At Buckstone Primary as part of City of Edinburgh Council in line with Scottish Government policy we are excited to be involved in the 1+2 initiative for modern languages. We strive to support learners to reach their full potential in everything that they do. Our staff have varied knowledge, skills and confidence in French from complete beginner to University level. Until this year French was taught solely to primary 6 and 7 by a specialist teacher. During this academic year we have embraced the 1+2 approach with a focus on embedding modern languages and including opportunities for cultural and topic related learning where possible. Staff are enthusiastic and keen to increase their experience to improve the quality of learning opportunities for the children resulting in many of them dedicating their professional development hours towards improving their French. Despite this positive start all staff feel their confidence in teaching French can be increased and so we are keen to pursue every opportunity to support this and language learning in France where we can interact with native speakers would be a fantastic opportunity. By attending a LFEE course in France our staff would become more confident to develop and deliver high quality learning experiences for our children which would help us meet our School Quality Improvement Plan target. An increase in confidence would allow them to become champions for modern languages; supporting colleagues and pupil support assistants and spreading enthusiasm. By ensuring several staff members attend the training we will increase our ability to support and sustain change. Sending 8 staff members, including a member of the senior management team, could mean a French champion at each stage plus support in policy making and sharing with the community. Commitment to professional development would be clearly evidenced. The LFEE courses introduce attendees to new and motivating resources and demonstrate how to adapt ideas for different ages. They balance language learning with cultural activities. There is an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals encouraging sharing and supporting perhaps with moderation in France and on our return to Scotland. The opportunity to gather cultural resources to encourage comparison between Salignac and Lyon and Edinburgh are huge and naturally encourages global citizenship. Even to share with our learners that we went to France as part of our job could be enlightening for them! The expected impact of this training opportunity is that all staff will increase confidence and skill level in French leading to their greater ability to teach French. In turn this will filter through to the rest of the staff through our French champions. French and France will be promoted and all teaching staff will be enthused. Able teaching staff will transfer their positivity to their learners leading to success. An increase in the quality and quantity of French teaching will lead to an increase in the ability of the learners so we will need to produce and source new resources or new ways of using resources. This will certainly be supported by attending an LFEE immersion course. Champions will suggest and model resources and they will also have access to resources created by others, friendships formed during the courses will ensure sharing and supporting outwith our school. Our whole school approach will lead to including a French element in assemblies. Parents will be included and encouraged to support our efforts at home. We will be able to share the impact of our progress locally within our community, with our cluster schools and beyond. We aim to raise awareness of the importance of fostering a love of languages and Europe within school to all. We have begun investigating eTwinning as another option in building global connections but require further investigation to select a suitable project. Increasing modern language learning will assist our young people cognitively and give them the ability to compete in today's world. In turn this will benefit the UK economically. There are endless reasons why modern language learning is being encouraged and I for one am delighted to be a part of education during this exciting time.