There are many advantages to being multilingual, including: communication, cultural awareness, cognitive development, open-mindedness, and employment advantages (Baker, 2014). You can read more about these in the multilingualism section.

Having multilingual learners as part of your school community is an opportunity to support the school’s approach to L1+2. Pupils and parents can build their confidence and sense of achievement by sharing their knowledge and skills in their home language(s).

“The Scottish Government’s policy, Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach, is aimed at ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn a modern language (known as L2) from P1 until the end of the broad general education (S3). Additionally, each child is entitled to learn a second modern language (known as L3) from P5 onwards.” (Education Scotland, 2012)

Schools can:

·      find out if any pupils attend a first language school (online or in person) in evenings or at the weekend.

·      celebrate literacy in other languages through display of writing.

·      create a first language/dual language book library where parents/carers or pupils can bring books from home and borrow other books.

·      recognise the benefits of multilingualism for all pupils and staff and celebrate this through class projects, assemblies and displays.

·      celebrate International Mother Language Day and the European day of languages:

§ European day of languages

§ European Day of Languages > Home (ecml.at)

§ European Day of Languages (scilt.org.uk)

·      give a child’s home language(s) equal status with English. Ensure that all staff value talking and writing in first language and give it equal importance to English. Skills in first language will transfer to English and will support bilingual pupils as they acquire English.

English is the primary language of learning, but other languages can be embedded across the curriculum to support learning for those who are new to English. Key vocabulary in other languages could be highlighted in some lessons to give all children an understanding that the concepts they are learning exist in other cultures and languages. Sometimes the word may be similar to the English word which will be a good talking point and will reinforce overall understanding of the concepts and vocabulary.

Encourage parents/carers to continue to speak and develop their first language at home. They may have received conflicting advice on what to do but research and experience show that it is best for parents/carers to continue developing their first language at home. There is more guidance and explanation on working with parents in the parental engagement section.