CHILDREN should be taught one foreign language all the way through school, a committee of MSPs has recommended.

Concerns over funding to deliver the Scottish Government's intention to teach two foreign languages were raised when the European and External Affairs Committee produced its recommendations for language policy.

The government wants one foreign language taught from primary one and a second from primary five, known as the 1+2 model.

But the committee said councils should ensure one modern language is taught throughout and has asked the government for clarity on how it will deliver the 1+2 policy.

The MSPs have concerns whether the funding is sufficient and whether the necessary skills and resources are available.

It wants detail on how the government will promote the benefits of learning a language to encourage more people to be interested to allow the policy to work.

It is not known how many new teachers would be required or what training would be needed to deliver more language teaching, but it was recognised that the capacity does not currently exist.

Councils are now conducting an audit of its language teaching capability in terms of delivering the 1+2 programme and the committee has asked the government to indicate whether it will increase funding to provide the resources.

Committee convener Christina McKelvie said: "We have uncovered areas that the government should reflect upon as it begins to roll out this policy from pilot to Scotland wide.

"In particular, while the committee believes local authorities require flexibility on how they deliver the policy locally, there does need to be more continuity.

"Therefore, we are recommending that local authorities ensure one language is taught continuously from primary to secondary schools. This will help develop competency and can feed into the local job market more productively."

The committee recommended greater interaction between businesses, universities and schools to promote language learning and for languages to be better connected to other subjects, particularly science.

The committee took evidence from language experts, councils, firms and universities during the last six months.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk