Tag: languages

Language learning on the rise in Scottish schools despite structural barriers, report finds

  • Higher entries rising but still below pre-pandemic levels: Higher entries in French, German and Spanish have risen for the second consecutive year, 5,885 to 6,110, (4 per cent) but remain 16 per cent below 2019 levels, with French down 31 per cent and German down 24 per cent
  • Strong foundations at primary and S1: 99 per cent of primary schools are now teaching languages and the proportion of S1 learners studying more than one language has jumped from 52 per cent to 63 per cent over the last year
  • Multilingual classrooms: Teachers reported over 100 different home and heritage languages spoken in responding secondary schools, from Polish and Ukrainian to Arabic and Urdu, while home and heritage language exam provision has increased from 29 per cent in 2024 to 36 per cent in 2025
  • Spanish retains top spot: Spanish remains the most popular language for qualification across the senior phase in Scotland
  • Structural barriers increasing: Classes do not run in 59 per cent of responding local authority secondary schools if numbers are too low (up from 52 per cent last year), with over a third of the secondary schools (35 per cent) now requiring a minimum of 10 pupils (up from 25 per cent).
  • Uneven access: Over 70 per cent of schools in the most deprived areas report classes not running due to low numbers, compared to 50 per cent in the most affluent areas

Scotland has the foundations for a multilingual success story, but a new British Council report published today (Thursday 5 February) warns that growing barriers in secondary schools could threaten future progress.

The new Language Trends Scotland report highlights strong language teaching in primary schools and rising numbers of senior pupils sitting language exams. But it reveals that structural barriers from minimum class sizes to timetabling constraints are increasing at secondary level.

Conducted by Queen’s University Belfast, the report surveyed 169 local authority primary schools, 114 local authority secondary schools and 12 independent schools across 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

At primary level, 99 per cent of responding schools are teaching languages, with one in five embedding language learning into daily classroom routines. This could reflect the impact of Scottish Government’s 1+2 language policy, which aims to give all children the opportunity to learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue, starting from Primary 1. Teachers say the two biggest challenges for primary languages remain teacher confidence and finding time in the curriculum.

The vast majority of responding primary schools (89 per cent) have learners for whom English is an Additional Language. Primary schools report that home and heritage languages are actively included and celebrated through cultural events, language ambassador programmes, and multilingual books in classrooms and libraries.

In the early years of secondary, the proportion of S1 learners studying more than one language has increased from 52 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent this year. French is taught to all learners in 81 per cent of responding schools at S1, and Spanish to all learners in 49 per cent of schools.

There are also positive signs at S4, when pupils start to make choices about subjects and typically sit National 5 qualifications, with fewer schools reporting a declining uptake: 22 per cent compared to 35 per cent last year.

Entries for French and Spanish have increased at National level, with Spanish retaining its position as Scotland’s most popular language for qualification. However, German entries have declined by nine per cent since last year. For Highers, exam entries in French, German and Spanish all increased, with combined entries up four per cent since 2024 (from 5,885 to 6,110).

However, this growth is from a low base. Higher entries in modern languages remain 16 per cent below pre-pandemic levels (7,255 in 2019 compared to 6,110 in 2025). Advanced Higher entries are down 25 per cent over the same period (1,200 in 2019 compared to 895 in 2025).

Despite rising entries, structural barriers are increasing, the report finds that classes do not run in 59 per cent of responding local authority secondary schools if there are not enough learners, up from 52 per cent last year. Over a third (35 per cent) of schools now require a minimum of 10 pupils for a class to go ahead, up from a quarter (25 per cent) last year.

Teachers described timetabling constraints and finding time within a crowded curriculum as key challenges to providing high-quality language learning. In 54 per cent of responding secondary schools, timetabling prevents some learners from taking a language. Over a third (36 per cent) of responding secondary schools report that recruitment of qualified language teachers is an issue, though this has improved from 41 per cent last year.

These barriers are not evenly distributed. Over 70 per cent of schools in the most deprived areas report classes not running due to low numbers, compared to 50 per cent of schools in the most affluent areas. Schools in more affluent areas are also more likely to offer German at qualification level, of the 35 schools offering National 5 German, 24 are in the two most affluent quintiles.

