Last Updated: Wednesday, December 07, 2022

A 1+2 approach to modern languages

What is this?

This resource is designed to support practitioners to implement the 1+2 approach to language learning.

Who is this for?

​These resources are for practitioners delivering languages (L2 and L3) from P1 through to P7 and for Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) with planning.

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 (known as L2) from P1 until the end of the broad general education (S3). Additionally, each child is entitled to learn a second modern language (known as L3) from P5 onwards.

Explore this resource

This resource 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

Seven videos showing a 1+2 approach to language learning in P1/2

Click on the menu icon to show all seven videos.

Ten videos on embedding a 1+2 approach in schools

Click on the menu icon to show all 10 videos.

Ten videos in a 1+2 approach to modern languages - progress from first to second level

Click on the menu icon to show all 10 videos.

Download(s)

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

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

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

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

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

PDF file: L3 guidance (599 KB) (updated May 2019)

PDF file: L3 guidance (76 KB) (updated October 2017)

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

PDF file: Knowledge about language flowchart (132 KB)

PDF file: Languages strategy advice (171 KB)

PDF file: Working within the recommendations (363 KB)

PDF file: Language learning and the four capacities (53 KB)

PDF file: Making progress in cultural awareness (75 KB)

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

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

PDF file: 1 + 2 Modern Languages - Expected outcomes P1 - P7