit language assistants directly from their home countries, their language is up-to-date, the classroom resources they provide are relevant and authentic, and they will be well placed to connect with students on their own level . Simply put, employing a language assistant provides the kind of learning experience that cannot be found elsewhere.
The deadline for applications has been extended to 31 May 2016. Visit the British Council website to find out more and to apply. Follow the relevant section on the webpage to find out specifically about employing a Chinese language assistant.
Read more...
25 February 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running a new 10-week Beginners 1 French course for Primary School teachers between March and May 2016:
- This course is suitable for complete beginners
- 20 hours of lessons over 10 weeks tailored to the needs of Primary School teachers: classroom and speaking activities, pronunciation, communication, increase your confidence and feel more comfortable speaking French
- The course will take place on Wednesdays 3.45-5.45pm between 9 March and 25 May 2016.
Visit the Alliance Française website for full details and to enrol by Wednesday 2 March.
Read more...
1+2 Primary Hub, free seminars and much more at Scotland’s largest language event
24 February 2016 (Language Show Live)
It’s not long now until Language Show Live Scotland opens its doors to Glasgow. Don't miss this incredible celebration of languages and register in advance to secure your free ticket.
Stop by the 1+2 Primary Hub where practitioners from SCILT and the Goethe Institut will be on hand to give you advice on the new 1+2 approach for language learning and delivering languages at primary level.
Elsewhere on the show floor you’ be able attend over 30 free seminars and workshops and be inspired by top industry experts. Plus attend language classes, watch cultural performances and meet the best language suppliers over two days of insight and inspiration from the best in the business.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity and register today for your FREE ticket.
11-12 March • SECC, Glasgow
19 February 2016 (TESS)
In 1995 I boarded an Aberdeen train for a marathon journey to the picturesque French town of Le Puy-en-Velay, where I was to spend a year as an English language assistant.
I'd done six years of French at school and another two at university. Now I was ready to throw myself into the land of Gainsbourg, Camus, Piaf, Truffant, Depardieu and (my main cultural reference point) Astérix. Or was I?
As the latest of several trains trundled past Bourgogne vineyards, I headed to the buffet car. I had a craving for peanuts.
Only I didn't know the French word for peanuts...
(see the Editorial, page 5 of TESS digital for the full article - TES subscription required).
Read more...
Related Links
Let’s be clear on foreign languages (TESS online, page 15) - subscription required to access.
18 February 2016 (Goethe-Institut)
Our new touring exhibition "Inventions from Germany" takes place from 21 March to 1 April 2016 and focuses on ground-breaking, German inventions which affect the daily lives of each of us and does so in an interactive way.
The exhibition promotes the concept of STEM teaching combined with German and is suitable for both, German-oriented and science-oriented school classes. We offer a guided programme (one-hour slots) with worksheet activities for school classes (group size up to 30, S4 to S6). Beginners are welcome too as English translations are provided.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for further information and to book a slot.
The exhibition is also accompanied by a dedicated website with more detailed information and resources:
Read more...
18 February 2016 (Language Show Live)
March is just a few weeks away so don’t delay and get your FREE ticket to attend Scotland’s largest language event.
Language Show Live is a unique opportunity to network with colleagues and industry experts while attending educational seminars dedicated to teachers and other language professionals.
Plus you’ll be able to meet the best suppliers from the language world and source the latest products – all under one roof.
Don’t miss out! Register today for your FREE ticket and avoid the queues on the day.
Read more...
CPD - Task-based language teaching using ICT
16 February 2016 (UWS - PETALL)
This Continuing Professional Development course will allow language teachers to further develop their knowledge of a range of ICT applications and ICT mediated strategies.
This course is appropriate for teachers of modern foreign languages in primary and secondary
schools in Scotland.
This course will introduce and explain the principles of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)
with specific reference to the work of Ellis, Willis and Nunan. It will introduce participants to the
EU-funded PETALL project including its background, aims and objectives. Particular focus will be
placed on the samples of good practice that teachers can freely access, download and adapt from
the PETALL project website.
The course will be delivered via two face-to-face sessions on 27 February and 26 March as well as online.
More information is available on the attached flyer.
11 February 2016 (Scottish Government)
Pupils in the majority of Scotland’s council areas are now learning languages in Primary 1, under the Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy.
The Scottish Government made a commitment in 2011 to introduce the model in every council by 2020 – meaning every primary school pupil will start learning a first additional language in P1 and a second by P5, continuing until the end of S3.
Five years on, 21 out of 32 local authorities will be delivering the first additional language for P1 by the end of this school year, with all councils expected to meet the commitment by 2020.
Minister for Learning, Dr Alasdair Allan, met young people speaking French, Spanish and Gaelic when he visited Edinbarnet Primary School in West Dunbartonshire today.
Dr Allan’s visit follows the recent publication of figures from the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey (SSA) in 2015 that show 89 per cent of people in Scotland think that learning a language other than English in school from the age of five is important.
Read more...
11 February 2016 (Education Scotland)
If you were unable to join the second Glow TV event held on 28 January by Education Scotland's modern languages team on progression from first to second level, the recording is now available on the Glow TV Watch Again channel (Glow login required).
Read more...
11 February 2016 (Press and Journal)
A teacher shortage at an Aberdeen secondary school means some of its pupils are missing out on modern languages.
First, second and third year pupils at Kincorth Academy are not being given language lessons, such as French of Spanish, due to staffing difficulties.
The school is also lacking a teacher for home economics.
Head teacher Grahame Whyte told a meeting of Kincorth and Leggart Community Council that about 15 staff had left before the 2016/17 academic year.
Read more...
10 February 2016 (Consejería de Educación)
The students from Hispanic Studies at Edinburgh University are putting on our annual play, 'Maribel y la extraña familia' an adapted comedy from Miguel Mihura.
I would like to invite you to bring your Spanish students, particularly 5th and 6th years, to see the performance we are putting together this year.
The play will run for three performances at 7pm on 9, 10 and 11 March at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh.
For more information visit our Facebook page.
Read more...
10 February 2016 (Language Show Live)
It’s not long now until Language Show Live Scotland opens its doors to Glasgow this 11-12 March. Don’t miss this brand new language event taking place in the heart of Scotland and celebrate languages with thousands of other language teachers and professionals.
Taking place for the first year in Glasgow, the show will offer over 30 free CPD certified seminars, support and advice from industry experts and over 80 exhibiting companies – all under one roof!
Don’t delay and book your free ticket today at
Language Show Live.
For more information and full seminar programme please visit our website.
Read more...
29 January 2016 (SCILT/UCMLS)
Back in September 2015 the University Council for Modern Languages in Scotland (UCMLS) in collaboration with SCILT held a series of regional cross-sector hub meetings in the universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde. The second round of meetings will take place in late February and early March.
As before, we want to offer teachers, 1+2 Development Officers and university languages and education staff the opportunity to network and plan joint initiatives that will support and promote language learning, including building on the Business Brunches that are currently running in January and early February.
The new meeting dates and venues are as follows:
- Saturday, 20 February, 10.00-12.00: University of St. Andrews
- Wednesday 24 February, 16.30-18.00: University of the West of Scotland, Paisley Campus
- Friday, 26 February, 14.00-16.00, Heriot Watt University, Riccarton Campus
- Wednesday, 9 March, 17.00-18.30: Inverness College (UHI)
To register your intention to attend, please complete the registration details at this link:
https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5nF2qbiyTDaFkMZ
Please note there will be a limited number of places which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. We aim to confirm your attendance either way by Friday 12 February 2016. Further details, including agenda and room numbers at each venue, will be emailed to attendees about a week before the actual event.
Read more...
29 January 2016 (Language Show Live)
Join thousands of other language teachers and find the resources you need to keep up-to-date with this fast-paced industry at Scotland’s biggest language event.
We’ve curated an extensive seminar programme to expand your knowledge, develop new skills and keep you up-to-date with industry changes. Highlights include:
- ‘1+2: A National Overview’ with Louise Glen, Education Scotland
- ‘Contextualising Learning in the Broad General Education’ with Julie-Anne Mckenzie, SCILT
- ‘Using School Partnerships to Support Languages’ with Kate Walker, British Council
- ‘Is your Primary Language Teaching Effective?’ with Juliet Park, Yewlands Academy
- ‘Exciting Projects to take languages out of the classroom’ with Angela Gallagher-Brett, Routes into Languages
All sessions are free to attend and can be counted towards your CPD as well.
Don’t miss out and register online for free tickets at the Language Show Live Scotland website.
Read more...
AMOPA Parlons Français competition - deadline approaching
26 January 2016 (AMOPA)
The 'Parlons français' competition, run by AMOPA in collaboration with Total, is now five years old and is going from strength to strength.
To enter all that's required is a short recording of students as they prepare for their speaking test. This is then assessed and feedback given. Prizes and certificates will also be awarded.
The competition is so easy to enter now as the technology is readily available and it supports your own preparation with students, it's not an "extra" task.
To find out more about the competition and how to enter see the attached flyer.
Entries must be submitted by 15 February 2016.
22 January 2016 (TESS)
Almost half of Scottish secondaries have significantly narrowed their curriculum at S4, offering just six courses instead of the eight that was typical before the introduction of Curriculum for Excellence, according to figures released today.
Subjects disadvantaged by the new curriculum include languages, business studies, computing, some of the creative and aesthetic subjects, the sciences and social subjects.
See page 6-7 of TESS digital for the full article. (TES subscription required).
Read more...
19 January 2016 (Heriot-Watt University)
Heriot-Watt University's Multilingual Debate is an annual event that showcases the interpreting skills of undergraduate students on our Languages (Interpreting and Translating) degree programme, as well as the developing professional skills of postgraduate students on our MSc Interpreting and Translating programmes. The event takes the form of a formal debate with two multilingual teams arguing for and against a motion of topical interest in a range of languages. The teams deliver their views in their various native languages (French, German, Spanish, English, Arabic, Chinese, British Sign Language (BSL)).
The audience is mainly made up of pupils coming from Scottish and English secondary schools, but also university undergraduate students considering entering the interpreting profession, as well as government and local authority representatives. The audiences participated in the debate by listening to the arguments, putting questions to the speakers in the languages represented and voting on the motion.
The Multilingual Debate 2016 takes place on Wednesday 23 March at Heriot-Watt University's Edinburgh campus.
To find out more about the debate topics and how to sign up to attend a session, see the video presentations in Arabic, BSL, Chinese, English, French and Spanish on the Heriot-Watt website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
HE,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Multilingualism,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic,
BSL
19 January 2016 (Education Scotland)
Pan Tayside has produced a video showcasing the 'PanTayside' approach to implementing the 1+2 languages policy. Dundee City Council, Angus Council and Perth and Kinross Council are working together and sharing expertise in order to create the sustainable delivery of language learning across the three authorities.
See the video on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
14 January 2016 (CISS)
Plans are once again in action for the SCEN Learning of Chinese Project in East Lothian primary schools. A wide range of schools will be participating in the programme which started in 2012 and which is growing in momentum as the years progress. The programme is supported by Chinese student volunteers from Edinburgh University via EUSA and the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools along with research led by Bilingualism matters and evaluative evidence collected, analysed and presented by an Educational Consultant in languages.
You can read more about this project on the CISS website.
Read more...
14 January 2016 (Teaching Scotland (Issue 62))
See the article in the latest edition of Teaching Scotland magazine (page 32/33) where EAL teachers in Glasgow share how they're supporting incoming migrants to the city.
Read more...
12 January 2016 (TESS)
The number of qualifications being pursued by Scottish pupils – particularly those of lower ability – has dropped sharply since the new curriculum and qualifications were introduced, as has attainment, new research shows.
The situation for modern languages was “near critical” because of the drop in pupils enrolling for these subjects in S4, according to Dr Jim Scott from the University of Dundee.
Read more...
11 January 2016 (Education Scotland)
There's still time to make a nomination for the Scottish Education Awards 2016.
The awards celebrate the hard work and success in Scottish education and showcase the valuable work and innovation in learning environments across Scotland.
If you'd like to see a primary establishment be recognised for 'Making Languages Come Alive' or acknowledge an organisation for the Gaelic Education Award, nominations can be made until midday on Monday 15 February and the awards ceremony takes place in June.
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information about the award categories and to submit a nomination.
Read more...
7 January 2016 (SCILT / SQA)
We have summarised the Higher Modern Languages Course Reports and highlighted the key messages across all the languages.
These reports contain information on how candidates performed in the 2015 exam diet and give important advice on how to prepare candidates for forthcoming examinations, as well as for the Performance of Talking
The full reports can be accessed on the SQA website.
Read more...
Posted in:
Chinese,
French,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
National Qualifications,
SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA,
Urdu
7 January 2016 (Scottish Government)
In September 2015, Michael Russell MSP hosted a parliamentary reception, entitled Languages: a world of opportunity. While celebrating language learning in Scotland, the event set out to inspire people to appreciate language skills as valuable, enabling, achievable, career and life-enhancing.
Through real life examples about how stronger language skills are already making a difference, not only in education, but in employment and on a personal level, attendees were invited to consider how to further promote language skills, and an understanding of their value, in the interests of Scotland’s global position.
As an employability skill, Scotland as a whole stands to gain from language skills becoming the norm for us all. This is why Scottish Government is committed to radically enhance language learning in schools across Scotland through Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach.
This webpage contains information from the event, films about and using language and links to websites of organisations who promote, develop and advocate language learning.
Read more...
6 January 2016 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française in Glasgow are offering the following courses during the next term (Term C - February to April). Follow the appropriate link for more information on the courses and enrolment:
For further information about the organisation and other services they offer, visit the Alliance Française website.
Read more...
5 January 2016 (Language Show Live)
We are pleased to announce that you can now register for your free ticket to attend Language Show Live Scotland 2016, taking place from 11-12 March at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow.
Language Show Live Scotland is your chance to join thousands of language teachers, learners, linguists, translators, interpreters and job seekers who love languages as much as you.
The event will bring together 100 exhibitors, free educational seminars, language classes, live forums, careers advice and cultural performances in an incredible celebration of languages.
Register for free ticketsRead more...
28 December 2015 (TES)
Scotland’s biggest teaching union, the EIS, is preparing advice for schools on how to welcome refugees and migrants.
The union’s advice on steps to welcome pupils from refugee families includes learning simple greetings in the pupils' first language.
Read more...
21 December 2015 (BBC )
The public are invited to participate in the BBC Trust consultation on Radio and TV coverage in Scotland. This is an opportunity to have your say regarding the use of language (including dubbing of foreign language and use of subtitles) and the content of broadcast about the importance of language in growing the Scottish economy. The consultation closes on 17 January 2016.
Read more...
15 December 2015 (SEET)
We have now reached the end of the first stage in the Our Films:Our Europe project. We are delighted to announce that the following schools will be joining us in one of our three film-making workshops. During the workshop pupils will have all day to work with media professionals to shoot and edit their films, bringing their ideas to life.
- Balfron High (Stirling)
- Holyrood Secondary (Glasgow)
- Lenzie Acadmey (East Dunbartonshire)
- Drumchapel High School (Glasgow)
- Harlaw Academy (Aberdeen City)
- West Calder High School (West Lothian)
- Larbert High School (Falkirk)
- Kirkcaldy High (Fife)
- St Mungos High School (Falkirk)
- Falkirk Hgih School (Falkirk)
- Bishopbriggs Academy (East Dunbartonshire)
- Auchinleck Acadmeny (East Ayrshire)
- St Roch's Secondary (Glasgow)
- St Luke's High School (East Renfrewshire)
- Cardinal Newman (North Lanarkshire)
A big thank you and well done to all of the schools who have participated in the project so far!
You can find out more about the film-making project on the SEET website.
Read more...
15 December 2015 (SCILT)
Last chance to submit entries for this year’s MTOT multilingual poetry competition! You have until midnight 18 December to get your entries in.
Thanks to all those who have participated. We look forward to seeing all the great work which has been produced and will be in touch again in the New Year once judging has taken place.
If you still need to submit your pupils’ entries, follow the guidance in the Teacher's Pack within the RESOURCES tab on our MTOT page. Or see the MTOT blog where you can also find submission guidelines.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
15 December 2015 (Institut français)
The Institut français is delighted to present le concours de la francophonie, a new competition for all primary and secondary French learners across Scotland, in partnership with SCILT.
To participate, schools have to submit a video (filmed with tablets, phones or other devices) of a small piece in French: a song, a dialogue, a play etc. So, if you had prepared something with your students for les rencontres théâtrales, you just need to film the performance. This way, all schools across Scotland will be able to take part.
There are four categories:
The competition will be held in two phases, semi-finals at the council level, and finals at the national level. The two best productions of each category will win the following:
- P1/P4 students and schools who may not be able to travel to Edinburgh in a day will win an immersion day in their school, with French native speakers.
- P5 to S6 students who are able to travel will be invited to celebrate la journée mondiale de la francophonie in Edinburgh on 18 March, with French immersion activities and an award ceremony.
Creativity is a key element of this student led competition; dialogues, reportages, interviews and all other forms are possible. In addition, jury will look at the command of the French language, which will be adapted to your students level. Finally, we encourage the participation of all students in the classroom.
More details about the competition will be available in January.
Read more...
14 December 2015 (SQA)
The SQA has updated a number of files on their Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
A list of updates is attached and the files can be accessed on the SQA website.
Read more...
14 December 2015 (British Council)
In partnership, Education Scotland and British Council Scotland launched a secondary school writing competition to promote international education in schools and to find pupils' views on how international they thought their school is.
To enter, Scottish secondary school pupils were asked to submit a short essay answering the question below:
‘How international is your school and how International could it be? Please write about how international experience has shaped or could shape your time at school.’
We received an overwhelming number of submissions from pupils across Scotland and the three winning entries can be seen on the British Council website.
Congratulations to the winners and their schools!
Read more...
10 December 2015 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland's latest languages bulletin is now available. This edition includes information on:
- Updated guidance on assessing progress and achievement in Modern Languages
- GLOWmeet sessions:
- replay of session on 1+2 policy progress held on 18 November
- next session - guidance on progression from first to second level, 27 January 2016
- Language Show Live Scotland
- Scots language updates
Read more...
