Scotland mulls the introduction of Polish lessons after Brexit vote

Education secretary John Swinney said he would “look very carefully” at introducing Polish onto the curriculum alongside subjects such as French and German – an idea proposed by a member of the audience at a debate in Edinburgh on the impact of Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

Polish communities in Scotland have already been lobbying the authorities to introduce the language, which is currently taught at a network of community schools.

A small number of Scottish children, attracted by their friends’ language, also participate in these lessons, according to research carried out for the government last year.

Responding to a question from a Polish woman who said it was by far the largest minority language in Scotland and should be taught in schools alongside other more traditional modern languages, Mr Swinney said she had raised “a very serious and significant point”.