Where schools struggle to maintain languages at senior phase, some are turning to further education partnerships. Learners in 38 per cent of local authority secondary schools with Higher and/or Advanced Higher provision are taking Edinburgh College classes online to access language qualifications their own school cannot offer.

Provision for heritage language qualifications has increased at secondary level, with 36 per cent of local authority secondary schools now facilitating exams in home or community languages, up from 29 per cent last year.

A further 19 per cent enable pupils to sit these exams elsewhere. Schools collectively offer qualifications in Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Russian and Urdu alongside the main European languages.

The findings come as the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Scottish Languages Bill in June 2025, giving Gaelic and Scots official status. Higher entries for Gaelic (Learners) increased this year from 50 to 70 entries.

For the first time, the report explores the use of AI and apps in language teaching. In secondary schools, 8 per cent of responding teachers use AI regularly for lesson preparation, assessment and class activities, with a further 58 per cent using it occasionally.

At primary level, adoption is lower, with 47 per cent of teachers reporting they do not yet use AI, being unsure of what it can do. Teachers describe AI use as exploratory, using it to create texts and comprehension questions.

According to the survey, 66 per cent of responding secondary schools plan international trips, and the proportion of schools with international partner schools has increased to 28 per cent, up from 23 per cent last year, while over a third of schools engage with cultural institutes including the Confucius Institute, Goethe-Institut and Institut français.

Claire de Braekeleer, Director of British Council Scotland, said: “At a time of global uncertainty, language skills are not a luxury, they are an essential. Learning a language opens doors, builds bridges, and fosters the kind of cultural understanding that our world urgently needs.

“This report shows we have strong foundations in Scotland to build on.  At the British Council we are committed to working with education and public sector partners to address barriers, champion language learning, and equip the next generation with the skills to connect, collaborate, and compete globally.”

Dr Ian Collen, who co-led the research at Queen’s University Belfast, added: “As AI accelerates, human language becomes indispensable.

“Machines can automate, but they can’t create the cultural understanding or human connection that languages ignite. For Scotland’s young people, languages are gateways to opportunity and a voice in our fast-changing world.”

Language Trends Scotland forms part of the wider Language Trends series which covers all UK nations. The series began in 2002 with Language Trends England, with annual surveys in Wales since 2015, biennial surveys in Northern Ireland since 2019, and annually in Scotland since 2024.

The report is being launched at the Institut Français d’Écosse on 5 February as part of Languages Week Scotland, bringing together educators, policy makers and practitioners to discuss the findings and share examples of good practice from schools across Scotland.

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Growing Scotland’s languages

Provisions to grow languages come into force

The Gaelic and Scots languages have gained official status as people across Scotland celebrate St Andrew’s Day.

The designation forms part of a range of measures coming into effect today through the Scottish Languages Act 2025.

These include powers for ministers to commission research into the use of Gaelic and Scots and establish teaching standards for the languages.   

Other measures of the Act include:

  • empowering parents to ask for a Gaelic school to be established in their area
  • supporting the creation of areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities so that ministers can better target policies to support the language’s growth
  • enabling parents in every part of Scotland to apply for Gaelic nursery and early years places for their children
  • ensuring that more qualifications are available in Gaelic
  • introducing targets on the number of people speaking and learning Gaelic

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “St Andrew’s Day is a fitting time to celebrate Scotland’s identity by recognising Gaelic and Scots as official languages. This is a historic milestone which acknowledges the vital place these languages hold in Scotland’s culture and heritage.

“This has been made possible through the Scottish Languages Bill which received unanimous support from MSPs.

“To support the continued growth of both languages the Scottish Government has already allocated £35.7 million for Gaelic and Scots initiatives this year, ensuring that this milestone translates into meaningful change for communities across the country.”

The Scottish Languages Bill was introduced on St Andrew’s Day in 2023. The Bill was passed in June and received Royal Assent on 1 August 2025.

Care home residents seek pen pals to support language learning

Care home residents have put out a call for their foreign care home counterparts to get involved with an engaging new pen pal scheme. 

This cross-cultural endeavour aims to promote language learning and build meaningful friendships among seniors in both communities. 

The call comes after residents at Renaissance Care Group homes engaged in foreign language lessons with Glasgow based charity, Lingo Flamingo.  

Residents are now eager to expand their horizons and delve into the language learned through correspondence with pen pals from a care facility across the globe. 

