Vibrant Libraries, Thriving Schools: ‘A National Strategy for School Libraries in Scotland, 2018-2023’, was published in September. The strategy highlights ways that staff in libraries and schools may collaborate on continuous improvement and professional development. This strategy will be of interest to those in English and Gaelic Medium Education.
More companies are trading with international markets and this has led to growth in global supply chains. Because of this, there is greater demand for workers who have modern language skills, experience of the international business environment and are prepared to work globally.
Increasingly, companies are interested in employing people who can engage and communicate with their customers and suppliers around the world. Workers with experience of the international business environment are more likely to recognise the cultural differences around the world and understand potential trade challenges and find solutions – companies look favourably upon this skillset.
A survey of UK companies found that a quarter of those surveyed said they had lost international business to their competitors, as they did not have adequate modern language skills in their organisation. It is imperative that we move away from the attitude that modern language skills is a ‘nice to have’ attribute.
Learning a modern language will help improve employment prospects. According to a 2015 QS world university rankings report, six out of ten employers said they would give extra credit for international student experience.
Company examples
Paul Sheerin, Chief Executive, Scottish Engineering: “Companies need to open their minds and see exporting as a possibility. People learning languages in school is massively important in that respect. It is not important which language they learn—it is important that they learn a language.”
Do you want to engage with schools?
As a first port of call Scotland National Centre for Languages website outlines their support to engage with schools: https://www.scilt.org.uk/Business/tabid/1297/Default.aspx
Why not get involved with Developing the Young Workforce? The Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy aims to engage employers with education to better prepare young people for the world of work. https://education.gov.scot/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/policy-drivers/Developing the Young Workforce (DYW)
Do you need language support to enter a particular market?
Talk to a Scottish Development International (SDI) export adviser about your requirements. SDI may be able to support with translation and language requirements. https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/services/do-business-outside-scotland/talk-to-an-export-adviser/overview/enquiry-form
Do you want to get involved with Developing the Young Workforce and support young people in school?
There are now twenty-one DYW regional groups covering the whole of Scotland. The groups are led by industry and are the main conduit between employers and schools. They can provide practical support to develop programmes, which allow you to engage with young people.
Get in touch with your regional group using the details below:
| Regional Group | Contact | |
| Ayrshire | Claire Baird | cbaird@ayrshire-chamber.org |
| Argyll and Bute | Maureen McKenna | Maureen.McKenna@uhi.ac.uk |
| Borders | Sara Ward | sward@dywborders.co.uk |
| Dundee and Angus | Angela Vettraino | angela@dywda.co.uk |
| Dumfries and Galloway | Tricia Hunter | tricia.hunter@dgchamber.co.uk |
| Edinburgh and Lothians | Michelle Fenwick | michelle.fenwick@edinburghchamber.co.uk |
| Fife | Ray Fernie | ray.fernie@fife.gov.uk |
| Forth Valley | Jen Henderson | jen.henderson@dyw.forthvalley.ac.uk |
| Glasgow | Leona Seaton | Leona.seaton@glasgowchamberofcommerce.com |
| Inverness and Central
Highland |
Andy Maxtone | andy@dywich.co.uk |
| Lanarkshire | Alison Nimmo | Animmo@dywled.org |
| North Highland | Trudy Morris | trudy@caithnesschamber.com |
| Perth and Kinross | Fiona Reith | FReith@pkc.gov.uk |
| West Highland | Dougie Ormiston | douglas.ormiston@dywwesthighland.org |
| Moray | Sarah Baxter | sbaxter@dywmoray.co.uk |
| Orkney | Rachel Scarth | rachel.scarth@uhi.ac.uk |
| Shetland | Shona Thompson | shona.thompson@shetland.gov.uk |
| North East | James Bream | james.bream@agcc.co.uk |
| Outer Hebrides | Bernard Chisholm | b.chisholm@cne-siar.gov.uk |
| West | Bob Davidson | Bob.Davidson@dywwest.co.uk |
| West Lothian | Lauren Brown | lauren.brown@dyw-wl.com |
Are you a large national employer looking to develop a programme to rollout across multiple regions in Scotland? Get in touch with Steven Turnbull who can support you to develop a programme – steven.turnbull@gov.scot
Linguascope now includes resources to support Gaelic (Learners) as L2 and L3 in the curriculum.
Examples of these resources are available here:
Existing subscribers may log in here:
Our National Improvement Hub has resources for Gaelic (Learners):
Updates from Education Scotland on Gaelic (Learners) are available here:
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/eslb/category/languages/gaelic-learners/
2 – 5 July 2018, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
This national leadership programme is now open for registration. It is hosted by SCILT and Education Scotland. The 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 in their context. The programme is free of charge for educators in the public sector and begins with a summer school.
