1+2 languages policy: findings from the 2023 survey of local authorities

1. Introduction

It is more crucial than ever for Scotland’s prosperity, and the prospects of its young people, that they are attracted to learning about other cultures and their languages, at home and abroad. Becoming confident and competent in communicating with people from around the world will enable them to become global citizens, well-equipped with the skills to thrive in the 21^st century.

In 2013, to achieve this vision, the Scottish Government introduced a new languages policy known as the 1+2 approach to language learning. The main aim of the policy is to create the conditions to provide all children and young people with an entitlement to learn additional languages, starting early in P1 and to the end of S3, providing all learners with a 10-year language learning experience.

According to the terms of the policy a first additional language, known as the L2, should be taught continuously from P1 through to the end of S3. While there is no hierarchy of languages within the 1+2 policy, an L2 must be a language that can be taught to the level of a National Qualification. It can therefore currently only be one of the following: French, Spanish, German, Italian, Gaelic (Learners), Urdu, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

A second additional language, known as the L3, can be any language, including British Sign Language (BSL), Latin, Scots and community languages. In primary schools, it should be taught no later than from P5. Pupils may learn the same language continuously, P5 to P7, or may learn different languages throughout P5-P7; it is for primary schools to decide on which model of L3 they can provide. In secondary schools, the L3 should be taught at some point during the Broad General Education (BGE). Both models must include the teaching of all four language learning skills, as well as cultural aspects of the language(s) learned.

To gauge progress with implementation of the 1+2 policy in the BGE, it was agreed by the Association of Directors of Education Scotland, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government (SG) that local authorities would provide regular information on language learning in their schools through surveys. Surveys were taken annually until 2019. The 2020 survey was cancelled due to the pandemic. The survey resumed in 2021 and a decision was made to only take it every two years to reflect the change of pace in implementation. The 2019 survey and 2021 survey full reports are available on the SG website.

This report summarises the findings of the survey covering the 2022-23 academic year.