Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) promotes high-quality language learning and a climate that celebrates all languages. Based in the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde, SCILT is charged with much of the implementation of the Scottish government’s 1+2 languages policy whereby pupils learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue. 
Like QFI, SCILT believes that languages are an integral and important component of a 21st-century curriculum that develops an international mind-set, fosters skills that underpin global citizenship, and encourages tolerance and an inclusive attitude among children and young people.
QFI has partnered with SCILT to support the learning of the Arabic language and culture in Scotland’s schools. In the initial stage of the project, Arabic will be introduced to 20 schools across Scotland from September 2020.
Two courses have been specially developed to meet the needs of young learners in Scotland: a course for primary school pupils containing 20 hours of classroom learning, and one for secondary with 36 hours. The teaching will be delivered virtually on a platform developed by e-Sgoil, Scotland’s national remote learning and teaching service, working from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