The initiative not only provides an enriching language learning experience but also creates an opportunity for residents to share stories, experiences, and foster lasting connections across borders. 

Two residents of Renaissance Care’s Glencairn Care Home in Edinburgh, Tom Caskie, 83, and Charles Menzies, 86, started German lessons three months ago, building on a lifelong love of languages. 

Tom, 83, a retired civil engineer from Islay, first developed his love of languages after emigrating to Canada to pursue a career in civil engineering. He became fluent in French and picked up a good understanding of Italian and Spanish as he travelled the world, living in a variety of exotic locations, including East Pakistan, Tanzania and Nigeria. 

Tom said: “I’ve always been fascinated by different languages and cultures. I chose to learn German this time around as this was completely new challenge to me. The lessons have been incredibly interesting, including German geography, culture and music throughout. I find the culture fascinating and listening to more German music in my free time.  

“If I could give young people one piece of advice, it is to try and pick up a new language. It opens you up to a different world – there’s a whole new treasure chest of music, films and books out there to enjoy.” 

Joining Tom on his language learning mission is 86-year-old Charles Menzies. For Charles, the Lingo Flamingo sessions are a refresher on the German language, which he originally picked up while working in Germany as a teacher.  

A true language aficionado, Charles is also fluent in French and Russian, along with having a strong understanding of Spanish and Polish. 

Charles said: “The German lessons have made me feel nostalgic for my time in Germany as a young man. I loved living there and made so many happy memories. I very nearly never left!  

“It’s great to be using the language again. I look forward to our weekly lessons. They get your brain engaged and challenge you to think outside the box. That’s important to staying sharp.  

“My interest in languages has been a true asset throughout the years. I’ve been able to experience so much, like living in a foreign country independently, because of them. You never know where life is going to take you – a second language can open so many doors for you.” 

Activities like Lingo Flamingo are central to Renaissance Care’s wellbeing strategy. Residents are encouraged and supported to take part in events that are tailored to their specific needs and interests, benefitting both their physical and mental health. 

Jozi Stables, care home manager at Glencairn said: “Charlie and Tom are proof that it is never too late to learn a new skill. 

“At Glencairn, we pride ourselves on catering to residents’ actual interests and hobbies. It’s all about creating meaningful activities that residents can fully engage with and feel fulfilled by. We try and facilitate any activity that our residents would be interested with – even if that is creating new friends across borders. No ask is too big or small for us.” 

Glencairn is a bespoke private residential home offering residents accommodation akin to that found in a small boutique-style hotel. It is located in the prestigious Grange area of Edinburgh and just a short walk to the popular Meadows.  

Glencairn Care Home is part of the Renaissance Care Group, it currently operates 17 homes located across Scotland and currently provides care provision for 760 residents and employs around 1,150 staff.  

Pen pal slots will be subject to availability across the 17 Renaissance Care owned homes. For more information, please contact renaissance@bigpartnership.co.uk. 

Creating a robust future for Gaelic and Scots? Consultation launched

A commitment to ensure the long-term growth of Gaelic and Scots is at the heart of a new public consultation launched today.

The consultation seeks views on how to raise the profile of Scots, a new strategic approach to Gaelic medium education (GME) and the creation of a Gàidhealtachd, areas with a higher percentage of Gaelic speakers. It also covers the structure and function of Bòrd Na Gàidhlig – the principal public body promoting Gaelic in Scotland.

This feedback will help develop the forthcoming Scottish Languages Bill.

The 2011 census indicated that 57,375 people spoke Gaelic and 87,100 said they had some Gaelic skills and over 1.5 million people identified themselves as Scots speakers.

Launching the consultation during a visit to the GME unit at Goodlyburn Primary in Perth, Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Gaelic and Scots are a significant part of Scotland’s culture and we want to ensure they thrive and grow.

“The situation for Gaelic speakers is an improvement on ten years ago as there are increased numbers in Gaelic medium education and more initiatives in place to support Gaelic in Scotland.

“We now need to build on what is in place and this consultation will show how we can make our measures more effective, ensuring Gaelic medium education continues to grow and provides a high quality education, that Bòrd na Gàidhlig operates effectively in the promotion of Gaelic, and consideration is given to the creation of a Gàidhealtachd.