10 December 2015 (SCILT)
Entries have been arriving thick and fast in our inboxes here at SCILT. It is fantastic to see the hard-work and enthusiasm of your pupils in a multitude of languages being creative in such a wide variety of themes from football to holidays, memories of family to recent terrorist events in Paris.
Just a reminder that the closing date for entries is 18 December. All the information and documentation you need to enter pupils' work can be found in the Teacher's Pack within the RESOURCES tab on our MTOT page. Those of you following our MTOT blog can also find submission guidelines there.
Read more...
9 December 2015 (Scottish Education Awards)
Nominations are open for the Scottish Education Awards 2016!
Categories include:
- Gaelic Education Award - recognising establishments who provide opportunities for children to develop fluency in the Gaelic language and culture
- Making Languages Come Alive (primary) - recognising establishments who are working effectively to implement the 1+2 policy for language learning
Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for information on all the nomination categories, criteria and to submit your nomination by 15 February 2016.
Read more...
25 November 2015 (SEET)
The deadline for the Our Europe film-making project is fast approaching, but don't worry, there's still time to sign up! Entries must be in by 10 December 2015, so if you want to sign up and haven't yet done so make sure you do it soon! If you have teams of S3-6 pupils who are interested in taking part please complete the registration form.
We are also adding new features to our Script Centre tool, designed to help students with scripting the language component of the project.
We have been extremely busy over the past few weeks making visits to schools all across Scotland and it has been great to see such enthusiasm for the project from students. For more information about the Our Europe project, please visit our website. Remember, it's not too late to sign up!
Read more...
23 November 2015 (SCEN/SCA)
For 50 years, the SCA has been a society of people in Scotland furthering interest in the culture, history and modern progress of China. Help to celebrate this connection in painting, drawing, calligraphy, poetry, video or sound.
There are 3 entry categories:
The closing date for entries is 25 March 2016. Prize-giving will take place on Friday 27 May 2016, with the Tom Murray Memorial Prize to be awarded to the school with the best standard of entries.
Please register your interest by the end of 2015 with: scacompetition2016@scotchina.org
For more information, visit the SCA website.
Read more...
20 November 2015 (TESS)
The Scottish government’s drive to close the attainment gap will fail to boost the life chances of deprived children because many are not choosing the right subjects, research suggests.
The University of Edinburgh researchers call for academic subjects such as English, maths, sciences and languages to be compulsory for longer and for schools to give pupils better advice about the long-term implications of their decisions.
(Please note a TES/TESS subscription is required to access the online article in full).
Read more...
19 November 2015 (Language Show Live Scotland)
Following the continued success of Europe’s longest running premier language event, hosted in London for the past 27 years, Language Show Live is excited to be opening its doors to Glasgow this 11-12 March at the SECC for two inspirational days packed with free educational seminars, language classes, live forums and cultural performances in an incredible celebration of languages.
Language Show Live Scotland is your chance to join thousands of language teachers, learners, translators, interpreters, linguists and job seekers who love languages as much as you.
Applications for the event programme are now open.
If you’re an experienced speaker and would like to be part of the Language Show Scotland programme click on the link to find out more about the several ways to participate and apply.
The deadline to receive all applications is Sunday 29 November.
Visit the Language Show Live Scotland website for more information about the event.
Read more...
18 November 2015 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running 10 CPD workshops for Primary School teachers between February-April 2016.
- 10 topics covered over 10 weeks, tailored to the needs of Primary School teachers
- Suitable as a follow-up to our Beginners 1 class or for French teachers in Primary schools
- Thursday, 4.15-5.45pm between 11 February and 28 April included
- The cost to attend these 10 CPDs is £73/teacher. Please note this is a special fee offered by the Alliance Française de Glasgow to promote modern languages
- Option to enrol in less than 10 CPDs, please contact us for more information
- Certificates of attendance will be handed out once the programme is completed
- Places are limited so booking early is highly recommended
If you wish to enrol, please contact or visit the Language Office at the Alliance Française by Friday 29 January 2016. Visit the website for full programme and enrolment details.
Read more...
9 November 2015 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) runs an annual Euroquiz for P6 pupils, which sees teams of four working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe. Subjects covered include history, geography, sport, culture, languages and the European Union.
Heats take place in local authorities from January to March, with the winning teams from all areas going forward to the national final in May.
Plans for Euroquiz 2016 are now underway and schools are invited to register their interest with their local authority Euroquiz co-ordinator.
Further information about the competition and preparation materials are available on the SEET website.
Read more...
6 November 2015 (TESS)
Glasgow to insist on 'dual linguist' specialists in its secondary schools.
Read the article on page 10 of the electronic version of TESS magazine. Please note this is only available free online until 12 November 2015 after which a subscription will be required to access.
Read more...
6 November 2015 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has published a revised format of the professional learning paper ‘Assessing Progress and Achievement in Modern Languages’ on their website.
The work in progress on significant aspects of learning was reviewed in June and July 2015
in the light of feedback from practitioners, schools and education authorities and in the
context of developments in national education policy. This has led to a number of changes
both in the overarching paper and in each of the papers related to an area of the
curriculum.
Practitioners are encouraged to use this document to support professional dialogue through quality
assurance and moderation activities. It may be used by individuals to inform reflection on practice
and plan for improvement in approaches to supporting learners in their progress and achievement.
Read more...
5 November 2015 (SCILT)
We have conducted a brief analysis of published SQA language statistics at SCQF levels 4-7 in 2014 and 2015.
See the 'Language Trends in Scotland 2014-15' report on our website.
Read more...
30 October 2015 (SQA)
SQA has published its Course Reports for Modern Languages containing the key messages from the 2014-15 diet.
Read the document on the SQA website.
Read more...
29 October 2015 (National Records of Scotland)
This National Statistics publication for Scotland details the use of Gaelic by a variety of categories and sectors in Scotland.
See the report online.
Read more...
28 October 2015 (Scottish Funding Council)
The SFC has just published its Gaelic Language Plan 2014-19. This Plan has been prepared under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and was approved by Bòrd na Gàidhlig on 17 September 2015.
See the SFC publication on their website.
Read more...
21 October 2015 (The Herald letters)
Letters in the Herald from readers in support of the Gaelic language policy and language learning.
Read more...
Related Links
So, who needs Gaelic? (The Herald letters, 19 October 2015)
21 October 2015 (Scottish Government)
Children in Gaelic speaking communities will be helped to get the best start in life after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced £100,000 funding for 41 early years’ groups and organisations.
The money will support the running costs of the groups and provide employment opportunities for Gaelic speaking leaders so that children can develop their skills in the language.
The First Minister made the announcement in Skye as she delivered the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig lecture for the first time. She said:
“We want all of Scotland’s children to have the best start in life. That includes providing opportunities for children to learn and improve Gaelic in their early years. Our support for Gaelic medium education is encouraging and enabling more children to learn the language and has helped to slow the decline in our population of Gaelic speakers. I am determined to do all I can to support the future of the language in Scotland. Today’s announcement ensures that children will be able to take up Gaelic at the earliest possible age.”
Read more...
21 October 2015 (University of Strathclyde)
Boost your pupils' interest in languages by organising a visit to your school as part of the University of Strathclyde’s Language Ambassadors Programme.
Our ambassadors will come to your school and talk about their own experiences of studying languages at university, the joys and challenges they faced living and working abroad during their intercalary year, their motivations for choosing to study languages and their hopes for the future.
The programme has been growing from strength to strength since starting five years ago, now working with both Secondary and Primary schools across the west of Scotland, so don’t be left behind… Join in and organise a visit this year!
For more information see the website and if you would like to set up a visit simply e-mail: c.moreau@strath.ac.uk.
Read more...
21 October 2015 (SCILT/SQA)
We have been advised by the SQA that there are no plans to remove 'old NQ' materials out with the SQA retention policy. That is that all past paper materials on the site is available for 5 years after the examination - so from now 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 materials are available.
SQA only clears copyright for the years the materials are published and therefore centres should not store materials out with that period.
There has been no specific communication to centres on this matter as there has not been a change to policy or practice.
Past materials can be found on the SQA website.
Read more...
15 October 2015 (The Scotsman)
I was delighted to read in the News (October 13) that Edinburgh City Council is taking steps to implement the SNP government’s ambitious policy on modern languages.
Telephoning my mum has always been a source of entertainment for anyone within earshot. I start a sentence in Italian and sometimes finish it in English, switching from one to the other, reflexively and unconsciously. That’s how the bilingual mind works – you could spend the entire day thinking in one language and dream in the other. My bilingualism has profoundly shaped me and my politics – speaking two languages allows a deeper understanding of two cultures, two different ways of life and mentalities.
Read more...
Related Links
All pupils to learn two foreign languages by high school (Edinburgh Evening News, 13 October 2015)
8 October 2015 (Heriot-Watt University)
The SCHOLAR programme offered by Heriot-Watt University offers a number of support sessions in a variety of subjects for students undertaking National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher examinations.
Attached is the programme of online events taking place from October 2015 to March 2016 to support Modern Languages.
For more information about the SCHOLAR programme visit the Heriot-Watt SCHOLAR website.
Read more...
18 September 2015 (The National)
Legislation to promote the use of British Sign Language (BSL) was unanimously backed by MSPs last night.
The passage of the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill, brought forward by Labour MSP Mark Griffin, was greeted with cheers and applause by campaigners in the Scottish Parliament’s public gallery.
It will require Scottish ministers to develop a national plan for BSL and place an obligation on public-sector bodies to prepare and publish their own plans.
The aim is to increase awareness of BSL and its use in the delivery of services.
During a debate on the bill at Holyrood, Griffin cited statistics from the Scottish Council on Deafness showing that 77 per cent of BSL users who visited hospital could not easily communicate with NHS staff.
He said: “It is that sense of abandonment and isolation – whether it be in a healthcare situation, in a school or an education situation – that I hope the passing of this legislation will address.”
Languages minister Dr Alasdair Allan said the Scottish Government would set up a BSL group to advise on the content of the national plan.
Labour equality spokeswoman Rhoda Grant said the bill “will send a strong message to the deaf and deaf-blind community that we value them and we value their language”.
Read more...
Related Links
For more information on the Bill itself, visit the page about the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill on the Scottish Parliament's website and see Parliament TV coverage of the proceedings held in the Scottish Parliament on 17 September 2015. You can also access the Official Report from the Meeting of the Parliament on 17 September 2015 in which the British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill was discussed.
MSPs support bill to promote British Sign Language (The Herald, 17 September 2015)
The British Sign Language (BSL) (Scotland) Bill passed unanimously (The Edinburgh Reporter, 17 September 2015)
British Deaf Association applauds British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill (BDA, 17 September 2015)
Sign language given formal status in Scotland (Holyrood, 18 September 2015)
New BSL bill is a welcome sign of the times (The Herald, 18 September 2015)
17 September 2015 (Alliance Française)
The Alliance Française de Glasgow will be running a programme of CPDs in French for Primary School teachers in 2015/16.
- Ten topics covered over ten weeks, tailored to the needs of Primary School teachers
- Suitable as a follow-up to our Beginners 1 class or for French teachers in Primary schools
- Thursdays, 4.15-5.45pm between 29 October 2015 and 24 March 2015
Full programme details are available on the Alliance Française website. If you wish to enrol, please contact or visit the Language Office at the Alliance Française by Friday 23 October.
Read more...
16 September 2015 (University of Edinburgh)
The program Literacy through Latin connects volunteers who know Latin with classrooms in Edinburgh Council primary schools. We use Latin to introduce new lessons on language and culture for P5 and P6 students because we believe that the history and culture of Classics remain valuable in the modern world.
Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence aims to shape successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors. For all of these learning Latin (‘the maths of the humanities’) is incredibly efficient. Short, fun language lessons help students to unlock another side of their creativity. Cultural explorations unfold the significance and memory of the Roman world today.
Autumn 2015 will see the beginning of this program from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh.
Visit their website for more information.
Read more...
10 September 2015 (Scottish Government)
A national Scots Language Policy has been launched today by Dr Alasdair Allan, Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages.
This national Scots policy sets out the Scottish Government's position on the Scots language, its aims and objectives for Scots and the practical steps we will take to achieve these. It has been developed in co-operation with a number of key interests and will be reviewed periodically.
Read more...
8 September 2015 (Educaiton Scotland)
Education Scotland has just published a new principles and practice document for modern languages including new learning statements for P7.
Visit the Education Scotland website for more information.
Read more...
4 September 2015 (SCILT)
In taking MTOT to a national level this year, we are delighted to be able to offer FREE poetry workshops for primary and secondary teachers at four different venues across Scotland.
Teachers will work with Juliette Lee, a poet and creative writer, for a half-day workshop to develop their own creativity, explore poetry and the impact of language we use, including our Mother Tongue and also experimenting with poetry in an Other Tongue too. We hope that teachers will leave inspired and able to take back some ideas and examples to work with their own pupils who will then submit their poems/rhymes/raps/songs into the MTOT competition.
Due to high levels of interest for the competition in general, we have decided to leave registration for schools open until Friday 9 October. Teachers do not have to attend one of the workshops to register their school for the MTOT competition although the workshops are a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in teaching poetry, languages and to gather ideas to take back into the classroom.
Spaces are still available at the following workshop:
- Friday 9 October, 13.30 – 16.30 ; Open University, Edinburgh (deadline for registration Friday 2 October)
Register by completing the MTOT workshop registration form on the SCILT website.
For more information about MTOT and to register your school to take part in the competition visit the MTOT 2015-16 page of our website.
Read more...
1 September 2015 (Education Scotland)
At this year’s Scottish Learning Festival, the Education Scotland modern languages team will host a seminar on “A 1+2 approach to language learning - where are we now?“ where practitioners and local authority representatives can find out about the picture of implementation of the 1+2 policy across the country. The team will also provide information about the support and resources on offer from Education Scotland as well as the latest advice and guidance from HMI. Additionally, representatives from two local authorities will share their approaches to upskilling primary school staff in modern languages.
In our conversation slots “ 1+2 - Time2talk ” the modern languages team will engage practitioners in a professional dialogue about all aspects of the 1+2 approach to language learning including answering questions on L3 ( the second additional language) and the primary and secondary contexts of the policy.
SLF 2015 takes place on 23 and 24 September at the SECC, Glasgow. Find out more about this year's SLF on the conference webpage.
Read more...
1 September 2015 (SCILT)
Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) 2015-16 has launched in Scotland!
The multilingual poetry competition celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing. Mother Tongue encourages children who do not speak English as a first language to share a remembered poem from their mother tongue. Other Tongue encourages children learning another language in school to write an original poem in that other tongue.
The competition was successfully piloted in Glasgow last year and we're delighted to now offer all primary and secondary schools in Scotland the chance to participate.
Take a look at our MTOT 2015-16 webpages for full details about this year's competition. You'll also find a section on previous events and testimonials from those who took part, as well as links to the MTOT blog and a host of other useful resources, including the teacher's pack containing the categories, criteria and rules.
During September and October there will be some Saturday workshops available for teachers from schools registered for the competition. There will be a limited number of places which will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so watch for more details about these soon and ensure you don't miss out!
Register your school for MTOT now*! Deadline extended to 9 October 2015.
*Some schools are reporting an issue with accessing the online registration form. If your authority is also blocking the page, we would suggest registering from a home PC or emailing us to be registered manually.
Read more...
1 September 2015 (The Scotsman)
IT’S the city’s most multicultural school, with dozens of different languages spoken by its 300 pupils.
Now a new school song is set to celebrate the diversity of life at Dalry Primary School for the first time.
Read more...
SQA vacancies - Visiting Assessors for AH Modern Languages
28 August 2015 (SQA)
SQA is currently seeking to recruit additional Visiting Assessors (VA) to conduct Talking assessments at Advanced Higher level in Modern Languages.
Applications can be found following the relevant links below. You will also find information here relating to contract specification, selection criteria and key performance measures.
Closing date for all applications: 1 November 2015.
Posted in:
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations,
SQA
27 August 2015 (BBC News)
Two secondary schools in Orkney have some of the first in Scotland to introduce Japanese classes into their timetables.
There have been an increasing number of links built up between the islands and Japan in recent years, largely due to a shared interest in the potential of marine renewable energy.
Stromness Academy and Kirkwall Grammar pupils are now learning Japanese.
Read more...
26 August 2015 (Goethe-Institut)
Every year the Goethe-Institut offers an attractive range of residential training and language courses for teachers of German (specialists and non-specialists) as well as teacher trainers. There are language courses available on "Landeskunde", methodology and teaching strategies.
Apply now for a scholarship from the Goethe-Institut. Deadline for applications: 15 October 2015.
Visit the Goethe-Institut Glasgow website for further information and how to apply.
Read more...
21 August 2015 (SCILT)
Today sees the launch of Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) 2015-16 in Scotland!
The multilingual poetry competition celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing. Mother Tongue encourages children who do not speak English as a first language to share a remembered poem from their mother tongue. Other Tongue encourages children learning another language in school to write an original poem in that other tongue.
The competition was successfully piloted in Glasgow last year and we're delighted to now offer all primary and secondary schools in Scotland the chance to participate.
Take a look at our MTOT 2015-16 webpages for full details about this year's competition. You'll also find a section on previous events and testimonials from those who took part, as well as links to the MTOT blog and a host of other useful resources, including the teacher's pack containing the categories, criteria and rules.
During September and October there will be some Saturday workshops available for teachers from schools registered for the competition. There will be a limited number of places which will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so watch for more details about these soon and ensure you don't miss out!
Register your school for MTOT now*! Deadline 31 August 2015.
*Some schools are reporting an issue with accessing the online registration form. If your authority is also blocking the page, we would suggest registering from a home PC or emailing us to be registered manually.
Read more...
20 August 2015 (SEET)
Our Films, Our Europe is an innovative film making project run by SEET and supported by the European Parliament. Teams of S3-S6 pupils from all secondary schools in Scotland are invited to take part in the project which encourages European languages, international discussions and creative film making.
The competition will launch on 1 September 2015 with all secondary schools in Scotland invited to take part.
For more information, see the attached press release or visit the SEET website where you can also find details of last year's competitors and the winning films.
Read more...
20 August 2015 (TESS)
Recent improvements in uptake do not spell the end of the decline in language learning, the president of the Scottish Association for Language Teaching has warned.
