Parliamo Italiano at Woodhill

It was chosen as the venue for a meeting of local head teachers with a group of Italian teachers who are currently visiting schools across Europe to look at the different ways in which modern languages are taught across the continent.

They had just visited schools in Norway before arriving in East Dunbartonshire, where they saw language teaching practice in action in Bishopbriggs and Auchinairn.

The visitors are from the Istituto Compenivo Assisi 3 in Perugia Italy and their trip has been funded through the Erasmus+ programme.

Erasmus+ is the EU’s new programme in the field of education, training, youth and sport for 2014 – 2020.

It aims to strengthen links to other areas of EU policy and funding, especially in the area of culture, employment, research, innovation and enterprise, and cohesion.

Education convener Councillor Maureen Henry, who with several head teachers met the Italian guests on the first day of their visit, said: “Not only have our visitors been learning about how we deliver modern languages education but our teachers are also benefiting from learning about teaching practices in Italy.

“We are very proud of the very high standards of education delivered in East Dunbartonshire and the outcomes we achieve at both our primary and secondary schools.

“It is always a great pleasure to receive visitors and share with them some of our successes and best practices.”