European and External Relations Committee

Meeting date: Thursday, January 10, 2013

Official Report 548KB pdf

---

Foreign Language Learning in Primary Schools Inquiry

Item 5 on the agenda is our foreign language learning in primary schools inquiry. Jenny Goldsmith has put together a brief report on the formal launch of the inquiry, which took place at Dalmarnock primary school. Do you want to say anything about it, Jenny?

I will be brief, as I am aware of the time and the fact that Helen Eadie needs to get away.

I will highlight the main points quickly—I will not go through them all. In the evidence-taking session, we dealt with issues such as funding and parents’ and teachers’ engagement. The report also touches on the qualification issues, towards the end of page 1. Hanzala Malik and Christina McKelvie attended the meeting, so they can answer any questions that members might have.

It was an excellent morning. “Impressed” is probably too weak a word to use with regard to our impression of the skills, motivation and understanding of the kids, parents and teachers. The key factor in that was the leadership of the headteacher. If we could capture what she has and put it in a bottle so that we could administer it to every headteacher in the country, we would be in a good place.

Most headteachers would duplicate that feeling. I genuinely feel that our school staff have faced great challenges, historically, and they seem to do better and better, year after year. I was absolutely impressed with the level of commitment of the staff, pupils and parents. I hope and pray that we can replicate that across Scotland, because I think that our kids deserve it.

The inquiry will continue. We can simply note the report and incorporate its findings into the final report.

Our next meeting will be on 24 January. We will speak to some academics and take forward issues around the human trafficking directive.

The meeting with the Canadian delegation has been shifted from 2.15 to 3.15, because their timetable has changed. An email was sent out yesterday to say that that was the case. Members should let the clerks know whether you wish to attend.

I believe that a meeting is scheduled with the Bulgarian ambassador, too. Is it possible for me to be included in that meeting?

Absolutely. I did not think that you would miss that opportunity.

I had not seen anything about it in the emails.

I apologise to Jenny Goldsmith. I will read her report.

The information about the Bulgarian ambassador was sent out by the UK and international relations office. That went to all members.

Did it? Sorry. I must have missed it.

When is the Canadian meeting?

It is on 24 January.

And it has been moved to what time?

It has been moved from 2.15 to 3.15.

Okay, Helen, you had better be off.

Meeting closed at 11:33.