Scottish Policy to Promote Bilingualism and Progression

Margaret Allan,Qualifications Manager – NQ Languages

SQAÙghdarras Theisteanas

na h-Alba

IATEFL, March 2012

Bilingual language learners Context for learning Recent Scottish policy Impact on progression Scottish Qualifications to support progression

The Scottish Context: ESOL and Gaelic

The linguistic congruences

ESOL Gaelic – Gaelic fluent / Gaidhlig

Gaelic (Learners) Levels of bilingualism:

developing to fully-functioning bilinguals Support through Education:

- First language maintenance- Varieties of delivery- Opportunities for progression

Parallel contexts for learning - informal

ESOL - in ‘host’ community, ie Scotland - linguistic ‘isolation’

- access to English language media - with ‘jagged profiles’

Gaelic - ‘family’/ community - rural / urban - access to Gaelic media - strong Listening skills

Parallel contexts for learning - formal

ESOL and Gaelic provision:

- in schools; in Gaelic Medium / Gaelic Units / ‘mainstream’- in community classes- in colleges- in the voluntary sector

Recent Scottish Policy

Gaelic – Gaelic Language Act (2005) ESOL – Adult ESOL Strategy (2007) (‘1 + 2 Languages’ (2011)) Shared commitments: - to education - to supporting bilingual learners to access and

contribute to society - to progression opportunities

Gaelic Language Act

Key principle - Language acquisition through education

Expansion of: Gaelic-Medium Education (GME) at

pre-school, primary and secondary levels Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) in schools Gaelic education for adults and in vocational

situationsSupport for Gaelic Language Plans

Adult ESOL Strategy for Scotland

Vision:‘…encouraging active citizenship in a

diverse and pluralistic society…opportunity to access high quality English language provision…to enable them to participate in Scottish life...central to …a democratic voice …to contribute to the society in which they live...’

Three pillars of Adult ESOL Strategy

‘ESOL curriculum framework ...be fully linked to ...the SCQF’ and that ‘summative assessment ... promotes articulation to mainstream programmes, and ...employment opportunities’

Professional pathways for ESOL teachers Targeted financial support for ESOL

delivery across Scotland

SG Policy impact on SQA - 1

SQA ESOL Strategy: development of

ESOL NQ Framework and support materials ESOL for Work qualifications TESOL awards and training materials

SG Policy impact on SQA

SQA Gaelic Education Strategy

SQA Gaelic Language Plan

- Extension of the range of subject examinations available in the medium of Gaelic- continued support for Gaelic qualifications- qualifications to support and encourage Gaelic (Learners) for adults

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework: supporting bilingual learners

1 12 23 34 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

10 10

11 11

12 12

SVQ 3Higher

HNC / HE Certificate

HND / HE Diploma

Ordinary Degree

Honours Degree

Masters

Doctorate

6 6

Access 1Access 2

Access 3/Foundation SG

Intermediate 1/General SG

Intermediate 2/Credit SG

Advanced Higher

Higher

SVQ 1SVQ 2

SVQ 4

SVQ 5

SVQ 3

Schools FE/HE Work-based

SQA Qualifications to support bilingualism and progressionCurrently, within SCQF: NQ ESOL Framework, SCQF 2 - 6 ‘ESOL for Work’ qualifications, SCQF 4 & 5 ESOL NQGA development, SCQF 4 & 5 TESOL qualifications, SCQF 6, 9 & 10 NQ Gaelic (Learners) and Gaidhlig, SCQF 3 -7 Gaelic for Work Purposes, SCQF 3 - 7 Single skills Gaelic Units SCQF 4 & 5

Curriculum for Excellence - Languages

Successful language learners Confident language users Responsible multilingual citizens Effective communicators

Curriculum for Excellence – SQA support for bilingualism and progression

ESOL and Gaelic / Gaidhlig: Review and development of NQs Specialist representation on languages’

decision-making groups Revised QA processes

Harnessing the potential of ESOL & Gaelic bilingual learnersSocial advantages:–access to two cultures–more tolerance towards/interest in other cultures Linguistic advantages:–early awareness of sounds, words, sentences–enhanced language learning abilities–earlier reading Cognitive advantages:–mental benefits: how children use their brain in many situations.

(from Antonella Sorace, Univeristy of Edinburgh)

Why support bilingualism?

Fluent users of English confident using higher order language skills, aware of the

importance of context and audience able to access all aspects of the curriculumGreater awareness of how language operates: development of literacy skills, especially decoding learning of other languagesEnhanced problem solving abilities: Maths/ICTHeightened creative potential: writing and critical understanding

(from SEALCC: ‘Learning in 2+ Languages’)

Thank you Tapadh leibh