Gillian Campbell-Thow told TESS this week that while there was a “need to be optimistic”, she did not believe “the magic wand has been waved and all is rosy in the garden”.
Figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on exam results day earlier this month revealed an increase in entries for most modern languages at Higher level, leading some to believe that the decline of recent years had been reversed. The number of students sitting the new or old Higher exam in French was almost 10 per cent more than last year at 4,572 compared with 4,157.
The increase in Spanish was even more significant, with entries rising 28 per cent from 1,880 last year to 2,413 this year. In German, the total increased from 1,006 in 2014 to 1,114. Pass rates were also up.
However, the number of Chinese language Higher entries dropped from 100 to 89. This was despite significant investment in this area and news that a further 21 Confucius Classrooms would be set up to teach Mandarin to primary pupils in Scotland, on top of the 14 that already exist. Funding for the extension of the programme will come from Hanban, a public institution affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education.
“I don’t think we are anywhere near addressing the decline in languages but it is a step in the right direction,” Ms Campbell-Thow said. While there was a mix of old and new Highers, “we don’t really have a firm grasp on how much impact the new qualifications are having on uptake,” she added.
Read more...
17 August 2015 (Glow Scotland)
The 1+2 Factor is a nationwide event taking place on 18 November 2015 in the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow where Scottish educational establishments are invited to share and showcase their work using digital technology to implement the 1+2 languages policy.
Visit the 1+2 Factor site on Glow to find out how your school can take part. (Glow login required).
Read more...
5 August 2015 (Scottish Government)
43,911 qualifications specifically recognising skills for life and work have been gained this year – a rise of 18.3 per cent compared to last year. [..] With more relevant work-related learning for all young people at the heart of Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, key increases in attainment include:
- Modern Languages for Life and Work SQA Award, has almost doubled at SCQF level 3 and 4 since 2014 with increases from 383 to 720 and 750 to 1,444 respectively
Read more...
4 August 2015 (Scottish Government)
Students across Scotland achieved a record 156,000 Higher passes this year – up 5.5 per cent on 2014.
Results certificates have been sent to 142,862 candidates sitting a wide range of qualifications – including new Highers for the first year and Nationals for the second year; and existing Access, Intermediates, Highers and Advanced Highers.
Figures released by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) show attainment is again high this year, with Higher English passes up 17.7 per cent to 27,902, and Higher modern languages passes increasing by 15.2 per cent to 7,419.
Read more...
27 July 2015 (Education Scotland)
Updates to first and second level learning maps are now available on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
Posted in:
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Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
1+2,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Resources,
News from language & education organisations
19 June 2015 (SCILT/CISS)
Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) is an exciting multilingual poetry project which celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity through creative writing, and showcases the many languages which are spoken and learned by young people in school and at home. After a very successful pilot of the competition in the Glasgow area last year, SCILT are excited to announce the roll-out of MTOT across the country from August 2015. 2015/16 will build on the success of last year’s initiative and see the competition go nationwide allowing all pupils from P1 – S6 to participate in collaboration with our partner universities.
The winning poems, as well as a wider selection of commendable entries, will be compiled and published in a Mother Tongue Other Tongue anthology. There will be additional prizes, so start thinking now about how you might get involved.
September will see the official launch of the competition with poetry and creative writing workshops for teachers taking place at our HE partner institutions across the country (dates and venues tbc). Registration to take part in the competition and to attend the teachers’ poetry workshop launch events will open in August 2015. More information on how to register and book a place on a workshop will be available to schools early in the new school year.
Why not visit our MTOT 2015-16 webpage where you'll find all the information you need, including links to our poetry resources page, where we have collated a number of downloadable poetry and language materials as well as links to useful websites. You could also read the 2014 winning poems featured in our anthology for some further inspiration and find out about last year's competition and celebration event, or take a look at the MTOT website from Routes into Languages North West and Manchester Metropolitan University to see how the competition ran in England and Wales last year.
Read more...
10 June 2015 (Education Scotland)
Congratulations to the winners at this year's Scottish Education Awards, particularly those in the languages categories:
- Gaelic Education Award - Clann Throndairnis - Staffin and Kilmuir Primary Schools (Highlands)
- Making Languages Come Alive - Corseford School (Renfrewshire)
Details of all the winners and finalists can be found on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
5 June 2015 (Dalmarnock Post blog)
Hola, Bonjour, Kalh mepa, ciao , – only some of the wonderful greetings you’ll hear first thing every morning in our school. At Dalmarnock we believe that learning languages unlocks many doors for our children and we embraced the new Scottish Language Initiative 1+2. Have a look at all the wonderful experiences the children are enjoying!
Read more...
5 June 2015 (SALT)
Collins Language Learning Team are very interested in your views and thoughts on the learning and teaching of languages in Scottish schools.
To express their gratitude for your time in completing their questionnaire, you will be entered in a draw to win dictionaries for your school!
Read more...
4 June 2015 (BBC News)
Labour has raised concerns about a drop in the number of students gaining a qualification in modern languages including French, German and Chinese.
At First Minister's Questions, Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also highlighted a drop in the number achieving a qualification in Gaelic.
Research by Strathclyde University, draws attention to a long-term decline in the number achieving a qualification in French or German.
In 1996, around 40,000 got a Standard Grade pass in French at either foundation, general or credit level.
By 2011, the number was down to about 30,000 and in 2014 it fell to below 20,000.
The number studying German roughly halved over the same period and also dropped significantly in 2014.
Such a drop inevitably prompts important questions and will concern some: a qualification in a language can be an important step towards achieving fluency in it and nobody disputes the importance of fluency in second or third languages to the development of a skilled workforce.
Read more...
Related Links
First Minister's Question Time (Scottish Parliament, 4 June 2015)
Modern Languages in Scotland: Learner Uptake and Attainment 1996-2014 (Scottish Languages Review: James Scott article, June 2015)
28 May 2015 (British Council/Education Scotland)
British Council in partnership with Education Scotland has today launched a new online resource to help schools and pre-school centres improve outcomes for pupils and staff through international engagement.
The resource is designed to support schools in their journey of continuous improvement in learning through partnerships with educational establishments in other countries. Working in partnership the aim is to develop learners' skills and attitudes that are necessary to participate effectively in a globalised world.
International engagement involves learning about other countries:
- their cultures
- education systems
- languages
- the global themes of interest to us all
- and by forming a partnership with educational establishments abroad and/or being involved in global learning programmes
The aim of the partnerships are:
- to improve knowledge and skills across curriculum areas
- to challenge stereotypes and prejudices
- and to make learners aware of the possibilities that exist for learning and work outside Scotland
This, by extension, allows learners to understand Scotland and its place in the world. Partnerships allow those involved the opportunity to share ideas in pedagogy and the space to reflect on their own practice; and in so doing, improve the quality of learning and teaching. Partnerships can be developed digitally or can also involve face to face meetings between staff and/or learners.
Find out more about Learners International on the Education Scotland website.
Read more...
26 May 2015 (The Scotsman)
A landmark educational programme to improve literacy levels in deprived parts of Glasgow through the teaching of Latin has been given the go-ahead.
The ‘Literacy through Latin’ project will from October involve each student teaching one hour-long class per week throughout the school year.
Latin is the root of many modern European languages, such as French and Italian and English. Studies have shown that introduction to Latin can improve children’s ability to learn foreign languages, as well as improve literacy levels in English.
Literacy through Latin uses storytelling, games and activities to introduce the nuts and bolts of Latin grammar, demonstrating the deep connections between Latin and English.
Read more...
12 May 2015 (British Council)
There are still 2 weeks left to apply for a Language Assistant for 2015/16!
With up to date language, cultural awareness, experience and materials, there is no substitute for a British Council Language Assistant. Giving your students the opportunity to learn with a keen educator who will be speaking in their first language offers benefits that simply cannot be found elsewhere. Unlike local or non-native alternatives, British Council Language Assistants arrive trained and prepared to deliver the highest standards of language teaching and teacher support. Additionally, by working with the British Council your school will benefit from administrative assistance from our dedicated team.
The deadline for applications is 29 May 2015. Don’t delay get your application in today!
Read more...
11 May 2015 (SEET/Scottish Parliament)
Well done to all the teams who took part in this year’s Euroquiz final in the Scottish Parliament, but especially to the winners, Carmondean Primary School from West Lothian.
For more information about the competition, see the attached press release or visit the SEET website.
Read more...
Related Links
Primary school Euroquiz 2015 – winners (Education Scotland blog, 12 May 2015)
4 May 2015 (Edinburgh International Book Festival)
Tickets are now on sale for the Edinburgh International Book Festival Baillie Gifford Schools Programme, with lots of exciting events running from 24 August to 1 September 2015.
This year the programme has a real focus on languages and internationalism, featuring authors with stories from afar; events about translation and adaptation; and an exploration of the different ways that stories can be told. We’ve also got some language-themed CPD events running throughout the Festival. Find out more through the following links, or visit the website to see the programme and booking details.
CPD events:
- The Gift of Bilingualism
Thursday 20 August, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
How can bilingual families be supported and each mother tongue acknowledged and respected? - Poetic Translation with the Scottish Poetry Library
Thursday 27 August, 5.00pm–6.00pm
Think you can’t translate a poem from one language into another? This event will prove you wrong. Piloted in Edinburgh schools, this is a flexible approach to primary school language learning and creative writing with fun, fast-paced exercises.
Event for primary schools:
Read more...
1+2 learning events - registration now open!
24 April 2015 (SCILT)
To support the 1+2 language learning model SCILT and Education Scotland are offering the following learning events during May/June for language practitioners in Scotland. Click on the appropriate link for further information and to register your attendance.
Senior phase learning events
L3 learning events
23 April 2015 (Scottish Parliament)
The Education (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament on 23 March 2015. It covers a range of school policy issues, in particular school attainment and Gaelic-medium Education. This briefing sets out the legislative and policy context of the proposals.
Read more...
21 April 2015 (Project Trust)
Project Trust’s Global Citizenship Programme sends passionate and enthusiastic Returned Volunteers who have become Global Citizenship Ambassadors into primary and secondary schools to provide interactive educational sessions about global issues they’ve had unique first-hand experience of overseas. Lucy Hughes (Cambodia 2012/13) and Ben Haldane (Namibia 2013/14) ran a session at Kinross High School talking about their experiences of learning another language, presenting alongside our partners SCILT (Scotland’s National Centre for Languages).
Read more...
9 April 2015 (Holyrood Magazine)
Studying a foreign language should be compulsory from the year children start school in order for Scottish firms to compete in the international export market, a business group has urged.
Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Arabic and Russian have been pinpointed by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) as “international languages of business” that must be made mandatory in the education curriculum from primary 1 onwards.
It has called on government to implement the measure by 2020 to ensure Scottish businesses have sufficient cultural and language skills to tap into a number of growing economies.
The demand is among a number of 'business asks', which also include staying in the European Union, set out as part of the Scottish Business Voice Campaign, led by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network.
Read more...
7 April 2015 (RT London)
Watch British Council's Vicky Gough and lead researcher Bernadette Holmes from Born Global in this RT news piece on native English speakers being the worst language learners in Europe.
More information about the Born Global project can be found on the British Academy website via the related link below.
Read more...
Related Links
Born Global: Rethinking Language Policy for 21at Century Britain (British Academy, 2014) A new policy research project into the extent and nature of language needs in the labour market and the implications for language education from school to higher education.
7 April 2015 (Radio Edutalk)
This Radio Edutalk podcast was taken at a recent meeting of the Practitioner Enquiry Network in West Lothian.
Jane Keegan, 1+2 Development Officer and Lynne Jones, Professional Development Officer at SCILT talk about the first phase of a small scale collaborative research project investigating attitudes to learning languages before and after the transition from primary to secondary.
Access the podcast on the Radio Edutalk website.
Read more...
27 March 2015 (Education Scotland/SCILT)
Children are growing up in a multilingual world and the ability to communicate effectively is crucial if they are to play their full part as global citizens.
To support the implementation of the 1+2 languages policy, we have organised a national initiative which will culminate in an event at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in September.
The 1+2 Factor is open to all Scottish education establishments and the aim is to showcase the learning and teaching of languages in Scottish schools and encourage the use of digital technology.
Find out more on Glow on the national 1+2 Factor site and 1+2 Factor blog.
Read more...
25 March 2015 (Scottish Government)
Scotland's International Framework sets out our internationalisation agenda and objectives, setting the context for delivery. It outlines our ambition for Scotland, its people, businesses and institutions through four strategic international objectives: enhancing our global outlook, strengthening our relationships and partnerships, increasing our reputation and attractiveness, and engaging with the European Union.
The document can be downloaded from the Scottish Government website.
Read more...
17 March 2015 (The Learning Professor)
During the last few weeks, the Scottish Government has faced growing criticism for its perceived neglect of modern languages. Business leaders and European government representatives have lined up to lament the decline of foreign language teaching in Scotland’s schools.
Read more...
12 March 2015 (Scottish Government)
Scottish students that have never studied abroad will be given the chance to learn in a new environment overseas in the coming academic year.
The Outward Mobility Fund is now open for applications for 2015/16, backed by £130,000 funding from the Scottish Government.
The fund supports student to go to Canada, China, India, the USA for any duration of time, or to Europe destinations for a period less than three months. The scheme is particularly aimed at students who had never studied abroad and to date 367 people have been offered places.
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said:
[..]“Heading abroad can help our students gain intercultural understanding, problem solving and language skills, greater self-confidence and better employability prospects. I have heard of a number of success stories from the scheme including one project that took 10 students from the University of the West of Scotland to China to study mechanical and civil engineering techniques.”
Read more...
9 March 2015 (Women in German Studies)
The University Council of Modern Languages (UCML) has recently announced a new strategy to influence the debate surrounding modern languages, and to highlight the potential languages have to inform UK issues such as immigration, terrorism, and social cohesion in the run up to election day.
Using Twitter as the primary social media platform to encourage this debate, the UCML are calling on corresponding organisations – and individuals – to promote the importance of modern foreign languages, and to connect on the aforementioned issues using the hashtag:#languagepolicyUK.
Every fortnight there will also be a twitter ‘chat’ session that will last for one hour. The first of these #languagepolicyUK hours will take place on Saturday 21 March 10am and will be repeated on Sunday 22 March at 2pm for those who could not take part in the first hour. Both sessions will focus on the topic: ‘Connecting for Languages – Why?’.
Read more...
6 March 2015 (TESS)
Students can’t seem to get enough of Mandarin but are bidding ‘auf Wiedersehen’ to the language of Scotland’s near neighbour and economic partner Germany. Julia Belgutay asks why
The premise offered hope to foreign language teachers and all those promoting language learning in schools across Scotland. The 1+2 strategy, announced by the government in 2012, was finally going to bring language learning up to speed with other European countries.
Every child in Scotland would study one foreign language from the first year of primary school, and a second from no later than P5 – a pledge that the government backed up with £4 million of funding last year and a further £5 million in 2014-15.
But more than two years into the implementation of the ambitious strategy, it has become clear that not all languages have been winners. Indeed, some are losing – badly.
Read more...
4 March 2015 (The Herald)
Business leaders have called for greater efforts to be made to ensure the survival of modern language learning in Scottish schools.
CBI Scotland, the Institute of Directors in Scotland and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said it was essential to the future competitiveness of the Scottish economy that pupils were able to learn a range of languages.
The call comes after the Scottish Government came under fire from some of the most powerful countries in Europe over its languages policy.
Representatives from Germany, Switzerland and Austria have written to Dr Alastair Allan, the minister for learning, warning that current policies to expand language learning may lead to the "ultimate demise" of German in Scottish schools.
Read more...
10 February 2015 (Heriot-Watt University)
In response to feedback from students, graduates, and the profession Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh has introduced several new language programmes for September 2015 entry:
- MSc Interpreting
- MSc Translating
- MSc Arabic-English Translating
- MSc Chinese-English Translating
- MSc Cultural Resource Management (delivered in English)
More information is available on the Heriot-Watt website.
Read more...
10 February 2015 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has now published further guidance on L3 within the 1+2 languages strategy on their website.
This document provides guidance on the second additional language (L3) to be introduced by P5 by the latest, as a key element of the 1+2 policy. Learning a further language will give additional opportunities to build on children’s literacy skills so that they develop a greater understanding of how language works.
Read more...
5 February 2015 (SQA)
The latest update from the SQA on the new Modern Languages qualifications focuses on the development of Advanced Higher, with information relevant to the subject and details of the support available to teaching professionals.
The update also details a series of implementation events for Advanced Higher Modern Languages taking place on the following dates:
- Friday 20 February (Glasgow)
- Monday 23 February (Stirling)
- Wednesday 25 February (Edinburgh)
- Friday 27 February (Aberdeen)
There is a link within the document to register attendance.
Read more...
4 February 2015 (Evening Express)
Primary school pupils look set to learn three languages by 2020 – and one may be Mandarin.
Under a Scottish Government initiative, councils are to ensure all children learn two languages as well as their mother tongue.
The report – called Language Learning in Scotland: a 1+2 Approach – recommends that by 2020, all pupils should have access to modern language classes from P1.
Training for teachers to provide improved language education is already under way in some North-east council areas. And it has emerged one of the languages pupils could take up in primary school is Mandarin.
Read more...
3 February 2015 (SQA)
SQA has published package 1 of Unit assessment support for the new Scots Language Award. Package 1 includes Unit assessment support packs for the Understanding and Communicating and History and Development Units at SCQF levels 4 and 5. The Unit assessment support packs are now available from our secure website, and teachers and lecturers can arrange access to them through their SQA Co-ordinator.
Package 2 will be available by the end of February 2015 and will include Unit assessment support packs for the Understanding and Communicating and History and Development Units at SCQF levels 3 and 6.
See the SQA website for more information.
Read more...
20 January 2015 (SQA)
An updated Modern Languages Common Questions document has been published on the SQA website today.
This can be accessed on the SQA website by selecting the Modern Languages common questions tab.
Read more...
15 January 2015 (Yakety Yak Language Café)
Want to improve your conversational skills in another language? Yakety Yak Language Café offers opportunities to speak French, Spanish, German, Italian, Gaelic, Portuguese, Chinese or Russian in Edinburgh.
