Languages boost

The East of Scotland European Consortium is right (your report, 20 February) to warn that Scotland will be at an economic disadvantage if its people cannot use foreign languages (FL), but wrong to call for better primary level FL provision.

Rather, we should strengthen secondary level provision and make FL learning more attractive.

We should focus more on the written word and include the study of culture and history; encourage language teachers to alternate between teaching English abroad and FL in Scotland make degrees and qualifications dependent upon proof of FL competence; require schools to teach languages needed by companies; use the FL competence of ethnic communities in Scotland; use twinning arrangements to promote student and teacher exchanges; and support foreign country societies such as the Scotland-Russia Institute.

DAVID R HILL

Relugas Road

Edinburgh