“Scots is spoken throughout Scotland, but has never benefited from formal support through legislation and it may be time to consider this to help promote, strengthen and raise the profile of the language.”

The consultation will run until 17 November.

Twinkl Scotland celebrates World Gaelic Week

Global educational resources publisher, Twinkl, has a Gaelic-speaking team publishing resources in the language throughout the year.

From the 21st to the 27th of March, Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week) is going to be enjoyed in Scottish classrooms and beyond.

The event is a wonderful way of shining a light on a significant part of Scottish heritage, and to celebrate an aspect of Scottish culture. The aims of the week are to encourage learning Gaelic, and to promote the cultural richness associated with Gaelic.

Gaelic is prominently used in the Highlands and islands of Scotland. There are also many urban Gaels using the language in Scotland’s cities. Gaelic is actively spoken in schools, among friends & family,  as well as in shops and restaurants.

According to the last census, over 87,000* Scots were able to speak, read or understand Gaelic. As a minority language, it has had a large impact on Scottish culture for centuries, right up to the present day. 

Twinkl has created learning materials that fit into five themes to help the language come alive. The themes can be used each day in the school-week when Seachdain na Gàidhlig takes place.

These are: Celebrate Gaelic, Learning the Language, Gaelic in the Real World, Gaelic in the Media, and Arts & Culture. These themes were created to support the teaching and the learning of Gaelic.

Twinkl is an EdTech company with a mission to ‘help those who teach’. The organisation has its own Gaelic-speaking team, dedicated to creating educational materials in the Gaelic language throughout the year. There are resources designed for fluent Gaelic speakers as well as learners. 

Julie-Anne Mackenzie, Twinkl Alba’s Product Owner said, “World Gaelic Week is a fantastic way of boosting the language’s profile, as well as celebrating its stories, music, and much more.  It is an opportunity for both learners and fluent speakers in a variety of contexts to celebrate and share their learning, whatever stage they are at.”

The Twinkl Alba team speaks Gaelic throughout the working day. Alongside the Gaelic resources that are made, emails are written, and meetings are hosted in the language. The team features content writers, graphic designers and editors dedicated to supporting teaching and learning in the language throughout the year. Employees come from a variety of educational and linguistic backgrounds throughout Scotland and beyond. 

Julie-Anne said, “It is a privilege to work on a team that creates thousands of educational resources in Gaelic a year. Gaelic is the primary language we use in a business setting, no matter the project we are working on.

“There are even English Twinkl employees who have enjoyed picking up some Gaelic words and phrases when working alongside us!” 

“Learning Gaelic is a fun challenge, and Twinkl Alba are here to support learners and teachers with a vast array of engaging resources. This is to supplement and enhance the learning experience. Why don’t you give it a try?”

For more information about World Gaelic Week, you can take a look at Twinkl’s World Gaelic Week Category Page.

North Edinburgh options in the frame for Gaelic High School

Royal Victoria Hospital and Fettes Police HQ sites under active consideration

The City of Edinburgh Council is re-evaluating the feasibility of two sites in central Edinburgh for a Gaelic high school following internal discussions.

Council officers will work with partners to reassess the potential of the current Police Scotland headquarters at Fettes and the site of the former Royal Victoria Hospital in Comely Bank as additional options for the home of a new Gaelic Medium Education (GME) secondary school.

The move comes after a meeting between the Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP and Education Convener Councillor Ian Perry and Vice Convener Alison Dickie in July to discuss the Council’s proposals for a dedicated GME high school on the Liberton site, which the Cabinet Secretary again welcomed as an excellent option.

The Councillors wrote last week to the Cabinet Secretary following their meeting last month to confirm that the two central sites will be re-assessed given concerns about ‘centrality’ raised by some parents during the development of plans for the Liberton site.

The letter makes clear that significant Scottish Government financial assistance, in the region of at least £48m for the build cost alone, as well as support to secure either site to make a more central option viable.

A report outlining these latest developments, and the letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, will be presented to the Education, Children and Families Committee next Tuesday (24 August).

The report says that the proposal for a statutory consultation should be temporarily halted pending a response from the Scottish Government regarding the two central sites.  

Cllr Perry said: “We had a very constructive and helpful meeting with the Cabinet Secretary last month and set out again our proposals to further the growth of GME in the Capital. 

