This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Foreign language teaching
01/03/2004
An additional £4 million to improve foreign language
teaching in primary schools was announced today as a new
report highlighting best practice in language teaching was
distributed to all Scottish schools.
Learning a foreign language offers Scottish pupils a
passport to a world of future opportunities, Education
Minister Peter Peacock said today during a visit to
Dundee's Hillside Primary.
"Learning a foreign language has many benefits - from
communicating with the locals on holiday to playing a full
part in today's global economy.
"Better language skills also help pupils develop an
understanding of other cultures, creating the type of
outward-looking nation which will make Scotland an
attractive place for people from other countries to live
and work.
"A recent study showed that our efforts are already
delivering results - pupils now leave primary school with
encouraging levels of attainment in French or German.
"Our challenge is to build on this knowledge and ensure
pupils develop the skills and confidence to communicate
effectively in a foreign language. The money announced
today will ensure councils can continue to develop
innovative and excellent modern language teaching."
The pupils Mr Peacock met at Hillside Primary were
working with their German language assistant to prepare for
Dundee City Council's Passport to Europe events taking
place in June.
The Executive-funded events - two in French, one in
Spanish and one in German - will allow senior primary
pupils and foreign language assistants to take part in
activities in a European environment.
In Scotland, all pupils are entitled to learn a modern
European language - French, German, Italian or Spanish -
from P6 to S4.
The Executive's current
foreign languages policy came into effect in 2001,
following the report of the Action Group on Languages -
Citizens of a Multilingual World.
Local authorities are responsible for implementing the
group's recommendations. Since 2001, around £10.5 million
has been made available to help them with this work.
The report from the national conferences on Good
Practice in Language Learning and Teaching, held in
Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh, is being
distributed to all schools to spread best practice and
share innovative ideas.