The Scottish Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (Scottish CILT) was established in 1991 and is the national centre for languages in Scotland. The centre supports the teaching and learning of languages and provides information about languages for students and teachers, opinion formers and policy makers by:
- supporting and promoting the learning and use of all languages of relevance to Scotland
- conducting relevant research in support of the work of language teachers and other language professionals
Scottish CILT receives a grant from the Scottish Government to fund its core activities.
View a presentation of Scottish CILT's activities and services: What do we do?
Professional Services
The Professional Services team at Scottish CILT delivers high quality CPD opportunities in all areas of Scotland for teachers of languages, and other interested professionals. A programme of all Scottish CILT events, outreach, national, and virtual, is available on the Professional Services page. The CPD team consists of Catriona Oates and Liz Scott.
Our aim in Professional Services is to provide:
- regular updating on current developments in Scottish Education relevant to languages
- information about relevant languages education research
- explore new ideas and approaches in classroom practice
In session 2009-10 we are planning to work in partnership with local authorities on small scale action research projects in schools. If you are interested in participating in one of these partnership projects please contact: Catriona Oates or Liz Scott.
Resources and Enquiry Service
The Scottish CILT Resource Centre’s Academic collection has been absorbed into the main library at the University of Strathclyde, Jordanhill Campus. However the Centre still offers an enquiry and information service relating to statistics, trends and aspects of languages learning, teaching and research. This service works in support of Scottish CILT’s numerous networks including university staff, school teachers, local authority and cultural institute staff and government agencies providing information via email, telephone or letter. News items relating to languages are filed in a special news archive on the Scottish CILT website.
Newsletter
The Scottish CILT e-newsletter provides an update on recent and current languages activities in Scotland and beyond. As well as highlighting the work of Scottish CILT, it aims to present an overview of developments both in Scotland, and, where relevant, further afield. The newsletter provides information for all sectors of languages education and draws on a wide range of contributors. The newsletter has recently been made available as an electronic publication: the distribution list is extensive and includes primary and secondary schools in Scotland, further and higher education institutions, teacher educators, local authority advisers, cultural institutes and publishers. Subscriptions are free; for more information contact Mandy Reeman-Clark
Research
Scottish CILT has played a key role in researching language learning and use in Scotland and beyond. Past and current projects have concentrated on language learning and teaching in all sectors of education, on translating, interpreting and communication support, and, in addition to the main European languages, have had a particular focus on Gaelic and Community Languages.