Scottish pupils' perceptions of their Spanish learning experience in the last year of primary and the first year of secondary

This article discusses Scottish pupils' perceptions of their Spanish learning experience in the last year of primary and the first year of secondary. In UK terms, Scotland has considerable experience to learn from in primary languages, as it embarked on a pilot programme in 1989, followed by a generalisation phase starting in 1993. This offered training to primary teachers across Scotland in a phased programme. Gradually, languages were taught in all primary schools in Scotland and became as established aspect of the curriculum. The main aim of the programme was to extend the period of development of linguistic competence in the same language. However, in so doing other aims of a primary language programme, such as increasing motivation to learn a language of developing a positive attitude to language learning and other cultures, might also be achieved. Until 2001 languages were compulsory in secondary schools until the age of 16. There was some relaxation of this in 2001, but languages remain compulsory in most schools in Scotland.