Sessions are held in cafés, bistros and bars and are suitable for those with a basic knowledge of the language and the ability to hold a simple conversation. A number of options are available both daytime and evening.
Check out the Yakety Yak Language Café website for more information.
Read more...
Posted in:
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French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning - Adults,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Japanese,
Portuguese
13 January 2015 (British Council)
Language assistants help bring culture alive in schools across the country and are an ideal way to improve language learning for students and to increase their global awareness, as well as support the implementation of a 1+2 approach to language learning.
Applications to the latest round of the language assistant programme open on January 26 and bids from schools are encouraged to be submitted by the end of March. To help spread the cost, each language assistant can be shared between three schools.
Visit the British Council website for more information and to apply.
Read more...
15 December 2014 (Scottish Parliament)
The British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill was introduced into the Parliament on 29 October 2014 by Mark Griffin MSP, and was subsequently referred to the Education and Culture Committee as lead committee.
The Bill aims to promote the use of British Sign Language including by making provision for the preparation and publication of a British Sign Language National Plan for Scotland and by requiring certain authorities to prepare and publish their own British Sign Language Plans in connection with the exercise of their functions; and to provide for the manner in which such plans are to be prepared and for their review and updating.
The Committee is curretnly seeking evidence on the Bill. The deadline for responses is 2 February 2015.
More information on the Bill together with BSL video and audio version of the call for evidence are available on the Scottish Parliament website.
There is also a BSL Bill Group on Facebook.
Read more...
5 December 2014 (Scottish Education Awards)
Nominations are now open for the 2015 Scottish Education Awards, which celebrate the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education. They recognise the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and showcase the valuable work and innovation in Scottish classrooms.
There are two language categories this year:
- Making Languages Come Alive (Primary) – to recognise establishments who are working effectively to implement the 1+2 policy for language learning
- Gaelic Education Award – to recognise establishments who are providing opportunities for all children to develop fluency in the Gaelic language and culture
Get your nominations in before the closing date of Monday 16 February 2015.
Read more...
3 December 2014 (Scottish Parliament)
In the Meeting of the Parliament 3 December 2014 Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con) asked the Scottish Government how it supports the teaching of foreign languages in schools. Read the text of the discussion on the Scottish Parliament website.
Read more...
1 December 2014 (Kingussie High School)
Kingussie High School are looking for a dynamic Principal Teacher of Languages, to include leading the work of new Confucius Hub. The successful candidate will also co-ordinate non-manual skills for work courses and be responsible for the schools distance learning, as well as manage the subject group of Languages.
More information is available on the Kingussie High School website.
Read more...
14 November 2014 (TESS)
Teachers are being asked “to do the impossible” in foreign language lessons, a leading figure has warned.
Dr Dan Tierney, a former chair of the Scottish Association for Language Teaching (Salt) who is now responsible for training French, Italian, German and Spanish teachers at the University of Strathclyde, said that modern teaching methods – such as collaborative learning and increased use of technology – could not work with current class sizes.
At Salt’s annual conference in Glasgow earlier this month, Dr Tierney explained that there was a “mismatch between methods, policy and large class sizes”, adding: “We have new methods we are expected to do but old class sizes. We are being asked to do the impossible.”
One solution would be to bring back modern language assistants, he said. “Either we need smaller class sizes or we need assistants to help us do what we are being asked to do.”
Read more...
7 November 2014 (TESS)
The reports, compiled by external assessors for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), identify the main issues picked up by markers. The first batch of reports, published today, covers the 10 most popular subjects.
[..] There is also good news for French teachers, who are told to be “very encouraged” by the first year of National 5 – even though some pupils were “clearly not presented at the appropriate level”.
Read more...
6 November 2014 (Consejería de Educación)
A 25-hour course, organised by the Spanish Embassy Education Office in the United Kingdom in collaboration with SALT, Spanish Academy of Language and Translation in Edinburgh, consisting of two parts: a language-focused one and a methodology-related one, dealing with language teaching strategies and methods for primary teachers.
Further information and enrolment details are available on the Spanish Academy of Language & Translation website or see the attached flyers.
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6 November 2014 (NUS Scotland)
NUS Scotland are looking to work with schools around Scotland between 17th -21st of November to celebrate and promote International Education Week. We will also be able to offer further sessions up to March as needed. The training is absolutely free as it is funded by the Scottish Government and we are ideally looking for S3-S6 cohorts although this is flexible with a training session of roughly 1 hour.
This is an innovative module on study abroad opportunities which was first launched on a pilot basis last year. Funded again by the Scottish Government as part of the Investing in Scotland’s Global Future project, the training module is now ready to be delivered by a Scotland Goes Global Ambassador at your school absolutely free of charge.
Scotland Goes Global Ambassadors are students who have studied abroad as part of their course. This scheme is a pilot project of paid students ambassadors designed to go out to schools, colleges and universities and deliver training on study abroad opportunities to students.
Schools Module
The schools module works from the basis of young people’s experience of global experiences that they might have locally and sets these in the context of their daily lives. It then takes them on a journey to understand why they should consider going global, either locally by opening up their minds to people in their community who might be from other cultures or online opportunities, or how they might go about trying to set themselves apart from the crowd by studying abroad as part of their future college or university choices.
Book a Global Ambassador or download the materials
Booking an Ambassador to come to your school couldn’t be easier. Complete the request form on the Scotland Goes Global website.
For more information on any aspect of our work, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing scotlandgoesglobal@nus-scotland.org.uk or by phoning Helen O’Shea on 07515 575375 or Kate Samuels on 07974305692.
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1 November 2014 (The Herald)
Scotland's language teachers - the good, the curious, the battle-scarred and the plain worn-out - gather today to share, learn and do some professional hand-holding at the annual conference of the Scottish Association of Language Teaching, or Salt.
With the grim news about the decline in Scotland's ability to talk to the rest of the world; the challenges of the Curriculum for Excellence; the Scottish Government's ambitious 1+2 policy to teach primary school children two languages; and the overhaul of national qualifications, it might be expected that language teachers would be waving the white flag.
But is it really a case of "nil points" for les profs? The keynote speaker at our conference is Dr Dan Tierney, who is championing meaningful continuing professional development for teachers and giving us a voice in national policy.
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30 October 2014 (Evening Telegraph)
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of Scottish Government funds have been pumped into Dundee to give every child the opportunity to learn two foreign languages in primary school.
Currently core languages such as French, German and Spanish are being introduced to the primary school curriculum, but there is scope for children to be speaking Gaelic, Russian and Mandarin in the near future.
Dundee City Council has received £131,170 to finance the 1+2 Approach for the 2014-15 school session in addition to the £103,973 it received in 2013-14.
Last year Hillside Primary School piloted the programme in which they started learning a foreign language as early as P1 before picking up another by P5, and now 16 more primaries are taking on the new language learning.
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8 October 2014 (National Library of Scotland)
A website to help primary schoolchildren learn Scots is launched today by the National Library of Scotland.
The 'Oor Wullie guide tae Scots language' site uses the famous cartoon character to get six-to 11-year-olds thinking about and using Scots words.
Several schools across Scotland worked with the Library to develop and test the learning activities, which include quizzes, a 'comic maker' and a word search.
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19 September 2014 (SEET)
“Our Europe is a great way to get young people engaged in language learning and thinking about European Issues. It asks them to form opinions in a fun and creative way.” – John Mulgrew, (Former Director of Education)
The Our Europe Film Competition is set to launch on 23 September 2014 for its third consecutive year. The project is run by the Scottish European Educational Trust, who are planning to make visits to schools over the coming months in order to promote the project and work with pupils.
The Our Europe film competition encourages an innovative approach to education by asking pupils from S3 -S6 to work in teams of four to create story boards, and subsequently films, about how being a European citizen affects them. Through the process of making storyboards, multi-lingual scripts and narratives the pupils are asked to consider European issues in a creative and engaging way.
The six best storyboards are selected and the teams behind them come together for a day’s workshop. During the workshop, pupils will work with media and language professionals to both make their films and develop their skillset. At the end of the day the teams will present their films to a panel of judges who will pick the best two. The two finalist teams chosen, win an educational tour of Brussels where they can meet European experts, practice their language in a real life context and develop their films further.
If you wish to register a team the competition will open on Tuesday 23 September and sign up forms as well as rules and FAQs will be available online at the competition website.
If you have any further questions or would like to discuss the possibility of SEET staff visiting your school please contact: madeleine@seet.org.uk.
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16 September 2014 (SCILT)
To support activities for the Mother Tongue Other Tongue competition, SCILT is sharing practical ideas for developing creative writing skills through the
“Creative Bag of Tricks” series published on the MTOT blog. The third item,
“Calligrams”, is available to read now.
Read more...
16 September 2014 (BBC News)
Inside the Glasgow Rangers football supporters' club there is the usual décor - union flags, team photos, even a portrait of the Queen. Diehard Rangers fans sit in a booth discussing the new season. They are joined by friends kitted out in the green and white of their long-time rivals, Glasgow Celtic. Not a word of English is spoken; the conversation is entirely in Scots Gaelic.
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11 September 2014 (Education Scotland)
Entries are being sought for the annual Gaelic Awards that recognise the contribution the language and culture make to Scottish life. Following the success of the 2013 Gaelic Awards, The Daily Record are proud to launch the 2014 campaign with sponsors Bord Na Gaidhlig. Education Scotland is delighted to sponsor the Innovation in Education Award.
Last year's awards celebrated dozens of individuals and community organisations who had made a huge difference to the Gaelic world. With 10 categories, this year’s awards will highlight education and language and the excellent work done to maintain growth and heritage.
To place a nomination please visit the Scottish Gaelic Awards website. The deadline for nominations is Friday 26 September.
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5 September 2014 (TESS)
A bilingual poetry competition is being launched by Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, backed by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The competition, initially aimed at Glasgow pupils, includes two strands: a “mother tongue” category that encourages non-native English speakers to write in their own language, and an “other tongue” category, which invites young people to enter using a language they are studying in school. If the pilot goes well, the competition could be extended nationally next year.
Read more...
27 August 2014 (The List)
An already engaging and exciting story becomes even more theatrical when ‘performed’ in a new language.
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19 August 2014 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has published the Primary Language Learning framework for P2-P7. This part of the framework complements the P1 guidance issued in December 2013.
The framework contains advice and support for practitioners who are introducing, or planning to introduce the teaching of a modern language from P1-P7. It contains learning maps to aid planning for teaching the first modern language (L2) as well as an overview of the essential Knowledge about Language required for children to progress in their language learning. There are film clips of primary language teaching, sound files of useful classroom language, progression grids and useful web links to support practitioners in their preparation and delivery of a contextualised modern language experience.
Read more...
Related Links
A link to the Education Scotland guidance materials can also be found on SCILT's
'Essentials for Planning in Primary' webpage.
19 August 2014 (Goethe-Institut)
The motivational game, suitable for P7 to S3 pupils, enables classes to discover German culture and language through a series of interactive challenges. Teachers now have the opportunity to visit the Goethe-Institut with their class and tackle the German Language Adventure.
New bookings are now invited for dates from 20 September onwards.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for more information and to see what previous participants have said about the project.
Read more...
19 August 2014 (SCILT)
Schools in Glasgow have been sent an email inviting them to enter the new multilingual poetry competition, Mother Tongue Other Tongue. The competition celebrates the diversity of cultures and languages spoken and learned by young people at school and at home and invites young people to be creative and find their own voice through poetry, lullabies, rap or songs. Full details are available on our website
Read more...
18 August 2014 (Education Scotland Learning Blog)
Education Scotland has worked with Social Enterprise Academy to develop a bespoke leadership award for teachers of Gaelic Medium Education who aspire to be principal teachers, depute headteachers and headteachers of nursery, primary and secondary GME provision. On this programme, you will gain invaluable insight into what it takes to be an effective leader. The leadership award will support teachers to:
- reflect on your role and identify your key strengths and areas for growth
- gain clarity on setting direction and developing confidence in communicating change
- gain confidence in your abilities as a leader
- develop your skills and knowledge to prepare you for being in a leadership role in GME provision, for example, leading the curriculum, self-evaluation, support those with additional support needs, professional development and review
- learn to use participatory techniques and other skills to improve your ability to engage in partnership working
- gain a nationally recognised qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
The programme will be delivered in two sessions, 16 & 17 September and 4 & 5 December 2014 at Columba 1400 on the Isle of Skye.
For more information and to apply, please contact Kate McArdle on 01463 238 088 or kate@theacademy-ssea.org.
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14 August 2014 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
In light of discussions with the languages community, Education Scotland has updated the key messages from the 1+2 report, produced further information about language continuity and developed a support paper to help local authorities and schools identify priorities and plan their strategic approach to 1+2.
To access the most recent recommendations and support documents for schools and local authorities, please visit the 'Supporting self-evaluation and strategic planning' section of our 1+2 webpages.
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5 August 2014 (SQA)
The Attainment Statistics (August) 2014 report in relation to SQA qualifications has now been published in Microsoft Excel format and can be viewed via the SQA website.
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5 August 2014 (Slate)
At first glance, the Scots Wikipedia page reads like a transcription of a person with a Scottish accent: "Walcome tae Wikipaedia, the free enclopaedia that awbody can eedit," it says. The main page's Newsins section includes info about the FIFA Warld Cup and a Featurt picture of a Ruddy Kingfisher from Kaeng Krachan Naitional Pairk in Thailand. If you type "scots wikipedia" into a Google search, the first autocomplete suggestion is "scots wikipedia joke," and a top hit is a Wikipedia talk page with a proposal for getting rid of Scots Wikipedia containing the following comment: "Joke project. Funny for a few minutes, but inappropriate use of resources."
But Scots is totally real, "not a joke," as pointed out by one of the Wikipedia editors, who overwhelmingly rejected the proposal. Their final verdict stated that the "proposer should educate him/herself in linguistic diversity," and included a link to the Wikipedia page for Scots.
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5 July 2014 (The Scotsman)
Shall There Be a Scottish Literature? It may seem that the question, posed to hundreds of international delegates gathered in Glasgow for the first World Congress of Scottish Literatures, is redundant. But it is worth asking, for three reasons.
First, there was certainly a time when a Scottish Literature did not exist. Second, even when its existence was asserted, it was often disputed. Third, prior or present existence does not guarantee future existence.
Read more...
3 July 2014 (The Herald)
Youngsters who take a gap year before starting university, college or employment are being targeted in a drive to improve language learning in the nation's schools.
Under the initiative, volunteers are twinned with primary and secondary schools to demonstrate the importance of learning a language for their trips and to promote wider cultural awareness.
The project also involves university language students who travel overseas on study placements or work as language assistants with the British Council.
Volunteers are linked with secondary schools that are already learning the language of the country they are visiting - either in Europe or further afield, with Spanish prevalent in South America and French commonly spoken in Africa.
In primary schools the focus is on promoting language learning more generally. The volunteers visit pupils before they go, stay in touch when they are overseas and return to the schools when they finish to update them on their progress - with input from teachers throughout to ensure the work fits in with the curriculum.
The Global Citizenship programme, a partnership between the British Council, Scotland's National Centre for Languages at Strathclyde University, NUS Scotland and Scottish-based educational charity Project Trust, has already been run as a pilot in 15 primary and secondary schools in Stirling and Falkirk.
Read more...
Related Links
Teenager leads the way with lessons on Ghana (The Herald, 3 July 2014)
Visit the Project Trust pages on our website for more information on the partnership project.
25 June 2014 (STV)
Scotland's teacher of the year has been named at the Scottish Education Awards.
Languages department head Gillian Campbell-Thow, from All Saints Secondary in Barmulloch in Glasgow, won the title at the Scottish Education Awards earlier in June.
Read more...
24 June 2014 (East Ayrshire Council)
Budding young entrepreneurs from East Ayrshire academies entered Sir Tom Hunter’s Dragons’ Den once more, in a bid to scoop the top prize of £3,000 – and Monsieur Soleil swept the board!
An educational board game in French/English, Monsieur Soleil (Mr Sunny) was the brainchild of the team from Doon Academy, Dalmellington, which took them to victory on the night.
Sir Tom praised the quality and innovation of the game, which could also expand into other languages – and he urged them to consider Mandarin.
Read more...
19 June 2014 (Scottish Parliament)
The European and External Relations Committee will meet on 26 June 2014 and receive a report from Scottish Government on the learning of foreign languages in primary schools.
To read the report, open this PDF Meeting Agenda and scroll down to Annexe C (p16).
Read more...
12 June 2014 (SCILT)
On Wednesday 28th of May, poets and young people from Glasgow schools celebrated the launch of the Mother Tongue Other Tongue (MTOT) multilingual poetry competition at the University of Strathclyde. SCILT is running the pilot competition for Glasgow schools from the start of the 2014-15 session. Take a look at the highlights of the launch event on our website and find out more about the competition and how your school can take part. Invitations to register in MTOT will be issued to schools throughout Glasgow in August so make sure you get involved!
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Posted in:
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All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
11 June 2014 (Education Scotland)
As part of the Commonwealth Games, Culture 2014 and the Big Song Relay, Robyn Stapleton and Maeve Mackinnon are coming together to teach the official Big Song Relay song ‘Here’s To All Our Common Wealth’.
We will be teaching it in English, Scots and Gaelic. The song is being sung all over Scotland following the Queen’s Baton and maybe you could join in when it passes.
Join us to find out more on Friday 13th June, 9.45 am, in Glow TV (login and password required).
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Word Wizard finals
6 June 2014 (SCILT)
Last Friday, 30th May, saw the final of our new Word Wizard competition take place in the prestigious venue of the Scottish Parliament. 60 pupils from schools across Scotland took part in the semi-finals in the morning, and over 100 pupils, teachers and guests enjoyed the final in the Members’ Restaurant. The day opened with an inspiring speech from Maureen Watt MSP and ended with a vote of thanks from Annette Zimmermann of the University of St Andrews, who supported us in running the competition. We were delighted to have Graham Blythe from the European Commission and Ms. Lv Yanxia from the Chinese Consulate present the shields and cups to the winners. The pupils demonstrated excellent skills in spelling, vocabulary and character recognition, and displayed great confidence in doing so in front of an audience.
