L3 Planning and Development
L3 development in the primary sector provides an opportunity to develop:
- Increasing experiences and outcomes across languages
- Rich, multicultural learning experiences
- Learning about the wider world and global citizenship
- Intercultural skills
- Links across languages and literacy
- Transferable language skills
- Meaningful learning in a range of contexts and across the curriculum
L3 primary planning is an opportunity to give learners a wider range of language learning experiences. This learning is typically developed year on year, over the course of P5 to P7, through a number of possible approaches. These include developing L3 in one additional language year on year (e.g. three progressive Spanish blocks delivered over three years) or two or more different languages (e.g. British Sign Language, German and Scots). Possible approaches for delivery, planning, skills development, and outcomes for L3 are shared below. These can be combined to develop a bespoke cluster or school model in line with learner needs and school planning.
Delivery
- Language spoken by a teacher, learner, family member, school partner etc.
- Language delivered by an external specialist e.g. German Education Trainee, Mandarin specialist, Gaelic teacher etc.
- Language being learned by the teacher whilst delivering the learning
- Learner led: Learners working in groups and using reference and digital tools to learn aspects of a language e.g. greetings, talking about self and key phrases for a trip abroad
Planning
- Regular planned learning over a designated period of time (e.g. weekly sessions over a year or a term)
- One language revisited progressively year on year (P5, P6 and P7)
- Different language experiences developed year on year e.g. P5 Gaelic, P6 Spanish, P7 Polish – (with a focus on transferable skills development across languages)
- Language linked to interdisciplinary theme/topic e.g. Scots, Japanese, Gaelic, Polish. For example, a country study with language learning embedded within the topic.
Skills development
- Progressive learning of 1 or more languages and developing skills in line with Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes (2nd Level)
- Global citizenship e.g. linking learning to Scotdec Global Goals
- Wider achievement e.g. linking to Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS) or John Muir Award
- Exploring world views, developing intercultural competencies, sharing, and exploring culture of self and others
- Language learning e.g. Exploring what, why and how do we learn languages?
- Links to literacy and exploring links across languages.
- Intercultural learning e.g. Partnership projects with other schools (e.g. letters in the language being learned)
Learning Outcomes
- Creating a presentation about your school in the target language and sharing it with another school at home or abroad
- Shared literacy projects e.g. stories for younger learners in the language being learned, presentation to families etc.
- Whole school assembly to share learning
- Booklet / presentation summary of learning and reflections
The Education Scotland updated L3 guidance document, Language Learning in Scotland: A 1+2 Approach. Guidance on L3 within the 1+2 policy Updated May 2019, provides more detailed guidance on possible planning models and guidance for L3 in general. See resources for links.