S3 Pupils' Career Aspirations and Views on Language Learning

In May 2005, the Scottish Centre for Language Teaching and Research (SCILT) undertook a government-funded nationwide survey of approximately 1500 pupils in the S3 cohort of Scottish secondary schools. Pupils in 47 randomly selected Scottish secondary schools completed a questionnaire that explored their career aspirations and how these related to their views on language learning. The responses of S3 pupils are significant because the government's educational policy A Curriculum for Excellence is proposing to give pupils in this year group the opportunity to have a greater say in their subject choices. The findings provide useful indicators for government officials, head teachers, careers advisers and language teachers in Scottish secondary schools

Cross-sector collaborative activities to promote modern languages in Scotland

The study was commissioned by The Higher Education Academy Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS). It replicates the study by Davis (2006) on cross-sector activities to promote the study of modern languages in England and Wales, within the Scottish context. The overall aim of the current investigation was to identify and encourage sharing of good practice in cross-sector collaboration in Scottish schools, universities and FE colleges

Internationalisation and modern languages in Scottish Further and Higher Education

This scoping study investigated the impact of internationalisation strategies on modern language provision in Scottish further and higher education and was commissioned by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies. It follows on from the report by Footitt (2005), which explored issues of internationalisation and modern languages in England. The present investigation had the following aims: to identify the main policy documents related to internationalisation strategies and modern languages in Scottish further and higher education and explore to which extent internationalisation initiatives support or encourage the development of students' language and to explore the explicit and implicit messages given by institutional websites about international student support and about modern language study; to explore the views of selected stakeholders in Scottish further and higher education with regard to internationalisation strategies and in what ways international activities at selected institutions offer opportunities for language learning

Partners in Excellence : Evaluation Report

This is the final report on the 'Partners in Excellence' initiative, which was funded by the Scottish government, and aimed at increasing motivation for language learning in the upper secondary school, using a variety of stimulants including the use of new technologies. The evaluation draws together the findings from four previous interim reviews, focussing on student and teacher perceptions of the Partners in Excellence initiative

Gaelic Learners in the Primary School (GLPS) in Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross and Stirling : Evaluation Report

For many years individual primary school teachers have no doubt sought to provide their pupils with a brief initial introduction to Gaelic language and culture. However, as a planned, systematic policy development across schools, backed by local authority and national support, GLPS (Gaelic learners in the primary school) has only come into being in the past three years. Thus far it has been taken up in a small number of local authorities, including the five which have commissioned the present evaluation (Argyll & Bute, East Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Perth & Kinross, Stirling), but it is attracting interest in a number of others

Barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in adults living with and beyond cancer, with special emphasis on head and neck cancer: a systematic review of qualitative and mixed methods studies

Abstract Purpose Physical activity can improve health outcomes for cancer patients; however, only 30% of patients are physically active. This review explored barriers to and facilitators of physical activity promotion and participation in patients living with and beyond cancer. Secondary aims were to (1) explore similarities and differences in barriers and facilitators experienced in head and neck cancer versus other cancers, and (2) identify how many studies considered the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on physical activity behaviour. Methods CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane (CDSR) were searched for qualitative and mixed methods evidence. Quality assessment was conducted using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and a Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Tool. Thematic synthesis and frequency of reporting were conducted, and results were structured using the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour model and Theoretical Domains Framework. Results Thirty qualitative and six mixed methods studies were included. Socioeconomic characteristics were not frequently assessed across the included studies. Barriers included side effects and comorbidities (physical capability; skills) and lack of knowledge (psychological capability; knowledge). Having a dry mouth or throat and choking concerns were reported in head and neck cancer, but not across other cancers. Facilitators included improving education (psychological capability; knowledge) on the benefits and safety of physical activity. Conclusion Educating patients and healthcare professionals on the benefits and safety of physical activity may facilitate promotion, uptakeand adherence. Head and neck cancer patients experienced barriers not cited across other cancers, and research exploring physical activity promotion in this patient group is required to improve physical activity engagement. </jats:sec

Risk factors for situs defects and congenital heart disease in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is associated with abnormal organ positioning (situs) and congenital heart disease (CHD). This study investigated genotype–phenotype associations in PCD to facilitate risk predictions for cardiac and laterality defects. This retrospective cohort study of 389 UK patients with PCD found 51% had abnormal situs and 25% had CHD and/or laterality defects other than situs inversus totalis. Patients with biallelic mutations in a subset of nine PCD genes had normal situs. Patients with consanguineous parents had higher odds of situs abnormalities than patients with non-consanguineous parents. Patients with abnormal situs had higher odds of CHD and/or laterality defects