Australian and German research has shown that a too early exposure to a second language will not necessarily benefit children unless they have a naturally bilingual family background. Recommended entry age for the acquisition of a second language is 8 years of age for other children.

The 1+2 languages policy is an important opportunity to raise the profile of all modern foreign languages in Scotland, but care must be taken that its implementation does not come at a loss to languages other than French.

A Higher qualification in a modern language should be considered a normal asset for any academic graduate, including primary and secondary teachers. It is standard across Europe and across the globe for good reasons.

Kirsten Herbst-Gray, Langholm Academy, Dumfries and Galloway.