This annual research offers a detailed overview of modern language availability across primary, secondary, and independent educational sectors.

The report is based on feedback from 169 local authority primary schools, 114 local authority secondary schools, and 12 independent schools throughout 29 of Scotland's 32 local authorities, contributing to the broader Language Trends series that encompasses all nations in the UK.

Key findings include:

A rise in higher entries for French, German, and Spanish for the second consecutive year.

99 percent of responding primary schools are offering language instruction, with one in five integrating it into daily classroom activities.

Structural challenges are on the rise: 59 percent of local authority secondary schools report that classes do not proceed if enrollment is too low (up from 52 percent last year), with over a third now necessitating a minimum of 10 students to run a class.

Access to language education varies significantly: over 70 percent of schools in the most deprived areas report classes not being held due to insufficient numbers, compared to only 50 percent in more affluent regions.

Teachers noted the presence of over 100 different home and heritage languages among students in participating secondary schools, and the provision of exams for heritage languages has risen from 29 percent to 36 percent.

Dr. Jayne Duff, one of the authors of the Languages Trends Scotland report notes that:

Language education is not just a subject in the curriculum; it’s a vital gateway to understanding diverse cultures and fostering global citizenship. Our findings highlight both the progress being made and the challenges we face in ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have equitable access to language learning opportunities.

You can read the full report here: https://doi.org/10.57884/6N2T-YV63

Dr Ian Collen

SSESW

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