Scots language in the Broad General Education (Early and First level)

Two girls looking at a map of Scotland

2. Input


Activity 1

In this activity, you will engage with Unit 3, Scots in Education (especially Sections 3 and 4) and Unit 12, Scots song (especially Sections 1, 2 and 3), of the Open University’s Scots language and culture course.

While the sections noted above are especially relevant, you should undertake as many activities as you can in Units 3 and 12, taking notes on the aspects that are relevant to the key learning points listed for that unit, as well as noting references for resources. You may want to import your notes by pasting them into your learning log (link below, which opens in a new tab) for future reference.

Learning log


Activity 2

In this activity you will consider four Scots texts and how each of them could support your learners in developing their listening skills. Consider how learners can engage with the texts. You will now read, watch clips and listen to audio recordings of some Scots texts aimed at young children:


A.

While reading/watching and/or listening to each text, it is important you make notes on the following questions:

  1. Which stage of CfE would this text be suitable for?

  2. Which learning activities, within which curricular areas, could be planned in relation to this text?

  3. How difficult is the Scots within the text?

  4. What support would learners require in terms of being able to understand the text?

Learning log

Compare your answer with our model answer.


B.

Choose a Scots text – either one of the four specified above or one that you have sourced yourself. Consider what purpose the engagement with the text would have for your pupils, i.e. learning Scots words, learning about a cultural/historical aspect etc. Also consider how you would support your learners in understanding the text, with particular consideration given to any challenges that the use of the text may present.

To give you some ideas for poetry written in Scots that you might want to use in your classroom, please explore the Scottish Poetry Library online, which features a wealth of poems written in Scots, often accompanied by audio recordings of the poems read by the author and information about the author; or the extensive Poetry section of the Scots Language Centre website.

Learning log

Compare your answer with our model answer.