The winners in each category were:
French Beginner:
- 1st Elspeth Nicol – Ross High School
- 2nd Amelie Davidson – St Joseph’s Academy
- 3rd Robert Brewer – The Glasgow Academy
French Intermediate:
- 1st Owen Wilson – Greenwood Academy
- 2nd Steffi Graham-McGill – James Hamilton Academy
- 3rd Emma Rattray – Dollar Academy
Gaelic Beginner:
- 1st Anna Gallagher – St Ninian’s High School (East Renfrewshire)
German Beginner:
- 1st Fraser Anderson – Stewart’s Melville College
- 2nd Charlotte Caskie – Lomond School
- 3rd Florence Macgregor – The Mary Erskine School
German Intermediate:
- 1st Eilish Murphy – St Margaret’s School for Girls
- 2nd Freja Arnlund – The Mary Erskine School
- 3rd Fiona Todman – Queen Anne High School
Mandarin Beginner:
- 1st Francesca Tassieri – Hillhead High School
- 2nd Charlotte Johns – Dollar Academy
- 3rd William Cox – Perth High School
Mandarin Intermediate:
- 1st Ines Bertaso – St Ninian’s High School (East Renfrewshire)
- 2nd Ivan Myachykov – Hillhead High School
- 3rd Jack Mitchell-Luker – Williamwood High School
Spanish Beginner:
- 1st Paul Gillon – John Ogilvie High School
- 2nd Georgie Cassidy – Dollar Academy
- 3rd Erin McIntyre – The Glasgow Academy
Spanish Intermediate:
- 1st Rosie Hutcheon – The Glasgow Academy
- 2nd Caitlin Barrie – John Ogilvie High School
- 3rd Ella McPherson – St Margaret’s School for Girls
We would like to congratulate all pupils who reached the finals and every pupil who took part in the competition in their schools over the past year.
We hope to see lots of you entering the competition next year!
5 June 2014 (Scottish Parliament)
Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, has lodged a parliamentary motion congratulating SCILT and CISS on the Word Wizard competition 2014. The motion states:
"That the Parliament congratulates Scotland‘s National Centre for Languages and the Confucius Institute for Scotland‘s Schools on the Word Wizard Competition 2014, which was held in the Parliament on 30 May 2014; recognises the S1-S3 pupils, including those from Bucksburn Academy and Hazlehead Academy in Aberdeen, who impressed the judges with their French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Gaelic skills; notes that, in partnership with the University of St Andrews, and with the support of the Goethe-Institut, the contest encourages pupils nationally to improve their vocabulary, and highlights what it sees as the importance of language and learning."
Motions are used by MSPs to initiate debate or propose a course of action, or simply to generate support, and many other MSPs have signed up in support of this motion. It's very encouraging to have SCILT/CISS work acknowledged in this way.
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Posted in:
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Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Scottish Parliament,
News from language & education organisations
5 June 2014 (Goethe-Institut)
The Goethe-Institut Glasgow has a number of exciting programmes to support teachers in delivering the Scottish Government's initiative of enabling pupils in Scotland to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue by 2020.
Two specially tailored language courses – locally and in Germany - offer a first step for teachers in the PRIMARY sector, who are keen to embrace and contribute to the new developments with confidence. Follow the links below to find out more about each course and to secure your place:
Other support also available to language teachers:
- The German Language Adventure – the popular motivation game for pupils and teachers – will be on offer in the new term throughout Scotland
- Film resources and screenings for all age groups at the Goethe-Institut and your local cinema will sharpen cultural awareness and classroom practice will be enhanced by our resources and CPD seminars
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for a full listing of events, resources and professional development opportunities.
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30 May 2014 (TESS)
Edinburgh has been piloting an ambitious approach to modern foreign language learning from nursery onwards in 15 schools. After a very successful evaluation, this approach will be rolled out to all schools from August.
Edinburgh’s “1+2” approach is based on three key principles: accessibility, sustainability and learning together. It acknowledges the opportunities and challenges of implementation noted in the evaluation of the national trials, and seeks creative ways to overcome them.
Making languages part of the everyday life of the school is our starting point. New, engaging and accessible resources, in a wide range of languages, are available for teachers to use as part of their everyday classroom routines, from lining up to counting to 100. The resources also cover class topics, and include sound files recorded by native speakers to support pupils and teachers with pronunciation.
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23 May 2014 (TESS)
Scotland’s ambitious policy to have pupils learning two foreign languages by the end of primary school has got off to a “very positive” start, but concerns remain over how to make it a lasting success, TESS can reveal.
Education Scotland’s evaluation of nine trial projects has found enthusiasm for languages among pupils of all ages, including those with additional support needs (ASN).
However, the report also stresses that work remains to be done before the “1+2” languages policy can be considered successful in the long term, with concerns lingering about how to make sure projects do not fizzle out owing to a lack of trained staff.
Children in the pilot schools – six primaries and three secondaries – tended to be “very positive” about language learning, confident about speaking in another language and keen to learn more of them, according to the report.
It also found that the pupils enjoyed the process when it was “engaging and relevant to their lives”. They saw the point of language learning if it was “clearly linked to the real world and relevant to future employment or leisure opportunities”.
A new qualification entitled Modern Languages for Life and Work had further enticed pupils by offering a vocational emphasis on languages with no exam at the end.
Read more...
23 May 2014 (Education Scotland / SCILT)
Evaluations of the 1+2 pilot projects have been published.
Education Scotland carried out an evaluation visit to each of the ten pilot projects and prepared an overall summary report. The evaluation visits for the ten pilots took place between June 2013 and April 2014. These evaluations indicate interim progress with the original aims of the projects and work is ongoing in the pilot schools.
The pilot programme for the ‘1+2 report’ began in June 2012 with an initial identification of possible pilot schools. The first of the primary pilots began in November 2012. In the case of the secondary school pilots, planning took place over session 2012-13 and the pilots began with the new session 2013-14.
The evaluations represent a very positive start to delivering the recommendations of the ‘1+2 report’.
Read the evaluations on our website.
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2 May 2014 (SCILT)
From August 2014, SCILT will be piloting the inspiring multi-lingual poetry competition and Poet Laureate Education Project, Mother Tongue Other Tongue, in Glasgow schools. If you are a teacher in a Glasgow primary or secondary school who is looking for a creative way to motivate language learning and celebrate all the languages spoken by your learners, go to our webpage to read more about what MTOT can offer you.
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Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
Language Learning,
Minority Languages,
Mother Tongue,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT news
2 May 2014 (The Independent)
Feilamort: the colour of a dead leaf. Browsing through the Scots Thesaurus, I came across this beautiful word. I use the Scots Thesaurus occasionally as a reference, but mainly for the pure pleasure of the sounds of the words, just as many listen to the Shipping Forecast for its poetry.
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23 April 2014 (Scottish Government)
The Scottish Government’s commitment for every child to start learning a second language from P1 onwards and a third no later than P5 by 2020 has been strengthened by a further investment of £1 million.
The increase brings the total, additional funding for languages in schools in 2014/2015 to £5 million. The money will build on the good work already underway in Scotland as part of the 1+2 policy, the most ambitious languages learning programme in the UK.
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14 April 2014 (The Scotsman)
They are the sort of obscure Scots phrases that can leave even a native English speaker scunnered and or possibly black-affrontit. And for those who are learning the language from scratch, some of the phrases used by Scots can be almost impossible to understand – until now.
Read more...
4 April 2014 (TESS)
With its opportunities for international travel, plus obligatory high heels and lipstick, the job of the “trolley dolly” or air hostess has long been regarded as a glamorous career choice.
The threat of international terrorism and advent of no-frills travel have served to make the lives of modern cabin crew far less glitzy. But at City of Glasgow College, which has received 353 applications for up to 23 places on its unique airline cabin crew training course, it seems that working at 35,000ft is as attractive as ever.
Languages, essential on international flights, are part of the course, with students required to study German, Spanish and French.
Read more...
4 April 2014 (The Economist)
Among the publications that the Scottish Book Trust, a charity funded in part by the Scottish government, sent to bairns last year was “Katie’s Moose: A Keek-a-boo Book for Wee Folk.” In this tale, Katie hunts for a menagerie of beasties, locating a pig “ahint the chair, daein a jig” and a “broon bear” whose “airm looks gey sair.” The Scots language, long derided as bad English with a thick accent or merely a northern dialect, now enjoys the backing of the state.
In 2011 the Scottish census asked for the first time whether people spoke Scots. Some 1.5m said yes.
Read more...
19 March 2014 (Scottish Government)
The statistics published today by the Registrar General for Scotland on the Scotland’s Census website, present further details from the 2011 Census in Scotland on Ethnicity, Identity, Language and Religion, from national to local level.
Other tables in this release, within the Standard Outputs menu, present information on:
- Gaelic language skills by sex by age
- English language skills by sex by age
- Language other than English used at home by sex by age
Read more...
Related Links
Graphical data on languages in Scotland (Scotland's Census 2011)
18 March 2014 (Inverclyde Now)
Third Year pupils at Inverclyde Academy put their problem-solving skills to the test during a Languages in Work event.
Working with representatives from local employers BPI Visqueen, IBM, and Concentrix, as well as student language ambassadors from Strathclyde University, pupil teams drew on the skills they have gained during their studies of modern foreign languages to solve a challenge in languages they hadn't studied before, including Dutch and Italian, as well as French and Spanish which they have already had lessons in.
Read more...
3 March 2014 (British Council)
British Council are running two Key Action 2 advice sessions in Edinburgh on 11th March, one in the morning, 9.30-12, and one in the afternoon, 14.00-16.30. These are informal sessions providing tailored support to schools who wish to apply for funding for school partnerships under Key Action 2. They will take place at the British Council office in Edinburgh.
There will also be an advice session for Local Authorities wishing to apply for Key Action 2 funding in our London office on 20th March.
British Council are also running these advice sessions as webinars for those who cannot make the face-to-face dates:
- Webinars for Local Authorities - 27 March 10:30; 25 March 10:30
- Webinars for Schools - 25 March 16:00; 26 March 16:00; 27 March 16:00
The deadline for Key Action 2 applications is 30th April 2014.
More information and online registration for the sessions can be accessed through the link below.
Read more...
21 February 2014 (Scottish Government)
At the meeting of the Scottish Parliament on 19 February 2014 during Portfolio Question Time - Education and Lifelong Learning, the Scottish Government was asked for an update on their foreign language engagement strategy.
See the Official Report for details.
Read more...
20 February 2014 (Radio Lingua/SEET)
The winning films from this year’s Our Europe film competition for schools can now be viewed online.
Read more...
6 February 2014 (SEET)
Congratulations to Lenzie Academy who triumphed at the final of the Our Europe Film Competition hosted by the Scottish European Educational Trust on Monday 3rd February.
Six teams of high school pupils (S3-S6) participated in the film-making workshop at SocietyM in Glasgow. With the assistance of technology expert, Mark Pentleton from Radio Lingua, the pupils worked hard throughout the day to turn their storyboard ideas into short films.
Download the attached flyer for details of all the finalists who took part or for more information about the competition visit the SEET website.
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Posted in:
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French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Language Learning,
Technology,
News from language & education organisations
31 January 2014 (Herald)
The number of Scottish pupils enrolling for new national examinations has dropped sharply, prompting fears that some subjects are being squeezed out of the curriculum. Official figures show entries have slipped about 10% this year after the introduction of National exams, which replace Standard Grades. The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) says pupils will take an average of 6.8 Nationals this summer, against the 7.3 Standard Grades sat last year, fuelling concerns among educationalists that subject choices for young people are being restricted. It is understood enrolments for language exams are down more than 10%, while the decline in sciences is about 8%. Maths and English enrolments have remained stable.
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30 January 2014 (Scots Language Centre)
Episode 2 of Scots Language Radio is available to listen to. The episode includes information about the new ‘Scots Toun Award’ which encourages communities to get involved to have a chance of winning up to £6000.
Read more...
22 January 2014 (Scottish Government)
Communities with strong links to their Scots heritage are being urged to nominate themselves for the new Scots Toun Awards.
The first prize of £6,000 will help the winner to develop new projects aimed at encouraging the Scots language, Minister for Scotland’s Languages Alasdair Allan announced today.
The awards have been launched by the Scots Language Centre and applicants have until February 28 to put themselves forward.
Read more...
Mandarin immersion course for teachers July 2014
10 January 2014 (CISS)
CISS will be running a Mandarin immersion course for teachers in Scotland this summer in partnership with the Tianjin Education Commission and Hanban. This course is suitable for primary or secondary teachers who are looking to teach beginners’ level Mandarin Chinese or introduce Chinese/China in their schools.
The course will take place in Tianjin between the 12th and 27th July 2014.
All costs for tuition, accommodation and food (3 meals a day) will be covered. In order to ease organisation, CISS will book flights and arrange visas for all participants but we will not cover the cost of this. The estimated cost for flights and visas will be roughly £1000. Participants will also be responsible for the cost of their own insurance.
To register for this course, please email katie.hawkins@strath.ac.uk by Friday 31 January.
10 January 2014 (SCILT/SQA)
We have produced an at-a-glance summary of the National 3, 4, 5 and Higher Qualifications for languages in a table format.
The document can be downloaded below, or found on the Senior Phase section of our website.
Read more...
9 January 2014 (TESS)
School qualifications are failing to keep pace with immigration in Scotland, with the result that the language skills of thousands of children and young people from Poland are not being recognised, campaigners have warned.
According to the latest census, carried out in 2011, Poles are Scotland's largest migrant group. They number 61,000, overtaking the 49,000-strong Pakistani population, which was the largest migrant group at the time of the 2001 census.
However, although it is possible to sit National and Higher exams in Urdu there are no national qualifications in Polish in Scotland. GCSE and A-level qualifications in the language are available in other parts of the UK. But support from Scottish schools and local authorities for Polish students to take these qualifications is patchy, according to Beata Kohlbek, who sits on the Polish Council, a body set up by the Polish Consulate General in Edinburgh to campaign on issues affecting the community.
Read more...
Glasgow Modern Languages Festive Newsletter 2013
17 December 2013 (Glasgow City Council)
Download the newsletter to learn about the range of language and cultural events which have taken place within Glasgow's schools.
CISS Newsletter Autumn 2013
12 December 2013 (CISS)
The latest edition of the CISS newsletter has been published. This edition highlights the promotion of Chinese language and culture around the country. Please download the newsletter if you'd like to find out more.
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
Chinese,
Scotland,
1+2,
Celebrating Languages,
Community Languages,
CPD,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Foreign Language Assistants,
Language Learning,
Language Learning - Primary,
Language Learning - Secondary,
Minority Languages,
Partnership Working,
Promoting Languages,
Study Abroad
9 December 2013 (Engage for Education)
When they use Scots language creatively, children and young people in Scotland regularly make their parents’ and teachers’ jaws drop. As a Scots writer and teacher, I’ve witnessed this time and time again. People recount in detail and with great excitement the moment a child they thought had poor speaking skills or few creative sparks about them suddenly shone, lit up a classroom or wowed an entire school hall at a concert causing family and friends to gasp with astonishment.
When a young Scots speaker who has been told most of their life that speaking Scots is wrong encounters a positive Scots language learning experience, there is often a life-changing transformation and explosion of creative energy within that young person.
Read more...
5 December 2013 (Insidelearning)
‘Duelling Panchos’ is latest episode from insidelearning.net, the learning podcast.
Gillian Campbell-Thow, Chair of Scottish Association for Language Teaching (SALT), Education Support Officer (ML) at Glasgow City Council and PT at All Saints Secondary joined Matthew Boyle, Jay Helbert to consider the Scottish Government’s 1+2 language learning policy and PISA2012. Listen to or download the podcast by following the link below to the insidelearning.net website.
Please note that the views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of SCILT.
Read more...
26 November 2013 (SEET)
The Scottish European Educational Trust runs an annual Euroquiz for P6 pupils, which sees teams of four pupils working together to broaden their knowledge of Europe. Subjects covered include history, geography, sport, culture, languages and the European Union.
Heats take place in local authorities from January to March each year, with the winning team from each authority area competing in the national final, which takes place in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament in May.
Registration for the 2014 Euroquiz is now open.
Visit the SEET website for all the details plus a selection of resources to help prepare for the competition.
Read more...
26 November 2013 (The Herald)
A leading academic has issued a warning over the Scottish Government's "muddled" strategy to increase language learning in primary schools.
Dr Dan Tierney, a reader in languages at Strathclyde University, believes the plan is currently unworkable because it lacks national continuity.
The warning comes two years after the Government announced proposals to teach all primary pupils at least two modern languages in addition to their mother tongue - known as the 1+2 model.
Since then, the Languages Working Group has recommended 35 improvements, including better training for teachers and greater support for pupils in the classroom.
Languages identified for primary schools under the plan include Arabic, Chinese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Urdu.
However, Mr Tierney argues that, unless the Scottish Government prioritises some of these, pupils will arrive at secondary school with a wide variety of different experiences.
Read more...
Related Links
Greater worries than muddled language strategy (The Herald, Letters, 28 November 2013)
22 November 2013 (TESS)
1+2 boosts enthusiasm and employability, conference hears
Primary children taking part in a pilot of Scotland’s ambitious national languages initiative have made rapid progress, and secondary students on the scheme have found a new enthusiasm for languages, a conference has heard.
The Scottish government is also likely to match, for another two years, the £4 million already given to local authorities to implement the scheme, it has emerged.
Under the approach known as 1+2, all primary schools should by 2020 offer a language other than English from P1 and another by P5. The scheme also demands that progress should not stall after children move up to secondary school.
Staff in primaries piloting the 1+2 initiative have shown greater confidence and commitment to languages, while parents have been very supportive, Education Scotland inspector and modern languages national specialist Fiona Pate told delegates at an event in Stirling last week.
Read more...
21 November 2013 (Education Scotland/British Council)
Education Scotland and British Council Scotland are currently looking for a Development Officer on a secondment basis. Candidates should possess a degree-level qualification in teaching (or equivalent), experience of working in an international education context (including school-based programmes such as e-twinning), partnership working and delivering Curriculum for Excellence in a classroom setting. Please visit the Education Scotland vacancy webpage for further information and application details.
Read more...
