Bonjour, Buenos Días, Guten Morgen & Buongiorno

Published: 18 December 2015

Bailie Cameron, a keen linguist and supporter of language learning for all young people in the city, is delighted that schools are benefitting from the language assistants.

She said: "There is no better way to learn a language and about a countries culture than from a native speaker.

"The assistants are a wonderful addition to our secondary school language departments and complement the wonderful work our modern language teachers are doing across the city.

"The assistants are helping to bring their language and culture to life for their pupils and use up to date materials like songs, news and current affairs to engage young people in the language they are learning."

As the modern language assistants are often university students or recent graduates themselves, pupils relate to them and develop a better understanding and a confidence in speaking the language as a result.

As Bailie Cameron added: "Glasgow is at the forefront of language learning and we are always looking at ways in which to help our young people be the very best they can be.

"I am passionate about languages and it is fabulous that we have the experience of the 27 modern language assistants this year in our schools. Learning a second and even a third language is a valuable skill that will lead to improved job opportunities and can take our young people around the globe and into jobs they might not previously have considered.

"As Nelson Mandela said - if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language that goes to his heart."

The modern language assistants are funded by Glasgow's 1+2 approach to modern language learning and organised as part of The British Council's modern language programme.

As well as working in secondary schools, the MLAs will also work with primary children across the city.