Learning English for Work or Study

Do I need to be able to speak English before I come to Scotland?

If you are coming to Scotland to live and work, you do not have to be able to speak English before you come. But it will help you to get a job, make friends and do things such as open a bank account. You may find these things take longer otherwise and prove to be difficult unless you have somebody to help you.

Support is available if you arrive with limited English language skills:

• The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) offers a course in English for Speakers of Other Languages, designed for dealing with work, study, community and social situations. It also introduces you to a range of aspects of every day life in Scotland
• You can also ask the Relocation Advisory Service for advice on where to find other sources of English language help.
• All refugees and asylum seekers are eligible for free ESOL provision to improve their English language skills. Organisations such as the Refugee Council, the World University's Refugee Education and Training Advisory Service and the Refugee Advice and Guidance Unit will be able to provide help on this.

Most people in Scotland only speak English, but many (estimated to be around 47%) can speak at least one other language too.

• The most common second language spoken by native English speakers is French
• Gaelic is an officially recognised minority language native to Scotland. You may come across people who speak it, along with English. Gaelic is spoken by 1.4% of the population and is taught in some primary and secondary schools across Scotland. Short courses in Gaelic are available for adults 
• The most common languages spoken by ethnic minorities in Scotland are Urdu, Mandarin and Polish
• In 1998 a Standard Grade examination in Urdu was introduced. Many schools and Further Education colleges offer this as an option. Standard Grades are qualifications obtained in the third or fourth year of high school.
• There are community groups set up by a variety of ethnic minorities that may offer support with language skills. Visit your local community centre or contact your local council to find out about groups in your area

Children in Scotland are taught in English at school (or Gaelic in a very small number of schools).

• Help is available in the form of English as an Additional Language (EAL) support within the school environment
• It is estimated that over 100 languages are spoken by children in Scottish schools, mainly concentrated in Edinburgh and Glasgow. A recent survey conducted by the City of Edinburgh EAL service estimated that around 5% of the children in Edinburgh schools speak more than one language in their daily lives

If you are coming to Scotland as a student then there are services available for English language improvement.

• The HOST organisation offers a friendly welcome, an insight into customs and way of life. They can help with English conversation practice. Contact your international student adviser for information and a HOST application form or email students@hostuk.org
• Many universities offer courses in English as a foreign language for students. For example the University of Edinburgh runs courses in general English, Business, Medical and Legal English and Academic English

There are good employment opportunities for people with multiple language skills.

• Many employers will employ you based on your ability to speak more than one language. This case study about international call centre, Sykes Enterprises in Edinburgh is a good example
• Read more recruitment case studies where Scottish companies benefit from employing international workers

Related Links

• Qualifications in Scotland
• More advice about English for speakers of other languages
• Doing Business in Scotland
• Read about people who have come to do business in Scotland
• Advice from the Relocation Advisory Service
• Scots have their own language. Test your knowledge on Scots or find out more on Scotland.org.