Early language skills needed

CHILDREN should learn foreign languages at an earlier age, according to Lothians SNP MSP Ian McKee.

During a debate at Holyrood on the Curriculum for Excellence, he called on the Scottish Government to increase the take-up of modern languages by introducing them at an earlier stage in the curriculum.

He said: "We need to get pupils learning languages sooner. It's too late by primary six. If Scotland is to compete globally it needs the language skills to succeed."