Language Trends Scotland
Download the report
The first Language Trends report for Scotland launched on Monday 03 February, and provides a comprehensive overview of modern language teaching and learning across Scottish schools.
The research, conducted by Queen's University Belfast for the British Council, offers an independent overview of modern language provision across primary and secondary schools, both local-authority and independent. It examines current teaching approaches, qualification patterns and international engagement.
The report highlights the decline in Language learning in Scotland at senior levels over the last decade, reflecting the trend across the rest of the UK.
While combined entries at National level (2-5) have increased by 6 per cent over the last five years, uptake of multiple languages drops sharply by S4. At this stage, nearly half of local authority secondary schools report less than 5 per cent of pupils studying more than one language, with 30 per cent reporting no pupils taking multiple languages at all.
The research highlights both challenges and opportunities: while modern language learning faces significant barriers, the report shows a strong foundation at primary with 98 per cent of responding primary schools offering languages in the curriculum and pupils' enthusiasm for languages show potential for growth.
This inaugural Scottish report joins the established Language Trends series, which provides annual research across the UK.
Find out more about the British Council's Language Trends Research
Download the report now for latest analysis of modern language learning trends in Scottish schools.
- England: Annual surveys since 2002
- Wales: Annual surveys since 2015
- Northern Ireland: Biennial surveys since 2019
- Scotland: Annual survey since 2024
