Languages Group

The SCDE Languages Group consists of colleagues from the 11 Higher Education institutions who collaborate to support the Scottish Government 1 + 2 Languages Policy.

If you wish to contact the group, please email Inge Birnie (Group Co-Chair) at ingeborg.birnie@strath.ac.uk or Francisco Valdera-Gil (Group Co-Chair) at Francisco.Valdera-Gil@glasgow.ac.uk.

The SCDE Languages Group aims to support the Scottish Government 1 + 2 Language Policy by promoting the crucial role and contribution of teacher education in the teaching and learning of languages across Scotland's schools. The SCDE Languages Group represents Schools of Education across Scottish University for all language learning, including (but not limited to) international languages, heritage languages, Gaelic, BSL and other signed languages and English as an additional language.

This section provides details of the current members of the Scottish Council of Deans of Education Languages Group.

Group membership

University of Aberdeen: Dr Colin Christie

University of Dundee: Carrie McLennan, Argyro Kanaki

University of Edinburgh: Dr Fiona O'Hanlon, Dr Michael Lynch, Professor Do Coyle

University of Glasgow: Dr Francisco Valdera-Gil, Dr Christine Hadfield, Dr Michele Vincent

University of the Highlands and Islands: TBC

Queen Margaret University: Lorna Anderson

University of Stirling: Dr Lorele Mackie

University of Strathclyde: Dr Inge Birnie, Claire Mouat

University of the West of Scotland: Laurence Giraud Johnstone

Co-Chairs: Dr Inge Birnie and Dr Francisco Valdera-Gil

The SCDE Languages Group (LG) has developed the National Framework for Languages (NFfL) which sets out guidance for the integration of languages teaching and learning into ITE programmes and school curricula. The NFfL aims to support all teacher educators, and pre- and in-service teachers in developing an understanding of the role of language in and for education. To support the implementation of the NFfL, the SCDE LG has also created a resource bank of studies and research findings from national and international contexts to support teachers and educators in implementing the NFfL in their practice (LENS) and a portfolio to guide self-reflection (LEAP).

The SCDE LG has also created the Plurilingual Classrooms in Action MOOC to allow teachers, at any stage of their career, to develop an understanding of learning and teaching languages to explore the transformative role of languages in education.

The SCDE LG also works with other stakeholders, including SCILT and the Scottish Government to promote the teaching and learning of languages, with a particular emphasis on pre-service teachers and initial teacher education provision.

Visit the NFfL website

National Framework for Languages (NFfL)

The National Framework for Languages is aligned with the GTCS professional standards and recognises the role that languages play in and for learning and how teachers can support all learners with language learning through their professional commitment, knowledge and understanding, and skills and abilities.

[The NFfL is currently in the process of being updated]

NFfL website

University of Glasgow

The NFfL forms the basis of the Curriculum Enquiry courses from Year 1 to Year 4. Students start working on ‘My Languages Profile’ from the beginning and develop this as they progress through the Programme. It takes the form of a One Note class notebook and includes a series of reflective tasks as well as ‘competency’ statements which are based on the Framework. This Profile allows them to chart their developing pedagogical awareness and promotes a pluriliteracies approach throughout. Students are also encouraged to complete the Plurillingual Classrooms in Action MOOC which we have produced.

University of Strathclyde

At the University of Strathclyde the NFfL forms the basis of the BAPE Year 3 core module "Language teaching and learning in the primary school" - where students are introduced to plurilingual practices and awareness and how these might be fostered in the primary school. The framework and associated tools is also used for the languages input for the PGDE (Primary) course.

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee uses the NFfL in their core module 'Language' - where MA2 students receive 10 inputs on Modern Language pedagogies. The framework is also used in the PGDE Modern Language elective module.

Useful links

The National Framework for Languages site

Plurilingual Classrooms in Action MOOC