Progress has been made to recognise minority languages in Scotland but more must be done at both the domestic and EU level, according to a panel at the Festival of Politics.

Speaking at the ‘Linguistic Diversity in Europe – Let’s Begin at Home’ event chaired by Rob Gibson MSP in the Scottish Parliament, specialists in the field engaged in a lively debate on the way forward for Scots and other minority languages within the European context.?

These inspections of pupils’ attainment in modern languages took place in the context of primary school staff giving increased consideration to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence. By stimulating debate about attainment and learning and teaching, the visits and this report aim to challenge those involved in teaching modern languages to review the extent to which current practice is successfully promoting the four capacities in young learners.

Read the HMIE report Developing the four capacities through modern languages: focusing on successful learners in primary schools.

There are already more Spanish candidates in fourth year, and the subject is set to overtake German at Higher for the first time next year.

Read more in the Scotsman online

With current and ongoing innovations in technology Gàidhlig communities can be more connected than ever before.  In this seminar delegates will be explore different ways of setting up online Gàidhlig communities to meet their  own specific needs.

Using Scots Language creatively in the Classroom - Philippa Cochrane Scottish Book Trust - Thursday 10:30 Seminar code M1G

This seminar will outline a range of initiatives available to support the creative use of Scots in the classroom, from some of Scotland’s best Scots language practitioners.

European school partnerships - Susan Linklater eTwinning Manager , British Council - Thursday 10:30 Seminar code M1G

This presentation will provide an overview of eTwinning and Comenius, and information on how to get involved. The key focus of the session will be a case study from Woodacre Nursery School, whose eTwinning project with a school in Milan enabled them to achieve the International Excellence Award.

Discovery International Film Festival - Meryl James, Margaret Foley and Joe Hall - Thursday 14:00 Seminar code N1I

Discovery Film Festival at DCA has been presenting world cinema and developing ‘moving image education’ activity for the past four years demonstrating strong partnership between an arts organisation and Education Authorities. This seminar will present evaluation outcomes and current pilot projects with Dundee, and Perth & Kinross Education Departments.

Confucius Classrooms will act as local ‘hubs’ which offer resources, expertise, activities and experiences to learners at all stages and in multiple curricular contexts. The presenters will describe the Confucius Classroom vision and the steps they have taken towards its achievement, to deliver benefits in languages learning, cultural activity, citizenship and international understanding.

Passport Sante - Woodhill Primary School - Wednesday 09:30 Seminar Code N1A

This session will discuss a modern languages innovation, driven, delivered and disseminated by Woodhill Primary School. It aims to develop young people’s language learning in French and English by communicating with native French speakers incorporating the use of blogging and podcasting. Centred around good health and citizenship, this is Curriculum for Excellence in action!

Using Animated Characters - Sharon Tonner - Wednesday 10:45 Code Scottish Education Village 03

Using animated characters (http://voki.com) to enhance listening and talking skills with primary children. This presentation will show how animated characters are being used successfully throughout a primary school (http://votw.wikispaces.com/) to provide a meaningful context to develop language skills. The session will also demonstrate how to make an animated character using the voki software.

Language, Learners and the Power of New Technologies - Ollie Bray Musselburgh Grammar - Wednesday 12:30  and 13:30 Seminar code F1B and F1C

Children love using interactive voting systems. In this educational briefing participants will be included in a hands-on session, allowing them to experience learner response technology in a real-class lesson and will also showcase a variety of case studies linking to different outcomes within the Scottish curriculum. 

Thinking out of the Xbox: if a picture really did speak 1000 words - Ewan McIntosh LTS - Wednesday 13:30 Seminar Code C 2 C

Using free online tools everyone can be empowered with the best in digital image editing and the powerful potential of sharing. Take a look at how eTwinning projects have blossomed regardless of the language barrier, and how digital images and sequences from games can be used as a stimulus for vivid creative writing. This is a must-see for anyone working in foreign language education or English, in the primary or secondary sector.

Using cross-curricular activities to deliver the four capacities - Robert McKinstry Scottish CiLT - Wednesday 15:45 Seminar code N1D

Scottish CILT staff will outline suggestions and make proposals for cross-curricular activities in modern languages which will seek to ensure appropriate and challenging coverage and delivery of the four capacities. They will indicate how they see it possible to develop crosscutting themes while still ensuring appropriately demanding activities in modern languages.

Modern Languages: the draft experiences and outcomes - Rosemary Delaney and Brian Templeton LTS - Wednesday 16:45 Seminar Code J1E

The Modern Languages draft experiences and outcomes were published on the LTS website in October 2007. In this session the speaker will provide an update on the Modern Languages draft experiences and outcomes, including the various aspects of the engagement process and the emerging key issues. Participants will be able to learn about interesting and innovative practices which have been highlighted through the engagement process and will have an opportunity to share their views.

Anyone aged over 16, resident in Scotland with at least some ability in Gaelic and access to digital television is invited to join the viewers panel. Taking part would mean completing an online diary and rating any programmes viewed (contributers will be entered into a £100 prize draw every month).

For more info please email leirsinn@smo.uhi.ac.uk or visit the Lèirsinn website.

SQA is now working closely with colleagues in the Scottish Government and key stakeholders to take this important development forward. The Baccalaureate will be available to centres in August 2009 with first certification in August 2010.

The following letter has been distributed to all centres with more details PDF file: Baccalaureate Letter August 2008 .

Read the Scottish Government news release from June

 Je Suis Un Rockstar website

This is part of an integrated marketing campaign from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS) to encourage young people to study MFL after the age of 14.

Read more from the DCFS news page

• Transition – how will CfE assist in the development of programmes in the upper primary and early secondary years?
• Links between first and second languages – how can modern languages teachers effectively build on pupils’ first language skills and help to develop overall literacy?
• HMIE – the modern languages inspectorate team will continue their very valuable input and dialogue on themes related to effective learning and teaching and CfE.

 To apply email Mandy Reeman-Clark at Scottish CILTand register your interest for any one of the events in the forthcoming session amanda.reemanclark@stir.ac.uk or visit the MFLE events page for more details.