The programme themes include:
Local Authority colleagues with responsibility for languages, together with colleagues from the Universities Council on Modern Languages Scotland, Bilingualism Matters, SQA and Scottish Government met at Atlantic Quay in Glasgow 29th January 2018, to hear about updates on languages, with a particular focus on 1+2 implementation, as well as looking at languages policy beyond Scotland. The group heard from Professor Judy Kroll, from the University of California Riverside, on language learning policies in the USA and closer to home, the findings of the recent Eurydice report on language learning in Europe; the report contains more than a fair share of mentions around language policy in Scotland, which is always pleasing to see. Professor Antonella Sorace of Edinburgh University gave a presentation on bilingualism and how language learning positively affects cognitive functions – ‘bilingualism’ in this sense meaning knowing more than one language, not just those born into bilingual families. Great news for all linguists out there!
SQA gave updates on National 5 assignment and local authority colleagues shared with us some of the ways in which they are helping to ensure 1+2 is becoming the norm in their communities.
The group was joined by JohnPaul Cassidy, HMI, who started at ES in November 2017. Many of you will know JohnPaul already, as he was a former DO in languages at ES, before moving to a QIO post in Angus Council. JohnPaul’s background is in secondary modern languages and he spoke briefly to the group about evaluating modern languages in the secondary context. Jane Renton, Assistant Director at ES gave an overview of the arrangements around the Regional Improvement Collaboratives and responses to the Education (Scotland) Bill. Jane’s powerpoint presentation also contains updates on changes in the leadership team at ES.
The presentations from the day can be accessed here.
Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) has published a case study which focuses on increasing the uptake for languages as young people move from the broad general education into the senior phase. It demonstrates how self-evaluation has been used to secure improvements.
The case study is available here:
To use a similar approach for Gaelic (Learners), please consider using the following:
How good is our school? (fourth edition)
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/frwk2hgios
Gaelic Learner Education and a 1+2 Approach to Languages
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Documents/Gael3-16curriculum318LanguageLearning12.pdf
Paragraphs 2.24 – 2.28 of the statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education
http://www.gaidhlig.scot/bord/education/statutory-guidance/
SCILT have published a programme of professional learning which practitioners may find useful in implementing Gaelic (Learners) as part of the 1+2 Approach to languages. We have also taken this opportunity to list a few resources which curriculum planners may find useful in taking forward Gaelic as part of 1+2.
SCILT CLPL Programme
Advice on 1+2 and the role of Gaelic
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/gael9-role-of-gaelic-one-plus-two
Resources for teaching Gaelic as L2 and L3 at the primary stages
Professional learning for teachers, including those who have little or no prior knowledge
Resources for teaching Gaelic (Learners) as L2 and L3 at the secondary stages
https://www.storlann.co.uk/ceumannan/
Advice to support improvement in Gaelic across sectors:
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/gael3-advice-on-gaelic-education
Legislation:
https://www.education.gov.scot/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/Legislation
This link is useful for keeping practitioners up-to-date with our support for quality and improvement:
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/gael4-briefings-on-gaelic-education
The latest Briefing on Gaelic Education is now available.
Seo fiosrachadh ur:
https://www.education.gov.scot/improvement/gael4-briefings-on-gaelic-education
When: 2 – 7 July 2017 and 23 – 27 July 2017
Where: South Uist
Fee: £250
Language level: Beginner to Fluent
Brief: This Gaelic Enrichment Course is a career-long professional learning opportunity for teachers of GLE and GME. The course aims to support teachers use and develop their Gaelic language skills within a community setting. The course will be tailored to the specific needs of the teachers. It includes: conversational skills, grammar, resources for the classroom, workshops and field trips.
For more information, please contact: Ceòlas Uibhist, Taigh Gleus, Dalabrog, Uibhist a Deas HS8 5SS Tel: 01878 700154 E-mail: info@ceolas.co.uk
www.ceolas .co.uk
What is Japanese calligraphy, what do you need to do it and how is it done? Discover the fun of writing in Japanese with Japanese teacher, Ms Emiko Abe plus staff from the Japanese Consulate and volunteers from Edinburgh University.
Ms Abe shows P3 students at Law Primary School that learners can practice Japanese calligraphy with basic materials found in every classroom.
Join us on Friday 10th March at 9.15am in Glow TV to find out more! Sign up to take part now – Fuji Festival – Calligraphy
If you unable to join us for the live event you can always catch up with the recording at another time – Glow TV’s Watch Again.
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