20 November 2013 (Daily Record)
BBC Scotland presenters Kirsteen MacDonald and Alasdair Fraser have both seen Gaelic’s profile raised since they were children. The pair are familiar faces on our screens from Reporting Scotland to BBC Alba, and tonight they host the first Scottish Gaelic Awards at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. And having both begun learning Gaelic at an early age, they’re looking forward to honouring those who have played a part in its growth.
Read more...
Related Links
Botanics to host Scottish Gaelic Awards this week (The Edinburgh Reporter, 18 November 2013)
18 November 2013 (Engage for Education blog)
The National Language Conference, held in Stirling, offered a valuable opportunity to harness the expertise and experience of education experts to drive forward our work to ensure that every child in Scotland has the opportunity to learn two languages in addition to their own mother tongue by 2020.
I am fully aware of how ambitious this target is, but I am confident we can and will deliver it. To ensure the nation’s prosperity, it is essential that young people are attracted to learning modern languages, which will help them develop a truly international outlook and, equip them with the skills needed in the new Europe and in the 21st centrury global marketplace.
Read more...
12 November 2013 (SCILT/SQA)
In September we compiled and published a list of questions we have been frequently asked at Outreach events regarding the New Qualifications and worked in partnership with SQA to answer these questions.
The SQA have now requested the following amendments to the Q&A document, which are highlighted in bold text:
Section B
How many contexts must be covered at National 4?
A minimum of two of the four contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture, must be covered at National 4 (this previously indicated all four contexts).
Section D
How many contexts must be covered at National 5?
All four contexts of Society, Learning, Employability and Culture, must be covered in order to prepare candidates for the Course Assessment where all 4 contexts are represented across Reading and Listening assessments.
You can see the full list of FAQs on the Senior Phase section of our website.
Read more...
11 November 2013 (SCILT)
SCILT is currently looking for a new Professional Development Officer on a seconded or fixed term basis. If you are a solution-focussed, creative practitioner, experienced at leading languages in a secondary context and would like to join our dynamic team then please follow the link below to the University of Strathclyde vacancies website.
Read more...
31 October 2013 (SQA)
The latest update from the SQA on the new qualifications is now available. The following updates will be of particular interest to language practitioners:
- Updated Unit assessment support for National 3 to National 5 Modern Languages
- Case Studies on new Awards – Modern Languages for Life and Work
Read more...
31 October 2013 (Engage for Education)
I was on the radio last week talking about a new book in Scots. “So what is Scots?” the presenter asked. I was surprised he didn’t know. After all, Scottish language, Scottish presenter, Scottish radio station. Huge numbers of their listeners speak in Scots every day. Don’t broadcasters get training on these sorts of things? At the very least, a memo? Still, that’s the way it goes and we haven’t answered the presenter’s pertinent question. So what is Scots anyway?
Read more...
Glasgow Modern Languages Newsletter - Autumn 2013
29 October 2013 (Glasgow City Council)
To read about all the recent exciting events and activities relating to modern languages in Glasgow's schools, download the Autumn newsletter.
15 October 2013 (CISS)
In conjunction with the Confucius Institute at Glasgow University, CISS was given the opportunity to take 350 pupils from all over Scotland to see the premiere of the play
Dragon at the Citizens Theatre. This wonderful co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland, Tianjin Children’s Art Theatre and Vox Motus is highly unusual given that there are no words spoken throughout the play. The audience is invited to take a visual and emotional journey using their imagination. The use of puppetry, illusion and music allows this to happen.
Read more...
11 October 2013 (Daily Record)
Pupils at John Ogilvie High celebrated the diversity of European languages and culture last Thursday to mark the European Day of Languages.
The whole school participated in the celebration, with flags and garlands in the colours of the European nations decorating main areas of the school and youngsters and teachers dressed in various national costumes.
Pupils enjoyed a wide range of activities throughout the school day, including a visit from language ambassadors from the University of Strathclyde, who shared their experiences in Spain, Poland, France and Italy.
Read more...
10 October 2013 (Dundee Contemporary Arts)
The Discovery Film Festival 2013 takes place between 19 October and 3 November and offers a variety of foreign language films for all ages.
Opening this year's festival is the UK premiere of 'Victor and the Secret of Crocodile Mansion' – a hugely enjoyable mystery thriller that will have all the family guessing as to exactly what lies behind the secrets of Crocodile Mansion. Suspenseful and atmospheric, it’s a classic Hitchcockian mystery for thrill seekers aged eight upwards. Screening is in German with English subtitles and open to the public.
For schools, there is a programme of events running from 22 - 31 October, with screenings suitable for primary and secondary students in a variety of languages including French, German, Spanish, Russian and Japanese.
See the DCA website for full programme details.
The schools programme and booking information can also be accessed directly via the link below.
Read more...
Posted in:
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Resources,
News from language & education organisations,
Russian,
Japanese
8 October 2013 (Goethe-Institut)
Available from mid October 2013, the Goethe-Institut are offering a new opportunity for pupils ready to embrace a new language. This free, motivational game is suitable for P7 to S3, with the main target group being S2 and S3 before subject choice.
This unique motivational game sends its participants on a discovery tour through 16 cities in Germany and Austria cities, each with an interactive task to complete.
A team of native German speakers will visit your school and set up a German adventure course with 16 discovery stations for a half-day of interactive German language fun.
Visit the Goethe-Institut website for full details and to register your interest.
Read more...
3 October 2013 (Evening Times)
We may all love to banter, but only one in four Glaswegians has the Patter.
That, at least, is the conclusion of the first full-scale survey of how many of us speak "wir ain leid".
More than 142,000 people in the city said they spoke Scots in the 2011 census - around 25% of the entire population old enough to talk. Glasgow being the biggest city in Scotland, it also has the biggest concentration of Scots-speakers.
Read more...
2 October 2013 (SCILT)
More from Game On! SCILT and Education Scotland have developed a learning journey designed to support the learning and teaching of modern languages at 3rd level.
Using the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a context this learning journey suggests opportunities for learners to explore ideas about how to promote Scotland as a destination to foreign visitors and encourages them to consider the importance of being able to communicate in different languages. Learners are also encouraged to consider the sustainability of the tourist industry by considering the impact of tourism on the environment, examining Eco-tourism projects overseas and designing similar projects in Scotland.
A Game On GLOW Meet to introduce all the literacy and languages learning journeys will take place later in the year. On your marks for GLOW tv!
The resource is available to download now at the Game On! website.
Read more...
30 September 2013 (Scots Language Centre)
National Poetry Day 2013 is on Thursday 3 October, and this year's theme is water. Among the poems being promoted is the Scots language poem by George Campbell Hay 'Seeker, Reaper'. Suitable for study by secondary pupils, the following resources have been provided by the Scottish Poetry Library.
Read more...
30 September 2013 (Southern Reporter)
It is good to see figures being produced for the first time from the 2011 census on the number of those speaking Scots.
Now that we know that 1.54million people speak the language and where they are located, we can begin to plan how to support communities of Scots speakers and encourage these communities to value their language and pass it on to future generations.
Read more...
Related Links
Action to preserve Scots tongue (The Herald, 28 September 2013)
26 September 2013 (Engage for Education)
Today marks the tenth anniversary of the European Day of Languages – an annual celebration of the linguistic and cultural diversity across the globe.
Across Scotland, schools are celebrating with a wide range of innovative and fun activities which will fire their imaginations and give them an appetite for other languages. For example, in Edinburgh – where only yesterday I officially opened the city’s first dedicated Gaelic school, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pairce – pupils will be taking part in French and German language events, bringing pupils together from different schools to join in fun challenges. They will also be welcoming native language speakers and learning from them.
Read more...
26 September 2013 (Education Scotland/SCILT)
Learning ideas around the context of the Commonwealth Games are available at the Game On! website.
SCILT and Education Scotland have developed a learning journey designed to support the learning and teaching of modern languages at primary level.
Read more...
Posted in:
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Learning - Primary,
Language Teaching,
Resources,
SCILT news,
News from language & education organisations,
Sport
SQA Frequently Asked Questions
26 September 2013 (SCILT/SQA)
We have compiled a list of questions we have been frequently asked at Outreach events regarding the New Qualifications. We have worked in partnerships with SQA to answer these questions as fully as we can.
Download the attached document.
23 September 2013 (Scottish Government)
The European and External Relations Committee conducted an inquiry into foreign language learning in primary schools during 2012–2013, and published a report of its findings and recommendations in June 2013. The Scottish Government responded to the Committee’s report on 30 July 2013. The response sets out the Scottish Government’s position on each of the Committee’s recommendations (see Annexe A of the 19 September 2013 meeting papers).
The Scottish Government has indicated that it will update the Committee three times a year on its new languages policy and its use of the 1 + 2 languages model, which was scrutinised in the inquiry. This will allow the Committee to monitor the policy and the Committee’s recommendations, and the Committee may wish to carry out further work following these reports once the policy has had sufficient time to become established. These updates will be published on the Committee’s website so that those interested in the inquiry can follow this process.
See the meeting papers and official report from the EERC meeting on 19 September.
Full background information to the Inquiry and related documentation can also be found on the 'A 1+2 Approach to Language Learning' webpages on the SCILT website.
Read more...
Word Wizard Competition! New for school session 2013-2014
17 September 2013 (SCILT)
We are pleased to announce that our brand new spelling competition, Word Wizard, will be launched very shortly.
This competition is aimed at encouraging S1- S3 pupils, studying French, German, Spanish, Mandarin and Gaelic, to learn vocabulary, and have fun at the same time.
If you want to motivate your pupils, and take part in this new initiative, watch this space for details of how to register.
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Chinese,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT,
SCILT news
16 September 2013 (Scottish Government)
Scotland only UK country to offer support for study in EU. Up to 500 Scots studying at five European universities will be able to apply for financial support in a pilot that marks the first time any UK students have been offered help with European study.
Scots enrolled at Scottish universities already benefit from the best package of support in the UK, including free tuition fees, Education Secretary Michael Russell said this shows how decisions taken in Scotland benefit Scots.
Now those who choose eligible courses at the University of Southern Denmark, Malmo University in Sweden, Rhein Waal University in Germany, and the universities of Groningen and Maastricht in the Netherlands can have their fees paid by the country they study in and apply for the same package of bursaries and loans as those studying in Scotland.
Read more...
6 September 2013 (The Herald)
Plans to expand foreign language teaching in Scotland face being undermined by the lack of overseas assistants in the classroom, it has been claimed.
The warning follows figures that show a lack of progress in boosting the numbers of native language speaking staff in schools. Now the British Funding Council has called for funding for the assistants to be ring-fenced in an attempt to improve the uptake. Councils have employed only 70 foreign language assistants for the 2013/14 school year despite a campaign to increase their use.
Before the onset of council cuts, Scottish schools employed hundreds of the assistants - native speaking staff who work to bring language learning alive, as well as fine-tuning comprehension and pronunciation.
The foreign language assistant programme, run by British Council Scotland, is funded by the Scottish Government, but the money is no longer specifically set aside and most councils have decided to use funding elsewhere.
Read more...
3 September 2013 (Education Scotland)
The latest updates on the new National Qualifications are now on SQA’s website.
The following will be of particular interest to language teachers:
Read more...
SALT Annual Conference: Promoting Excellence
30 August 2013 (SALT/SCILT)
The Scottish Association for Language Teaching is holding its annual conference on 2 November 2013 in the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.
Joe Dale will be keynoting at the conference and presenting our theme "Promoting Excellence" and there will be a wide range of sessions covering language learning from early years to further and higher education. There is a real focus on teaching and learning as well as the chance to get an update on the bigger picture of languages in Scotland. There will be contributions from speakers directly involved in its development and the role of languages in the curriculum as well as sessions for students and NQTs. The specialist publishers' exhibition, including stands from various language organisations, will form an integral part of the conference as well.
The programme will include 3 seminar sessions with a range of seminars/workshops in each for delegates to choose from.
Full details will be available on the SALT and SCILT webpages soon.
The SALT website is currently under review and due for re-launch in the near future, but you can follow @SALTALBA on Twitter for updates.
26 August 2013 (SCILT/Education Scotland)
Education Scotland has identified the key messages from the 'Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 approach' report to help local authorities and schools identify priorities and plan their strategic approach to 1+2. This can now be accessed on the 1+2 section of our website, alongside the ‘Supporting self-evaluation and planning for improvement’ audit tool Education Scotland also developed to help Local Authorities identify their priorities and next steps for taking forward the recommendations.
Read more...
23 August 2013 (TES)
Students at an East Dunbartonshire secondary are scoring top grades in Latin - even though the school has no qualified teacher in the subject and no timetabled classes.
Bearsden Academy depute headteacher Annette MacKay said that Latin has become a "cult" favourite among high-achieving students since an after-school club was set up in 2011-12.
Read more...
23 August 2013 (BBC News)
Highland Council has launched an online map showing where it provides Gaelic education in nurseries, playgroups and schools.
The local authority said it hoped the resource would be useful for parents and also help it to identify gaps in provision.
The map shows the locations of primary and secondary schools where the language is taught.
Read more...
Related Links
Highland Council unveils Gaelic schools map (The Scotsman, 22 August 2013)
22 August 2013 (SCILT)
Materials created by one of the teachers in North Ayrshire Council have been uploaded onto #mlscilt for National 4 Added Value Unit in French.
You will need a Glow userid/login to access the materials.
Read more...
19 August 2013 (Engage for Education)
Maureen McKenna, Executive Member for Education, Glasgow City Council said: “Glasgow has been working on a sustained and planned approach in the development of languages in the city to enhance the learning and teaching in our schools.
“Glasgow was ably represented on the Scottish Government languages working group by Gillian Campbell-Thow, an experienced principal language teacher who also has a city-wide language remit and support role for our schools in all sectors.
Glasgow is in the process of proactively working to encourage the uptake of 1 + 2 languages in primary schools across the city with more and more teachers being trained. This session primary teachers have the chance to train in French, Spanish, German, Italian and Gaelic. Early years training will be available in French, Spanish, Gaelic, Polish and Arabic.
Read more...
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
1+2,
French,
Gaelic,
German,
Italian,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Language Teaching,
News from language & education organisations,
Arabic
2 August 2013 (East Dunbartonshire Council)
A group of 33 pupils and 5 teachers, led by the school’s Director, Mr Hongjie Liu, during their tour of the UK are visiting our East Dunbartonshire Council Confucius Hub, based in St Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch. This visit will further deepen the partnership between the two schools, St Ninian's HS and Number 42 High School, Tianjin.
Read more...
6 August 2013 (SQA)
The Scottish Qualifications Authority today announces details of the results for National Courses and Awards 2013.
There was an increase in the pass rate for the Scottish Baccalaureate – 85.9% (+6.7). The percentage point difference from 2012 is indicated in brackets.
The number of candidates sitting Chinese languages across all levels (from Access to Advanced Higher) continues to rise, up 36.3 per cent since 2010. Courses in Mandarin (Simplified) are the most popular and are usually taken by learners from a non-heritage background.
Download the attached pdf for a full summary of the 2013 performance across SQA courses in Modern Languages.
Read more...
5 July 2013 (TESS)
The Scottish government has set its languages target for 2020, but with a shortage of money and resources the initiative may struggle to succeed.
The scale of the ambition has to be applauded. The size of what the Scottish government hopes to achieve by 2020 with its 1+2 language strategy is vast. All children are to learn a second language from Primary 1 and to start a third language no later than in Primary 5.
Read more...
24 June 2013 (Evening Times)
THE kids at All Saints don't need to be convinced that foreign languages are important. Because they hear them every day.
Scots-born pupils at this Glasgow comprehensive – thanks to a decade of steady immigration – are now routinely exposed to the chat in an estimated 30 languages.
And, say teachers, it is starting to rub off on them.
So much so that the school is expanding its capacity to teach languages amid solid demand.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Cultural Diversity,
Foreign Language Assistants,
Language Learning,
Language Teaching,
Languages in the press,
Russian
Glasgow Modern Languages Newsletter - June 2013
24 June 2013 (Glasgow City Council)
Download a copy of the latest Glasgow Modern Languages Newsletter, packed with articles on language activities from across all the city's schools.
21 June 2013 (Scottish Parliament)
Local authorities should ensure one language is taught across primary schools and into secondary schools according to a report published today (Friday 21 June) by the European and External Relations Committee.
The report endorses the goal of teaching primary school children two languages in addition to their mother tongue. However, the Committee has highlighted the need for a locally relevant language selected for continuity from primary to secondary school. The Committee also calls for children with Additional Support Needs to be adequately provided for.
Read more...
19 June 2013 (SCHOLAR)
In an exciting change to our Annual Conference, we are pleased to announce that this year we will be touring Scottish schools in our own SCHOLAR Bus.
The SCHOLAR Bus timetable has still to be finalised, however, our staff will be on their journey during the 2nd to 6th September 2013. There will be 10 bus stops throughout the central belt of Scotland and we hope to stop at your school or one near you. If this venture is a success, then we will extend it to all of Scotland in future years.
Visit the SCHOLAR website for more information about the SCHOLAR bus and to experience some of the material provided by SCHOLAR for both teachers and students covering a range of subjects, such as Mandarin, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Read more...
Our Europe Film Competition winners, Bearsden Academy!
19 June 2013 (SEET)
Throughout the past year, the Scottish European Educational Trust has run a film competition called Our Europe: Our People, Our Places, Our Parliament. Teams from all secondary schools in Scotland were invited to take part in this competition. They were asked to create a short film to raise awareness of the positive impact of the European Parliament on the lives of young people in the EU. The competition was organised over three stages and has been designed to offer young people the opportunity to increase their knowledge and understanding of Europe, develop their technology skills, increase their use of European languages and gain a range of transferrable skills through the creative process.
The final was held at Scotland House in Brussels on Wednesday 19 June, where Bearsden Academy claimed the winning title of this year’s Our Europe competition. Runner's up were Douglas Academy.
Download the attached press release for full details.
14 June 2013 (Teaching Scotland)
The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has put together a survey asking for feedback on a possible creation of a separate Scots Unit within the curriculum. The survey has come about as there has been a recent indication of possible growing demand amongst practitioners for a separate Unit focusing on Scots.
The deadline for taking part in the survey is Friday 28 June 2013.
