THE growing number of ethnic minority families in Glasgow means that more than 100 different languages are now spoken in homes across the city.

THE growing number of ethnic minority families in Glasgow means that more than 100 different languages are now spoken in homes across the city.

A report by the Scottish Government shows that in 2007 there were 8853 city pupils whose home language was not English 511 more than the previous year.

Research shows there are 102 different languages spoken at home by city youngsters. The most common after English, Gaelic, Scots, Doric and sign language are Punjabi, Urdu and Arabic.

Gordon Matheson, city council executive spokesman for education, said the growing number of "new Glaswegians" in schools benefits pupils from all backgrounds.

But he called on the Government to provide extra cash to help the council meet the needs of pupils whose first language is not English.

Mr Matheson said: "The increase in diversity in our school age population adds immeasurably to Glasgow's culture and to the education and experience of all our young people.

"Pupils learn there is a big, diverse, interesting world out there and that the net impact of migration on our city is culturally, socially and economically beneficial.

"However, there are challenges and as an education service we are currently undergoing a comprehensive review to ensure we meet the learning needs of our pupils, including those for whom English is not their first language."

Other languages spoken by city pupils include Chinese Mandarin, Polish, Cantonese, Swahili, Kurdish and Thai, French, German, Spanish and Italian.

Mr Matheson added: "There is a need for the Scottish Government to look afresh at this from a funding perspective.

"Not only has the number of new Glaswegians increased over the past five years but the number of different languages being spoken has increased too and we have to develop the support services to meet their needs."

Education director for Glasgow Maureen McKenna revealed that at the start of the school term last summer, 25 children - none of whom spoke English - turned up at a Govanhill primary.

She added: "We can have 37 children in one week arriving in schools across the city.

"We not only have pupils who don't have English but don't have any education, in particular girls from Afghanistan who have not been allowed access to education.

"Our schools are rich and diverse, which is fantastic, but for some class teachers it is difficult. We do not have sufficient specialist teachers to meet demands so we are looking at having to train classroom teachers.

"It is about learning how children acquire language and using more visual prompts."

The Scottish Government report also shows almost half of the city's pupils live in areas with the worst deprivation in Scotland.

Of the 66,402 secondary, primary and special needs pupils in the city 30,336 stay in areas regarded as the most deprived in the country.

However, Mr Matheson added: "A number of our areas are no longer at the bottom of the economic league table."