“Given the concerns some Gaelic parents raised over ‘centrality’, we are reassessing the feasibility of two possible sites – at Fettes and at Comely Bank.  It must be stressed, however, that significant Government support would be required to make these viable options. 

“Our number one priority remains identifying the best and most workable solution for a fully immersive GME high school for the city. In the meantime we are proposing temporarily halting the plans for a statutory consultation until we receive a response from the Scottish Government.”

Cllr Dickie said: “We’re fully committed to ensuring GME can grow and thrive in Scotland’s Capital and we have welcomed the Scottish Government’s continued encouragement about our plans for a new and dedicated school at Liberton. 

“It is vital though that we get this absolutely right for children and their families, and for the growth of Gaelic Medium Education in the city.  Given then, the growing appetite for a more central location, we have made a decision to pause to re-evaluate previously visited options and their related barriers. 

“As well as the substantial financial hurdle involved, we’d need certainty that the land would be available to meet the timescales involved.  Most of all though, we need options that deliver the best educational outcomes for our children and young people.”

Edinburgh College supports development of English language teaching in Turkey

Last month Edinburgh College, working in partnership with the British Council in Turkey, hosted 22 English language teachers for a two-week mentor training course aimed at developing the teaching practice of participants and preparing them to take on leading roles in the development of English language teaching in Turkey upon their return to the country.  Continue reading Edinburgh College supports development of English language teaching in Turkey

Language learning in primary school can help reverse 18-year low

 

Language learning in primary school can help reverse 18-year low in GCSE Modern Foreign Language (MFL) entries.

The BBC last week released a report showing steep decline in the number of UK teenagers learning a language. The analysis shows drops of between 30% and 50% since 2013 in the numbers taking GCSE language courses in the worst affected areas. Most schools said the reason for the decline was the perception among pupils of languages being a difficult subject.

This follows the Labour government’s decision in 2004 to reverse the “Languages for All” policy and no longer making a languages GCSE a requirement. In 2010 the Westminster government attempted to reverse the decline by making language learning compulsory in English primary schools.

This coincided with the launch of Lingotot.

Lingotot founder, Angela Sterling, had been a secondary MFL teacher and was concerned about the decline so decided to throw herself into making primary languages provision of a high standard in a bid to help boost the numbers of children taking GCSE and A Level languages.

Since 2016 Lingotot teachers across the country have been delivering their bespoke qualifications in primary school languages accredited by NCFE. They are benchmarked at entry level, one step before GCSE which sets children on the right path for progression in language learning. This is a first for the UK.

NCFE is the UK’s longest established awarding body and is respected for its professionalism and quality.

Christine Paxton, Head of Accreditation and Employer Services at NCFE, said: “We’re pleased to have accredited Lingotot’s modern foreign language programme for primary schools.

“It’s great news for pupils – for the first time they receive formal, external recognition of their achievements. Learning modern foreign languages at a young age is important and Lingotot will help many primary schools to deliver high quality MFL programmes, so we’re delighted to be able to support this by providing recognition to those who complete these courses.”

Nick Gibb, the minister with responsibility for school standards at Westminster, says the overall picture in Great Britain is improving.

“We are taking a range of measures to do this, such as creating a new network of schools that excel in the teaching of languages to share their expertise and best practice with others and setting up a new mentoring project to encourage pupils’ interest in languages.”

Angela Sterling, former foreign languages teacher and founder of Lingotot added: “If the government is serious about reversing this decline through engaging children at a younger age – which language professionals fully endorse – it is essential that there is an obvious pathway for progression.

“Having official qualifications will help secondary schools to ensure progression continues from the outset which will go a long way to fulfilling the government’s pledge to make MFL a priority. We are seeing this in action as our children move from primary to secondary school.”

Giselle Dominguez from Lingotot North Edinburgh commented: “I am sad to see a decline in MFL exam entries. Having studied languages myself I know the immense benefits which are more than linguistic.

“As well as speaking a foreign language, increasing young people’s cultural awareness and their ability to work with people from around the world is just as important.”

The multi award winning business, which was established in 2010, provides pre and primary school aged language classes in French, German, Italian, Spanish, ESL, Welsh, Arabic and Mandarin and now teaches more than 15,000 children each week through its growing franchise network.