Modern languages in the primary school in Spain and Scotland

Tierney, Daniel and Alonso-Nieto, Laly (2001) Modern languages in the primary school in Spain and Scotland. Vida Hispánica, 23. pp. 9-12. ISSN 0308-4957 (https://www.ittmfl.org.uk/modules/policy/4a/paper4...)

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Abstract

This article reports the outcomes of study visits to Spain in June 1998 and June 1999 to consider early language learning. The Basque Country was chosen because of its linguistic diversity in that there could be lessons to be learned for parts of Scotland where a language other than English is also the mother tongue. It also has autonomy in Education and would therefore differ from the situation in what was formerly known as el territorio MEC, namely, those parts of Spain which came under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education in Madrid. The situation in the former territorio MEC would form the second part of the study visit in 1998 when schools and other establishments in the Spanish capital would be visited and in 1999 when establishments in Asturias would be visited. During the visits there was the opportunity to meet both primary and secondary teachers, headteachers and some of those responsible for early language learning in Bilbao and Madrid and Asturias. We were able to observe classes in Bilbao, Larrabetzu San Sebastian, Irun, Gijon and Greater Madrid.