Visit the Teaching Scotland website to complete the Scots language survey online.
Read more...
13 June 2013 (SecEd)
In the midst of a decline in foreign language learning in Scotland, some schools are inspiring young people to buck the trend. Sam Phipps finds out how.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
Chinese,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Cross-Curricular Working,
Curriculum for Excellence,
Language Learning - Secondary,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
Languages in the press,
Russian
12 June 2013 (Yakety Yak)
For details of language sessions in Edinburgh over the summer period, see the latest newsletter from Yakety Yak.
Read more...
11 June 2013 (The Herald)
Latin has been re-introduced in six primary schools in Fife and could be rolled out across Scotland in a bid to bring the language of Ancient Rome back to Scottish classrooms. The subject dropped from favour during the 1980s and now few state schools, and not even every independent school, offer it.
Read more...
10 June 2013 (Education Scotland Awards blog)
Today the Scottish Education Awards 2013 celebrated the hard work and success which takes place in Scottish education. The awards ceremony at the Hilton Hotel Glasgow recognises the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people and the valuable work and innovation happening in Scottish classrooms.
The winner of the Gaelic Language and Culture in Learning Award was Caledonia Primary School in Glasgow, whilst the Global Citizenship Award went to The Gordon Schools in Aberdeenshire.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists.
Read more...
7 June 2013 (TESS)
It was ironic that in an edition where the main news article ("CfE reforms have caused workload hike, survey finds") was about the burden on primary teachers a linguistics professor should call for them to face the "challenge" of an early start in teaching languages (Interview: Antonella Sorace).
The research evidence does not support that. Ms Sorace's expertise lies in bilingualism and I would be delighted if we were able to surround P1s with, say, French spoken by fluent speakers, as happened in Walker Road Primary in Aberdeen. But that is not what the government is proposing.
Read more...
Related Links
Antonella Sorace interview (TESS, 24 May 2013)
Workload worries over CfE (TESS, 24 May 2013)
6 June 2013 (SCILT)
SCILT's Summer Series of GLOW is now over. If you want to revisit them, share them with others, or if you missed out the first time round, you can view them at #mlscilt.
Remember to leave an intention on the CHANGE page of the #mlscilt professional learning community afterwards.
NEWS JUST IN: SCILT GLOW Meet re-commissioned for a new series in the autumn!
Read more...
6 June 2013 (SCILT)
School pupils from the Highlands to the Borders tested their linguistic skills in the final of Scotland's first National Modern Languages Spelling Bee, at the Scottish Parliament on Friday 31 May.
In the spirit of “1+2”, pupils demonstrated their knowledge of vocabulary and spelling in French, German or Spanish before an audience of parents, teachers, fellow pupils and invited guests.
Congratulations to all the pupils who took part in the competition and especially to those who competed so admirably in Friday's final.
The winners in each category were:
French
1st Manon Robinson – Glen Urquhart High School
2nd Jessica Fowler – The Nicolson Institute
3rd Ellis Wright – Boclair Academy
4th Veronica Haughey – The Glasgow Academy
Spanish
1st Amy Spence – Carluke High School
2nd Zainab Munir – The Glasgow Academy
3rd Jack Anderson – Carluke High School
4th Rosie Hutcheon – The Glasgow Academy
German
1st Jodie Howlett – Bo’ness Academy
2nd Ben Gallacher – Paisley Grammar School
3rd Ben Hewitt – Paisley Grammar School
4th Yanna Zubido – Paisley Grammar School
We are in the process of developing a page on our website to showcase the final, including photos and video footage of proceedings, so please keep checking back!
Feedback from the inaugural event has been positive and encouraging and we will use this to build on our experience to make the Spelling Bee Competition even better next year. We will be sending out details of the competition for 2014 at the start of the new term in August so please do sign up!
If you'd like further information about this year's competition please visit our website.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT,
Scottish Parliament,
SCILT news
6 June 2013 (The Herald)
The number of youngsters studying languages in Glasgow up to S4 has dropped steeply.
New figures show there were just 3822 entries for exams in the subjects last year, down one- quarter in a decade.
Council bosses expect the figure to fall even further in coming years as what was once compulsory becomes increasingly optional.
Read more...
4 June 2013 (The Scotsman)
Representatives of the Spanish Ministry of Education are to visit Dundee University tomorrow to sign a new collaboration agreement to strengthen existing links between the institution and Spain.
Liborio López García, the Spanish Counsellor of Education in London, and Joaquín Moreno Artesero, an Edinburgh-based Education Adviser to Spain, will meet Professor David Finkelstein, Dean of the School of Humanities, to sign the new agreement.
A university spokesman explained: “The agreement will see the Ministry promote the university’s programmes in Spain and throughout the UK, as well as supporting public engagement activities and existing Spanish language classes, workshops and other services.
Read more...
2 June 2013 (Charleston Academy)
Claire Macleod (1L1) represented Charleston Academy at the National Spelling Bee competition held at the Scottish Parliament on Friday. She achieved the highest score of all the first years taking part. She was very dedicated and practised every lunch time the week leading up to the event. Danielle Ross (1K1) came second and was invited as official supporter. Her enthusiasm was very much appreciated by all.
Thirty seven S1 pupils from twenty schools in thirteen authorities were invited to compete in the final. They were asked to learn two hundred words in French, German or Spanish. They had to be able to translate the words from English and spell them using the alphabet of the target language. They had to spell as many words as possible in one minute.
Read more...
Posted in:
S1-S3,
French,
German,
Spanish,
Scotland,
Awards,
Celebrating Languages,
Language Learning,
Promoting Languages,
SCILT,
Scottish Parliament,
News from language & education organisations
30 May 2013 (Articulate Language Camps)
Articulate Language Camps will be running a range of language-learning summer camps this summer just north of Glasgow. You can find out more about the camps themselves by visiting the website www.articulate-languagecamps.com.
In order to help spread the word about what they are offering, Kara from Articulate is spending June on a tour of Scottish schools. She is offering assemblies about why it is important to learn languages and mini language and digital media workshops for free. She will also be able to offer places to the young people at the net cost of running the camps. This is open to all primary and secondary schools.
If you are interested in Kara visiting your school before the end of term, email her at nisbet.kara@articulate-languagecamps.com or call her on 07791698945.
Read more...
24 May 2013 (The Telegraph)
Language experts have criticised the Church of Scotland for banishing an old Scots word from its documents.
Read more...
Beyond the Panda
17 May 2013 (Edinburgh Zoo)
This three part outreach programme from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is aimed at pupils in P5-P7 and will give them the opportunity to find out more about China and the Society's conservation work as they look at the following topics:
- The Panda—Learning about the giant panda
- China—Discovering China - past and present
- Our World—Taking action in our world
The programme costs £100 which includes a 2 hour workshop, resource pack and additional support. Discounts are available if schools book two workshops. For full details of the programme, please download the Beyond the Panda pdf file or contact Sandie Robb, srobb@rzss.org.uk
This programme is run in partnership with CISS, SCEN, other Confucius Institutes and Confucius Hubs.
17 May 2013 (TESS)
Teachers must help children grasp the basics of English before true success with Scotland's ambitious foreign language targets can be achieved, a major event on language teaching has heard.
The message came from one of Europe's leading figures in language learning, who underlined that all teachers must take responsibility for English.
His comments were timely, as Scotland presses ahead with the 1+2 policy - the idea that young Scots should routinely learn two languages in addition to English, and at least one from P1.
Read more...
Related Links
Two foreign languages by age 12? Watch video highlights of the European + External Relations Committee Languages Enquiry conference.
Scottish Government plans: teaching of two languages in primary school (ECML, 14 May 2013)
15 May 2013 (SEET)
Congratulations to the P6 team from Cradlehall Primary School in Inverness who won the Scottish European Educational Trust’s national Euroquiz final, which took place in the Scottish Parliament on 13 May 2013.
The quiz is run by the Scottish European Educational Trust (SEET) with almost 1300 pupils from 315 schools competing in the heats held across 29 of the 32 local authorities throughout the school year.
For the first time this year, the event has attracted Scottish Government funding to support the inclusion of a language component in the Euroquiz. In the language round participants had to demonstrate their understanding of simple questions and phrases spoken in French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Full details of the Euroquiz final and all the participating schools can be found on the attached flyer. Or you can visit the SEET website for more information about the competition.
Read more...
13 May 2013 (Guardian)
What more could and should we be doing with languages in schools? Louise Tickle takes a look at the language learning landscape in the UK.
Read more...
10 May 2013 (Scottish Parliament)
Teaching primary children two languages in addition to their mother tongue will be examined as the topic of debate in the Scottish Parliament today (Friday 10 May) as part of an inquiry by the European and External Relations Committee. Teachers, policy makers and European organisations are coming together to discuss the findings so far of the Committee’s languages inquiry and look together at the issues before the Committee publishes its report.
Read more...
10 May 2013 (TESS)
In my article "Learning new languages is now a primary concern" (26 April), a particular emphasis was underplayed in the editing of the piece.
Read more...
Glasgow Modern Languages Newsletter - May 2013
9 May 2013 (Glasgow City Council)
For all the latest information on language events and activities in Glasgow's schools, please download the attached newsletter.
5 May 2013 (Scottish Express)
Scotland's new single police force has come under fire after it emerged its website can be translated into almost 70 languages - but not Scots Gaelic.
Read more...
4 May 2013 (Selkirk Weekend Advertiser)
As I was leafing through the pages of my newspaper one morning this week, I found a piece telling me that teaching foreign languages in schools has reached worryingly low levels in Scotland.
Read more...
1 May 2013 (The Scotsman)
There are a great many words in the Scots language to describe a mess of rather impressive proportions, with terms like ‘tip’ and ‘midden’. Less well known, perhaps, is the word ‘guddle’ which has the added appeal of describing not only the mess typical of a teenager’s bedroom but also any confusing or complex situation.
Read more...
30 April 2013 (BBC Radio Scotland)
Listen to today's episode of 'Call Kaye' where callers are invited to discuss the declining numbers of Scottish pupils taking language learning to Standard Grade and Higher levels. Callers are asked what should be done to address the situation, or whether language learning is actually necessary in today's society.
The programme is available on the BBC iPlayer until Monday 6 May 2013. Listen to this item from 38.38 minutes into the broadcast.
Read more...
30 April 2013 (SQA)
The SQA’s latest update on the new national qualifications is now available, including finalised documents for the new Advanced Higher Courses commencing in August 2015.
Read more...
26 April 2013 (SCILT)
Looking for ways to inspire and motivate your language students? Using film in the classroom is a great way to combine interdisciplinary learning and generate enthusiasm amongst your pupils for language learning. These projects were filmed in three different Scottish schools involving pupils from P7 to S6 who worked together to create their own animated movies using skills they developed in Modern Languages, Art and ICT. Have a look at these video clips to see what can be achieved and hear feedback from some of the pupils who took part.
Read more...
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SCILT news
26 April 2013 (TESS)
The Languages Working Group should listen to those who urge caution if it is to avoid repeating mistakes.
In 2012, the Languages Working Group issued its report on the future of languages, Language Learning in Scotland: a 1+2 approach. While the government's wish to improve language skills is welcome, there is a danger that this report fails to address some key issues.
Read more...
18 April 2013 (icScotland)
Plans to teach two foreign languages to primary school pupils will present significant challenges for schools, a Scottish Government minister has said. But Alasdair Allan, the Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages, said the "bold" policy can be achieved.
The Scottish Government wants children to learn two foreign languages in primary school, with the plans to be rolled out over two parliaments. The model would see children start learning their first foreign language in primary one, followed by a second one in primary five.
Mr Allan said: "Delivering additional languages from primary one is a bold and ambitious objective. There will be significant challenges for schools but it can be done and some schools are already providing such early access to language learning. As a Government we certainly recognise an earlier start to language learning may be something that raises challenges in terms of schools' capacity to deliver. Some teachers may not have language training, others may wish to update those skills."
Read more...
Related Links
Claim language teaching damaged by English TV shows (The Herald, 19 April 2013) - Plans to improve foreign language teaching in Scotland are being hampered because most television programmes watched by children are in English, according to a Government minister.
Alasdair Allan, Scotland's Minister for Learning, made the claim as he gave evidence to MSPs on the SNP's language strategy for primary school pupils.
Hugh Reilly: TV hinders foreign tongues? Crazy talk (The Scotsman, 23 April 2013)
16 April 2013 (The Herald)
The demise of modern languages at Scottish universities and schools has been blamed on greater parochialism since devolution. The assertion is made in a major new report on the health of minority European languages such as Russian, Polish and Czech.
The report, by the UK-wide Higher Education Academy (HEA), follows the closure of a number of language courses at Scottish universities in recent years. The number of pupils taking Highers in some modern languages has also fallen.
Read more...
29 March 2013 (Scottish Parliament)
The teaching of foreign language learning in Scottish primary schools will be the focus for a conference taking place at the Scottish Parliament in May. The European & External Relations Committee is holding the event as part of its inquiry into the Scottish Government’s recent proposal to increase foreign language learning in primary schools. It will bring together parliamentarians and those involved in language learning to discuss the key findings of the committee’s inquiry to date.
Open to all with an interest in language education, whether as a parent, teacher or policy developer, the conference takes place on the morning of Friday 10 May 2013 at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Anyone wishing to attend the event should contact the Parliament by 19 April to secure a space.
Read more...
28 March 2013 (SQA)
The SQA has issued its latest update on the new national qualifications including the second release of National 4 Added Value Unit assessments and coursework information for non-question-paper components of the National 5 Course assessment. Draft Course/Unit Support Notes for the new Advanced Higher Courses are now also available.
Read more...
15 March 2013 (SCILT)
Applications are now open for the 2013 European Language Label, and schools from across the UK are invited to apply.
This year’s theme is ‘Innovation in Language Teaching and Learning’, and the Award is open to schools in the Primary and Secondary sector, as well as FE and HE institutions. This award is a great opportunity for the innovative work being done in languages in Scotland to be recognised across the UK and Europe.
The European Language Label (ELL) is an award for innovative language-learning projects. It rewards creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate learners and make the best of available resources. Winning projects may use European Language Label on stationery and websites and, in addition, all winners receive prizes of books, vouchers or teaching materials from the Award sponsors. The awards are presented at a prize-giving ceremony on European Day of Languages, 26th September.
For more information, including the online application form, please visit the ELL website or contact idjouadj@cfbt.com. For inspiration, follow the link below to see some of the previous winning projects.
The application deadline is Sunday 21 April 2013.
Previous winners from Scotland have included St Roch’s Secondary School in Glasgow in 2011 and Mid Calder Primary in 2009.
Read more...
11 March 2013 (Holyrood)
Can Scottish school children, most of whom finish their education without knowing a second language, pick up a third by the time they leave primary school? That’s the ambition expressed in the Scottish Government’s ’1+2′ policy, first in its 2011 election manifesto and last year in a report authored by a commission of academics and educationalists. The plan is to introduce a first modern language at P1, and a second by P6. The European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament has been taking evidence on the proposals since the turn of the year, and the consensus so far is that while the ’1+2′ is a laudable ideal, the execution will pose a significant challenge.
Read more...
7 March 2013 (BBC Democracy Live)
Teaching unions told the European and External Affairs Committee that £4m to fund the Scottish government's 1+2 language policy would be a "drop in the ocean".
The policy describes a framework for language learning in Scotland based on the mother tongue + 2 additional languages model recommended by the European Union and adopted in many countries in Europe and beyond.
The money earmarked by the Scottish government is £120k for the pilot projects, and £4m for after the pilots in 2013-14.
Read more...
Related Links
Access related papers from the European and External Affairs Committee inquiry into foreign language learning in the primary school from the Scottish Parliament website.
EIS warns over foreign languages (The Herald, 8 March 2013)
Languages in schools cost a ‘drop in the ocean’ (The Scotsman, 8 March 2013)
22 February 2013 (The Herald)
I refer to your article about the teaching of modern languages in Scottish schools ("Languages class target unachievable", The Herald, February 21). The debate has gone on for some time now as to what is the best method to teach children modern languages and at what age to start. Why is it that the relevant people do not look at other European countries and see how they do it?
Read more...
21 February 2013 (The Herald)
Parents have criticised the Scottish Government's ambitious strategy of increasing language learning in Scottish schools, branding it unachievable. Council officials have also cast doubt on the policy, arguing current funding for the costly initiative is insufficient. The warnings come two years after the Government announced plans to teach all primary pupils at least two modern languages in addition to their mother tongue – known as the 1+2 model.
Read more...
21 February 2013 (The Scotsman)
Efforts to promote languages in Scotland’s schools are likely to fail due to a lack of qualified teachers, with the study of foreign tongues now “almost extinct” in the country’s colleges, it has been warned.
The Scottish Government hopes to introduce a “1+2” model in primary schools, with pupils expected to learn two languages, alongside English. But in its submission to a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the plans, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) said
that while the idea was well-intentioned, it was likely to be hamstrung by a shortage of teachers with the necessary skills.
Read more...
15 February 2013 (TESS)
I thank Judith McClure for making my point for me ("Let's talk language policies", 8 February). She supports language learning. Antonella Sorace, Brian Templeton and I also support it, but the report is "unclear" about what that means.
(Extract of letter from Daniel Tierney, reader in language education, University of Strathclyde)
Read more...
8 February 2013 (The Herald)
Educational institutions are failing children and limiting Scotland's economy with an inadequate provision of foreign language teaching, international experts say.
Foreign language assistants in schools have dropped by over three-quarters in seven years, college provision is "woeful" and universities are closing language schools when Scotland is trying to grow its exports and expand into diverse international markets, MSPs were told.
Holyrood's European and External Relations Committee heard from four experts from the British Council, the Confucius Institute and the European Commission on the decline of language teaching in Scotland.
Read more...
8 February 2013 (TESS)
Several readers wrote letters in response to last week's TESS article "Languages expert hits out at 'unclear' report".
I was extremely disappointed to see the negative slant of your report on one of the sessions of the inquiry into the Scottish government's 1+2 languages proposal at the Scottish Parliament's European and External Affairs Committee ("Languages expert hits out at 'unclear' report", 1 February), writes Judith McClure of SCEN. Read on to access the full letter.
Other responses on this topic can be accessed from the related items section below.
