The Scottish Government’s policy, Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach, is aimed at ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn a modern language from P1 until the end of the Broad General Education (BGE). This policy is known as L2. Additionally, each child is entitled to learn a second modern language from P5 onwards. This policy is known as L3.

A 1+2 approach from P1 onwards (PDF, 365KB) contains:

• guidance and advice on introducing L2 from Primary 1 onwards
• audio files of typical classroom vocabulary in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Gaelic and Mandarin to support teachers to introduce the target language into daily routines
• guidance on L3
• video clips of teachers using classroom language, delivering discrete language lessons, demonstrating and outlining how they ensure progress in language learning
• learning maps to exemplify how to incorporate the teaching of the target language within some typical primary learning contexts
• examples of how to incorporate cultural awareness as pupils progress through primary stages.
• a broad overview of expected outcomes P1 to P7 in the L2, based on a P1 start

Videos

A1+2 approach to language learning in P1 and 2

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Embedding a 1+2 approach in schools

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A 1+2 approach to modern languages - progress from first to second level

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Further documents

1+2 audios in French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Mandarin and Spanish (Zip file, 48MB)

Learning maps: for first and second levels (Zip file, 634KB)

Learning maps: first and second level comparison (Zip file, 219KB)

1+2 Pilot Programme Evaluations (Zip file, 2.2MB)

L3 guidance - updated May 2019 (PDF, 600KB)

L3 guidance - updated October 2017 (PDF, 76KB)

Further guidance on L3 within the 1+2 policy - February 2015 (PDF, 430KB)

Knowledge about language flowchart (PDF, 132KB)

Languages strategy advice (PDF, 171KB)

Working within the recommendations (PDF, 363KB)

Language learning and the four capacities (PDF, 53KB)

Making progress in cultural awareness (PDF, 114KB)

Daily planning to incorporate 1+2 languages - Example from Midlothian Council (PDF, 93KB)

Overview of progress in language learning with reflective questions (PDF, 427KB)

1+2 Modern Languages Expected outcomes P1-P7 (PDF, 677KB)