1. Early Language Learning and Multilingualism: Scottish and European Perspectives BILINGUALISM MATTERS

2. Gaelic-medium education as a contribution to Scotland’s 1+2 languages policy: present strengths and future challenges Fiona O’Hanlon The University of Edinburgh

3. Structure (i) Gaelic-medium education in Scotland (ii) Potential contribution of Gaelic-medium education to Scotland’s 1+2 languages policy (iii) Research evidence – present strengths & future challenges

5. Potential contribution of Gaelic-medium education to Scotland’s 1+2 languages policy  Aim “The aim of Gaelic-medium education is the attainment of a high level of language skills in two languages while also allowing for the learning of a third language.” (Scottish Government Languages Working Group, page 9)

6. Present strengths of Gaelic-medium education Source: The 2007 Scottish Survey of Achievement Gaelic-medium Survey (O’Hanlon, McLeod & Paterson 2010) Reading attainment in Primary 7: percentage of pupils at officially specified attainment level or higher

7. Present strengths of Gaelic- medium education Reading attainment in Primary 7: percentage of pupils at officially specified attainment level or higher Sources: The Scottish Survey of Achievement 2007, The 2007 Scottish Survey of Achievement Gaelic-medium Survey (O’Hanlon, McLeod & Paterson 2010)

8. Future challenges for Gaelic- medium education School stageGM Subjects (>3 schools) Middle secondary school (S3/S4)Gaelic, History, Geography Upper secondary school (S5/S6)Gaelic Source: O’Hanlon, Paterson & McLeod, 2012 Less provision for Gaelic-medium education at the middle and upper secondary school stages Future challenges - potential effect of reduced Gaelic-medium input on pupils’ age and stage related bilingual competencies?

9. Future challenges for Gaelic- medium education Modern Languages Provision “The aim of Gaelic-medium education is the attainment of a high level of language skills in two languages while also allowing for the learning of a third language.” (Scottish Government Languages Working Group, page 9) Future challenges: o Primary school stage – availability of Modern Languages in the Primary School scheme within Gaelic-medium education o Secondary school stage – varied provision regarding ability to take both Gaelic and another modern language

10. Conclusions Potential areas for future development of language provision in Gaelic-medium education:  Gaelic-medium education at the secondary school stage  Modern language provision at the primary and secondary school stages Conclusion:  Gaelic-medium education as a contribution to language learning in the Scottish context: a 1+2 languages approach, or a 2+1 languages approach?

11. References  Bòrd na Gàidhlig (2012) Gaelic education data 2011-2012. Inverness: Bòrd na Gàidhlig.  Johnstone, R., Harlen, W., MacNeill, M., Stradling, B. and Thorpe, G. (1999), The Attainments of Pupils Receiving Gaelic-medium Primary Education in Scotland, Stirling: Scottish CILT.  O’Hanlon, F. McLeod, W. Paterson, L. (2010) Gaelic-medium Education in Scotland: choice and attainment at the primary and early secondary school stages. Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh. http://www.soillse.ac.uk/downloads/Gaelic-Medium-Education- http://www.soillse.ac.uk/downloads/Gaelic-Medium-Education- In-Scotland.pdf  O’Hanlon, F. Paterson, L. McLeod, W. (2012) Language Models in Gaelic-medium pre-school, primary and secondary education. Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh  Scottish Government (2008) Scottish Survey of Achievement 2007. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.  Scottish Government (2009) The 2007 SSA Gaelic-medium Survey. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.  Scottish Government (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011 (Tables supplementary to Summary Statistics for Schools in Scotland, No. 1. 2011). http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School- Education/supppupils2011  Scottish Government Languages Working Group (2012) Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach. Report and Recommendations. Edinburgh: Scottish Government