3. Scottish Policy to Promote Bilingualism and Progression Margaret Allan, Qualifications Manager – NQ Languages SQA Ùghdarras Theisteanas na h-Alba IATEFL, March 2012

4.  Bilingual language learners  Context for learning  Recent Scottish policy  Impact on progression  Scottish Qualifications to support progression The Scottish Context: ESOL and Gaelic

5. The linguistic congruences  ESOL  Gaelic – Gaelic fluent / Gàidhlig Gaelic (Learners)  Levels of bilingualism: developing to fully-functioning bilinguals  Support through Education: - First language maintenance - Varieties of delivery - Opportunities for progression

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 situations Support for Gaelic Language Plans

10. 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...’

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework: supporting bilingual learners 11223344 556677889910 11 12 SVQ 3Higher HNC / HE Certificate HND / HE Diploma Ordinary Degree Honours Degree Masters Doctorate 66 Access 1 Access 2 Access 3/ Foundation SG Intermediate 1/ General SG Intermediate 2/ Credit SG Advanced Higher Higher SVQ 1 SVQ 2 SVQ 4 SVQ 5 SVQ 3 SchoolsFE/HEWork-based

15. SQA Qualifications to support bilingualism and progression Currently, 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 Gàidhlig, SCQF 3 -7  Gaelic for Work Purposes, SCQF 3 - 7  Single skills Gaelic Units SCQF 4 & 5

16. Curriculum for Excellence - Languages  Successful language learners  Confident language users  Responsible multilingual citizens  Effective communicators

17. Curriculum for Excellence – SQA support for bilingualism and progression ESOL and Gaelic / Gàidhlig:  Review and development of NQs  Specialist representation on languages’ decision-making groups  Revised QA processes

18. Harnessing the potential of ESOL & Gaelic bilingual learners Social 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)

19. 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 curriculum Greater awareness of how language operates:  development of literacy skills, especially decoding  learning of other languages Enhanced problem solving abilities: Maths/ICT Heightened creative potential: writing and critical understanding (from SEALCC: ‘Learning in 2+ Languages’)

20. Thank you Tapadh leibh