Polish-English Bilingual Language Provisions in Scotland: Understanding Classroom Teacher’s Perspectives on Implementation

This paper aimed to understand the perceptions of Scottish primary school teachers working in an area with an above (national) average number of Polish-speaking children regarding a bilingual Polish-English programme. Through qualitative data (semi-structured interviews and open-ended surveys), research discovered that teachers regarded the programme positively, highlighting improved student experience and greater inclusion as the main benefits and opportunities of the programme. Teachers did, however, raise concerns about whether the programme would be suitable for all learners, adding potential challenges, such as negative attitudes towards the Polish language and the practical implementation of the programme. Teachers were also concerned that the programme could increase what they felt was an already demanding workload.