Read more...
Related Links
Letter from Kirsten Herbst-Gray, Langholm Academy, Dumfries and Galloway:
Australian and German research has shown that a too early exposure to a second language will not necessarily benefit children unless they have a naturally bilingual family background. Recommended entry age for the acquisition of a second language is 8 years of age for other children.
Languages expert hits out at 'unclear' report - opinion from liltiff
Languages expert hits out at 'unclear' report (TESS, 1 February 2013)
7 February 2013 (Scottish Government)
The Scottish Government is investing £800,000 in a new Gaelic school for Glasgow, it was announced today. The Gaelic Medium Education primary school will be part of the Glendale Campus in Pollokshields.
Read more...
6 February 2013 (Scottish Government)
80 students will receive a £5,000 scholarship to strengthen links between China and Scotland in celebration of one of Scotland’s greatest ever Olympians.
The Eric Liddell China Saltire Scholarships will be available to Chinese students applying for a masters degree at the University of Edinburgh, where Eric Liddell studied. They will also be available to undergraduate students at the University of Edinburgh studying for a year abroad in China.
The scholarships will help to build on the existing economic and educational links between Scotland and China.
Read more...
5 February 2013 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Join us for a 6 week evening course starting on Valentine`s Day, 14th February, which will help you begin to understand Chinese characters. All you need is an interest in Chinese characters and just a little knowledge of Chinese sound system.
Read more...
29 January 2013 (SCILT)
Are you bamboozled by NAR? Do you need help to find materials relevant to language teaching? SCILT has developed a PowerPoint to guide you through the suggested assessment approaches that focus on Modern Languages.
Read more...
28 January 2013 (SCILT)
Congratulations to Gwen McCrossan from Argyll and Bute, who has received professional recognition from GTCS for her work in MLPS French. Gwen’s creative approach has integrated language learning into the wider curriculum through her skilful use of puppets, story-telling and ICT, to name but a few. If you would like to apply for professional recognition, please visit the GTCS website.
Read more...
24 January 2013 (The Herald)
A leading language expert has issued a warning over the Scottish Government's strategy of increasing language learning in primary schools. Dr Dan Tierney, a reader in languages at Strathclyde University, said the plan was welcome, but lacked coherency.
Read more...
23 January 2013 (Scottish Government)
Ahead of Burns Night on 25th January, a new poll has revealed ‘dreich’ as Scotland’s favourite word in the Scots language. The You Gov survey* asked adults across the country to select their number one Scots word from a list of options including some of Robert Burns’ own favourites. With 23 per cent of the public vote, and perhaps proving Scotland's love for talking about the weather, the word ‘dreich’ meaning ‘wet’, ‘cold’ and ‘gloomy’ trumped other classics such as ‘glaikit’ (20%), ‘blether’ (12%) and ‘crabbit’ (11%).
Read more...
18 January 2013 (SCILT)
Due to recent staffing changes, a vacancy for a Professional Development Officer at SCILT/CISS has arisen.
This is an exciting opportunity to work at national level and support the planning and implementation of the new “1+2” Languages Policy. The turnaround time for applications is tight – the deadline is the 28th January – and we hope to interview on the 4th or 5th February.
This post is available on secondment or as a fixed-term contract to 31st March 2015, with strong possibility of extension beyond that date.
For further details and an application pack, please visit the HR website.
Read more...
18 January 2013 (TESS)
The Scottish government's ambition for children to start studying two foreign languages in primary is being hampered by lack of funding, MSPs heard last week.
The government has set aside £4 million for language teaching in schools, pending agreement of the 2013-14 budget.
The money is to be targeted at implementation of recommendations by the government's languages working group that all pupils start learning a second language in P1 and pick up a third one no later than P5.
But two or three times that amount would be needed if the initiative was to be "well planned" and "thought through", according to the working group's funding estimates, said Tim Simons, head of the Scottish government's curriculum unit.
Read more...
11 January 2013 (Education Scotland)
Education Scotland have supplemented the advice in the Modern Languages Principles and Practice paper to support primary and secondary practitioners in making assessment decisions about learners’ achievement and progress. The Professional Learning Paper gives further guidance and information on significant aspects of learning and outlines what breadth, challenge and application looks like in the Modern Languages classroom.
The “Modern Languages: key aspects of achievement” document gives further, useful support to help practitioners moderate the experiences and outcomes and details what can be reasonably expected from learners who have achieved second and third level in Modern Languages.
Read more...
11 January 2013 (TESS)
The difficulties in persuading pupils to study foreign languages at Higher has been underlined by a report that compares languages and social subjects uptake.
The report, which uses social subjects as a comparator since many pupils choose these over languages, finds that the "conversion rate" for languages from Standard grade and Intermediate is "significantly" below that for social subjects.
Read more...
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Language Learning - Decline,
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Languages in the press
10 January 2013 (STV News)
Children as young as nine will be taught three languages amid rising immigration, tourism and increasing demand for workers that speak more than just English, MSPs have heard.
The Scottish Government has set aside £4m for a pilot project to ensure Scotland's economy does not suffer as a result of its citizens' relatively poor language skills.
Read more...
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EERC
9 January 2013 (The Herald)
Scottish students studying in mainland Europe will be eligible for a full package of financial support for the first time under a £750,000 pilot scheme.
Under the initiative, the Scottish Government will offer 250 students bursary payments of up to £1750 and a student loan of up to £5500.
Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, said officials would assess the demand for funding to ensure all Scottish students studying in the EU in future years would benefit. He said: "I want to ensure our young people have the opportunity to reap the cultural and career benefits of living and studying abroad.”
Read more...
Related Links
Support for Scottish students in Europe (Scottish Parliament, 9 January 2013)
“Take Away China 2013”
8 January 2013 (Ricefield Arts Centre)
James Thomson, director of Ricefield Arts Centre, would like to offer an opportunity to schools to take part in the launch of “Take Away China 2013” on 12 February, the beginning of the Year of the Snake. This is the third year of “Take Away China” – the notion being to take a small part of China away with you from each event. Schools are invited to participate in forming a long snake. The idea is to form a snake made of twenty willow lantern sections with each section being supported by 4 or 6 pupils from each school or hub. Download the attached file for more information.
If you feel your hub or school might be interested in this opportunity, please contact jamesthomson188@btinternet.com
Posted in:
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News from language & education organisations
7 January 2013 (Confucius Institute Edinburgh)
Drop in on Tuesday evening 15 January for a free taster session to try your hand at the age old art of calligraphy/Chinese brush painting.
Read more...
14 December 2012 (Teaching Scotland blog)
Tom Hamilton, Director of Education and Professional Learning at GTCS, talks about the teaching of languages report.
Read more...
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News from language & education organisations
14 December 2012 (TESS)
The prospect of teaching 1+2 languages from P1 is a daunting one for many in the primary sector.
But today, the Scottish Parliament's European and External Relations Committee will launch an inquiry into the teaching of languages in primary - at a school where 1+5 is the norm.
At Dalmarnock Primary, in the east end of Glasgow, pupils have access to French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Greek, in addition to their home language of English.
Read more...
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Spanish,
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Policy,
SCILT,
Scottish Government,
Languages in the press,
Russian,
EERC
14 December 2012 (BBC News)
A Holyrood committee has launched an inquiry into language teaching in Scottish primary schools.
It follows research suggesting Scotland lags behind many other countries in linguistic skills.
Read more...
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Languages in the press,
EERC
4 December 2012 (Scottish Government)
Strengthening Scotland’s relationship with China has generated an additional estimated £220 million for the economy. Since the publication of the Scottish Government’s first China Plan in 2006, Scottish exports to the world’s second largest economy have risen sharply and are now worth an estimated total of £1.295 billion in 2007-2010, compared to £1.075 billion between 2003-2006.
It comes as a new five year strategy for Scotland’s engagement with China is launched by External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop, on the first anniversary of the arrival of the Giant Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo.
Read more...
3 December 2012 (Education Scotland)
Nominations for the 2013 awards are now open. Categories include the Global Citizenship Award, which recognises the achievements of schools and pre-schools that have adopted a whole school approach to global citizenship, and the Gaelic Awareness Award in recognition of schools and pre-schools who are providing opportunities for all children to develop fluency in the Gaelic language and culture. Visit the Scottish Education Awards website for more information and to submit a nomination.
Read more...
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News from language & education organisations
2 December 2012 (Scotland on Sunday)
His works have been translated into 34 languages but now a new market is opening up for Roald Dahl – Gaelic.
Read more...
30 November 2012 (SQA)
The latest progress on the new national qualifications from the SQA, including a reminder of the CfE subject implementation dates being run throughout Scotland. Modern Language events are taking place in February 2013 and places can be booked via the SQA website.
Read more...
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National Qualifications,
News from language & education organisations
27/11/2012 (CISS)
The first CISS newsletter has now been published. This edition includes stories on Chinese language and cultural activities and events in schools across Scotland, as well as information on the work that CISS has been doing over the past few months. I’m sure you will agree it is a great showcase of all the fabulous work being done across Scotland to promote Chinese language and culture. Many thanks to those of you who contributed.
You can download the newsletter from the CISS website.
Read more...
27 November 2012 (SCILT)
Our EDL2012 blog is now live! For a sneaky peek to see how the prize winning and other schools celebrated 26th September visit our EDL 2012 blog. There’s still time to add details of your school’s EDL, please send a short description of the event and any photos or film you would like included in your post to our Information Officer.
If you are already thinking ahead to 21st February 2013 (International Mother Language Day) or 9th May 2013 (Europe Day) or even the next European Day of Languages on 26th September 2013, all our EDL blogs over recent years have lots of great ideas that you might want to borrow or adapt for your own celebrations.
Read more...
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SCILT,
SCILT news
27 November 2012 (Engage for Education)
Sarah Breslin, Director of SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages at the University of Strathclyde, talks about the importance of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 languages policy.
Read more...
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SCILT,
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News from language & education organisations
27 November 2012 (BBC News)
A widespread lack of language skills could be damaging Scotland's ability to trade abroad, a report has suggested. The British Council study warned there was a tendency among Scottish firms to limit their export markets to English-speaking countries.
Read more...
Related Links
Fears raised for overseas trade as young Scots shy away from studying foreign languages (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
A crisis in foreign language teaching across Scottish education is damaging overseas trade, the British Council warns today.
Analysis: Speaking the lingo goes to prove that it’s not only travel that broadens the mind (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
Leaders: Greater language skills key to breaking trade barriers (The Scotsman, 27 November 2012)
Crisis in study of languages a risk to trade (The Herald, 27 November 2012)
A lack of foreign language skills is limiting the ability of Scottish companies to tap into lucrative overseas export markets, according to a new report.
Kaye asks why Scots are so bad at learning foreign languages (Call Kaye, BBC Radio Scotland, 27 November 2012) - programme available until 3 December 2012.
Trade danger of language teaching cuts (Scottish Daily Express, 27 November 2012)
Language cuts 'will hit Scottish economy' (Morning Star, 27 November 2012)
Language Rich Europe - Scotland (British Council, 2012)
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26 November 2012 (Institut français d'Ecosse)
The Institut français d'Ecosse has produced some new resources about Noël (Christmas) for use with primary and S1-S3 pupils.
The resources can be accessed from the Institut français website.
Read more...
Related Links
Noël for S1-S3
23 November 2012 (Education Scotland)
British Council Scotland and Education Scotland have recently published ‘Sustainable International School Partnerships – Make the Difference’.
Effective practices, challenges, opportunities and a framework for reflection combine to illustrate how the development of sustainable international school partnerships can ‘make the difference’ within Curriculum for Excellence. This new publication draws on the experience of practitioners who have been closely involved in developing international school partnerships.
Read more...
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Twinning,
News from language & education organisations
20 November 2012 (Scottish Government)
Scottish Ministers have welcomed the
Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach report and its 35 recommendations, either in full or in part, while recognising that taking these forward will require discussion, collaboration and partnership with local authorities, schools, parents and other key stakeholders.
Read more...
Related Links
More information on
Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach
20 November 2012 (Open University)
In a unique partnership arrangement with the Open University (OU), Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have provided their postgraduate students and their staff with the opportunity to study an OU language module in French, German, Spanish or Chinese. 82 GCU students and staff began beginners’ language modules in October, and more will sign up for higher level language modules starting in February. The face-to-face element of the OU tuition programme is being delivered on GCU’s Glasgow campus at times that fit with GCU’s timetable.
Glasgow Caledonian University places importance on the fact that language competence enhances employability and international mobility and values the Open University’s proven track record in language teaching.
Read more...
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HE,
Chinese,
French,
German,
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News from language & education organisations
20 November 2012 (The Scotsman)
A flagship Gaelic school is still without a headteacher after the only applicant – a Swede who isn’t fluent in the language – failed to get the job.
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13 November 2012 (Xinhuanet)
Gleneagles, Britain, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- It used to be the place where the G8 summit was held in July 2005, and on Monday another event, dubbed G50, was staged at the same venue.
But this time the participants are 50 high school students from across Scotland who were exchanging their joys and hardships in learning the Chinese language.
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Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
1+2,
Chinese,
Scotland,
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Policy,
Scottish Government,
Languages in the press
12 November 2012 (Scottish Government)
The first government funded projects giving Scottish students overseas study opportunities have been announced by Education Secretary Michael Russell.
The projects at 10 universities, which will receive a share of £115,000, are designed to give students the chance to live and learn overseas as part of their studies and include opportunities in India, China, Canada, the United States and Europe.
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9 November 2012 (BBC News)
Generations of families that speak Gaelic use the language in different ways, University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) research suggests.
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9 November 2012 (SRF)
The next Чай н Чат (tea and chat) session takes place on 22 November 2012 at the SRF in Edinburgh. All welcome to join us at 11am for sparkling conversation in Russian and English and delicious cakes. No charge but contributions of cakes and help with washing up appreciated. Details of all upcoming events at the SRF can be found on their website or by downloading the attached news bulletin.
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8 November 2012 (Engage for Education)
The Scottish Government and its partners are developing a new benchmarking tool to help local authorities and secondary schools to analyse, compare and improve the performance of pupils in the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence. The new tool will be available from August 2014 onwards.
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7 November 2012 (SCEN)
The Scotland China Education Network invites you to visit its new website and discover how it is promoting the learning of Chinese and about China in Scottish schools.
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Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
1+2,
Chinese,
Scotland,
Cultural Diversity,
Language Learning,
Language Skills,
Promoting Languages,
News from language & education organisations
7 November 2012 (Education Scotland)
The National Assessment Resource now includes approximately 200 numeracy questions in Gaelic, which can be combined to form customised packages for assessment in the classroom at first, second and third level.
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6 November 2012 (British Council Scotland and SCILT)
Since November 2010 The British Council Scotland and SCILT, Scotland’s National Centre for Languages, have worked collaboratively to improve the experience of Foreign Language Assistants (FLAs) based in Scotland. The initial focus was on the organisation of the national FLA training day, with additional support from other bodies such as Education Scotland, the cultural organisations and local authorities.
However, despite the evident satisfaction with the support being given by all parties concerned we were faced with dwindling numbers of FLAs. We therefore decided to pull our joint expertise in marketing and promotion in order to raise the profile of FLAs and highlight the value they provide. At the FLA induction meetings in late August and early September 2011 we invited FLAs to consider doing a project. A separate FLA projects booklet provides further details of the successful projects by the FLAs themselves. This can be found on the British Council Scotland website:
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5 November 2012 (The Herald blog)
Did you get the cruel irony that the surname of the Barcelona player, Jordi Alba, whose last gasp goal in the Nou Camp broke Celtic hearts, means “Scotland” in Gaelic? If not, that means you know even less Gaelic than me!
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2 November 2012 (TESS)
The director of SCILT, Scotland's National Centre for Languages based at the University of Strathclyde, talks about the 1+2 policy, the benefits of CfE and how to persuade pupils to stick with languages.
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Related Links
A reader's response to the TESS Interview: Sarah Breslin (2 November)
"This has been a most interesting article to read. Many thanks to Sarah for all her hard work and support of the MFL teachers in Scotland. We are lucky to have such a fantastic professional with great personality. The 1+2 is an ambitious but not impossible goal to achieve - if all stakeholders are willing to work together for the benefit of generations to come." (rosered27, TES Letters, 9 November 2012)
Posted in:
Early Years,
Primary,
S1-S3,
Senior Phase,
FE,
HE,
1+2,
All Languages,
Scotland,
Language Learning,
Language Learning - Benefits,
Language Teaching,
Promoting Languages,
Scotland,
SCILT,
Scottish Government,
Strathclyde University,
Languages in the press
31 October 2012 (SQA)
Visit the SQA website for the latest information and advice on the new qualifications.
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Related Links
Modern language teachers will be particularly interested to review the Advanced Higher Modern Languages draft unit specifications via the SQA's
Advanced Higher Modern Languages webpage.
31 October 2012 (NZ Week)
Edinburgh, Oct. 30 — Scottish Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Language Alasdair Allan on Tuesday highlighted the importance of Scottish links with China to promote mutual understanding and friendship. Allan made the remarks at a reception at the Scottish Parliament held here for the two-week “Scotland in Conversation with China” under the theme of “Defining Scotland’s Distinctive Identity in an Era of Globalization The Chinese Perspective”.
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AMOPA speaking competition for students of Advanced Higher French
29 October 2012 (Heriot-Watt University)
The AMOPA Speaking competition was inaugurated last year. Five schools and a total of 21 school students took part. We are hoping to widen participation this year.
Last year every participant received a graded certificate. Prizes were also awarded for first, second and third place. Prizes and certificates were presented by an amopalien/amopalienne at a school assembly or other suitable event.
The competition integrates with the typical study and examination programme for the AH French students and aims to support them in their preparation for the Speaking test.
For more information and how to enter, download the flyer - AMOPA French Speaking Competition 2013.
Free CPD workshops for teachers of Chinese
24 October 2012 (SCILT/CISS)
SCILT/CISS are offering two workshops for teachers of Chinese on 9 November 2012 at the University of Strathclyde. These workshops are free and are open to anyone involved in the delivery of Chinese in Scottish schools (teachers, probationer teachers, Tianjin teachers, CLAs etc).
For more information download the flyer.
To book email Katie Hawkins