Since the beginning of this year, the English-Speaking Union Scotland has been running a major CPD programme designed specifically to support ACfE implementation. It covers the use of speech and debate as a teaching and learning tool, and the general development of oral literacy in our classrooms - and is remarkably inexpensive.

From January to date, well over 200 primary and secondary schools from all parts of the country have been through one or more of our courses. The feedback we have received from participants has been tremendous, and there is huge demand for our services throughout 2009.

As you identify, though, the key question is one of finance. Funding has to be secure so we can continue and expand this work in 2010 and beyond.

We believe that few CPD courses will be more directly relevant to the new curriculum, in all disciplines and at all stages, than those we offer. However, as a small charity, we cannot sustain these services without the will to pay for them.

John A Duncan, director, ESU Scotland, Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh.