Keen tae Ken yir Kin puts Scots language in a context where it is at the centre of learning. It is designed to 'twin' classes from different areas of Scotland for learners to share their experiences of and in Scots language. The twinned schools will be from two areas of Scotland where different regional varieties of Scots are traditionally used.

The scheme gives learners an audience of their peers for their work in Scots and gives practitioners more opportunities to share their professional experience of using Scots in the classroom. By communicating in and understanding Scots language, young people can explore their collective and shared identity, as well developing their skills within literacy and language learning.

​Explore this resource

Scots is one of the three indigenous languages of Scotland and forms an integral part of our heritage and cultural life. It plays a vital role in children’s and young people’s learning about Scotland. ‘Keen tae Ken yir Kin’ puts Scots language in a context where it is at the centre of learning.

The ‘3-18 Literacy and English Review’ recognises that Scots can make a strong contribution to the development of children’s and young people’s literacy skills. The ‘Keen tae Ken yir Kin’ learning journey details the literacy experiences and outcomes available to cover as well as other areas of the curriculum

Including Scots as part of Curriculum for Excellence can help motivate some learners and their families by showing them that the language that they use at home is valued.

Scots can encourage reluctant readers and writers to become involved as texts in Scots can capture the imagination and speak to them in a familiar voice. ‘Keen tae Ken yir Kin’ is structured into eight stages, with six learning episodes provided and two further lessons to be developed by the schools involved. As a result of engaging with this learning and assessment resource you can improve your skills in creatively collaborating with colleagues.

Reflective Questions:

• Have your studies of Scotland featured Scots language?
• Have you explored how learning Scots can often improve your learners’ development of their wider literacy skills?
• Have you explored how using Scots in learning settings can often improve learners’ engagement and attainment?
• How can you use your skills in teaching learners about texts as well as creating texts to explore the educational benefits Scots offers?

Downloads

Word file: Keen tae Ken yir Kin: First level

​Word file: Keen tae Ken yir Kin: Second level

Word file: Keen tae Ken yir Kin: Third/fourth level

Word file: Keen tae Ken yir Kin: Senior phase

PDF file: Keen tae Ken yir Kin: Further lesson ideas and useful links