News / Lolly for languages
SHETLAND Islands Council is to receive £34,000 from a Scottish government pot worth £7.2 million to support learning languages at local schools.
The money is to help councils make sure that every primary pupil starts learning a second language in P1 and a third language in P5.
Minister for learning Alisdair Allan said it could be spent on training primary teachers, strategic planning or employing more language assistants.
Allan said this will bring Scotland into line with many other European countries where learning a second language starts in early primary school and learning three languages is common.
“In today’s global, multi-cultural world it is more important than ever that young people have the opportunity to learn languages from an early age,” he said.
“The ability to speak different languages will equip Scotland’s young people with the skills and competencies needed in a 21st century global marketplace.
“We know that learning a language supports a child’s cognitive development which is proven to also help improve general attainment.
“By introducing the 1+2 model, Scotland is leading the way in the UK in this area.”
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