A survey of local authorities has found widespread support for bringing Scots language into classrooms.

West of Scotland SNP MSP Bill Wilson approached education directors and found that Scots was providing several benefits, from boosting self-esteem to improving children’s grasp of English. It also enthused children, improved literacy, and helped remove barriers to learning, especially among the less able.

“The responses were overwhelmingly positive,” said Dr Wilson. “Local education authorities are imaginative and diverse in the ways they expose pupils to the language.”

One of the most interesting findings, he added, was that the regional diversity of Scots was a positive thing. Three of the most enthusiastic responses came from Aberdeenshire, Dundee and Shetland, all of which have distinctive dialects.

www.billwilsonmsp.orgimagesleas_and_scots_report.pdf.