In the city's schools, nearly a third of students are navigating the complexities of learning English as an extra language, sparking a national conversation.

 

Recent data reveals that 28.8% of students in Glasgow's schools speak English as an additional language (EAL), the highest rate in Scotland. This represents a nearly one-third increase since 2019, raising concerns about the city’s ability to support new arrivals. Out of 71,957 students, 20,717 are EAL learners, prompting the local council to deploy specialist teachers to provide assistance.

 

As a city now labelled "Britain's asylum capital", Glasgow houses more asylum seekers than any other UK local authority, with 3,777 accommodated as of September. Scotland’s lenient homelessness rules are believed to attract refugees from across the UK. Despite these figures, city officials note that not all EAL learners are recent immigrants, citing improved data recording and a decline in new overseas enrolments.

 

Opposition figures criticise the SNP for allegedly failing to integrate immigrant communities, with concerns about the potential impact on education and social cohesion. Tory MSP Stephen Kerr highlights the importance of a shared language for a cohesive society and calls for a reevaluation of integration strategies.

 

In response, Glasgow Council emphasises the positive contributions of linguistic and cultural diversity to the city, highlighting the enrichment these differences bring to school communities. With upcoming data for the 2025-26 academic year expected soon, the issue remains contentious and closely watched.

 

Key Takeaways

• Almost 29% of Glasgow students are EAL learners, sparking concerns.
• Glasgow's status as "Britain's asylum capital" correlates with rising EAL numbers.
• Debate continues over integration strategies and educational impacts.

 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from  The Express 2025-12-02

 

 

 

 

 

Oh come on.

 

As long as they've got British citizenship they are as British as anyone else. So what if they can't speak English or don't share any British values? It's not like we need the school places for indigenous children. 😄

 

Diversity is our greatest strength 3 times. 😶‍🌫️

 

 

Well I see that that Glasgow council loves sarcasm....

 

"in response, Glasgow Council emphasises the positive contributions of linguistic and cultural diversity to the city, highlighting the enrichment these differences bring to school communities"...........

Deport 

I'm sure the Libs of Scotland will be more than happy to "trade white Scottish people for a Chicken Tikka Masala" as Piers Morgan recently boasted he would with his countrymen.  

 

 

I didn't know they spoke English in Scotland.😋

Derailing off-topic grammar posts removed.

Nothing less than what Great Britain deserves.

1 hour ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

I didn't know they spoke English in Scotland.😋

 

I know this is a normal English joke, but, seriously, every time I hear on tv a football side-kick of obvious Scottish extraction (at least once a week), I wonder how many people there are like me who don't understand a blind word he's saying.

 

How about making education compulsory and forcing kids to go to school? Force teachers to teach in English? 

What does it mean if they speak one language at home and another in school? 

That's nothing new, it's the same in many other EU countries, where school requirements are being lowered.
But then again, what else could you expect when you fill Europe with so-called refugees and don't send them back when possible?

And yet it’s the white working class kids who are failing in school.

 

 

21 minutes ago, Purdey said:

How about making education compulsory and forcing kids to go to school? Force teachers to teach in English? 

What does it mean if they speak one language at home and another in school? 

Classes in UK schools are taught in English.

1 hour ago, Peterphuket said:

That's nothing new, it's the same in many other EU countries, where school requirements are being lowered.
But then again, what else could you expect when you fill Europe with so-called refugees and don't send them back when possible?

Or worser, look to this picture from 2016...9 years back!

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

I'm sure the Libs of Scotland will be more than happy to "trade white Scottish people for a Chicken Tikka Masala" as Piers Morgan recently boasted he would with his countrymen.  

 

 

 

Sorry pal, we're talking aboot Glasgow here, proud home of the Balti. You, Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders can stick your wishy washy chicken tikka masala up yer erse.

 

Noo, haud yer wheesht.

10 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Sorry pal, we're talking aboot Glasgow here, proud home of the Balti. You, Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders can stick your wishy washy chicken tikka masala up yer erse.

 

Noo, haud yer wheesht.

I’m a fan of Glaswegian Baltis, but the original home of the Balti in the UK is ‘Adil’s Sparkbrook, Birmingham’.

 

Your advice to Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders, is definitely warranted.

46 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Sorry pal, we're talking aboot Glasgow here, proud home of the Balti. You, Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders can stick your wishy washy chicken tikka masala up yer erse.

 

Noo, haud yer wheesht.

 

I'd stick to the deep fried Mars Bars if I was you, pal. 😃

52 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

 

Sorry pal, we're talking aboot Glasgow here, proud home of the Balti. You, Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders can stick your wishy washy chicken tikka masala up yer erse.

 

Noo, haud yer wheesht.

 

Hmm....  you can't take that crown... Brum is the home of the Balti...  born in Birmingham’s Sparkbrook/Sparkhill area in the late 70's.

 

You lot have fried Mars Bars and Special Brew !!

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And yet it’s the white working class kids who are failing in school.

 

 

Pretty much a broad statement which means absolutely nothing. Try again.

3 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Derailing off-topic grammar posts removed.

You're welcome 🙂

22 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Pretty much a broad statement which means absolutely nothing. Try again.

Well there’s an improvement, you getting the idea of broad generalizations.

 

However:

 

”

What makes this a more complex question is that it isn't explained by the catch-all of poverty. Children from poor Indian, Pakistani, African and Caribbean families do much better, despite similar levels of disadvantage. “

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-27904204

 

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well there’s an improvement, you getting the idea of broad generalizations.

 

However:

 

”

What makes this a more complex question is that it isn't explained by the catch-all of poverty. Children from poor Indian, Pakistani, African and Caribbean families do much better, despite similar levels of disadvantage. “

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/education-27904204

 

It would be silly of me to add an opinion on education of a country I really don't know about or have ever visited.

 

But that doesn't stop you now does it.

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

How about making education compulsory and forcing kids to go to school? Force teachers to teach in English? 

 

Agreed

 

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

What does it mean if they speak one language at home and another in school? 

 

That they will probably be bilingual

I would be happiest if the ENTIRE UK would adopt the Chinese language as compulsory for all school instruction.

 

The Indians don't speak English, anyway.

 

As long as the people of the UK have decided that English culture is no longer worth protecting, then Chinese is my second choice.

 

I like Chinese culture and the Chinese language.

So, definitely, I vote Chinese to replace English in the UK, as the language of instruction, and the langauge of government, and the langauge of everything else in the UK, as well, even for pillow talk.

 

Chinese do pillow talk better, too.

Have you never read the Red Chamber?

 

The guys from HK, now that they are in the USA, are contributing BIG TIME....a true...

Win-Win for everyone.

 

 

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

 

Sorry pal, we're talking aboot Glasgow here, proud home of the Balti. You, Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders can stick your wishy washy chicken tikka masala up yer erse.

 

Noo, haud yer wheesht.

 

Och, laddie. Yer enoof te mak a shep'erd throo doon 'is  krook an' shag 'is fookin' sheep !

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’m a fan of Glaswegian Baltis, but the original home of the Balti in the UK is ‘Adil’s Sparkbrook, Birmingham’.

 

Your advice to Piers and the rest of the foppish, flag wearing wee Englanders, is definitely warranted.

 

Yep, a Brummy Balti is unbeatable - one of the best things I ever ate.

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

It would be silly of me to add an opinion on education of a country I really don't know about or have ever visited.

 

But that doesn't stop you now does it.

It would be even more silly, bordering on crass stupidity, to assume which countries I’ve visited or know.

 

 

28 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It would be even more silly, bordering on crass stupidity, to assume which countries I’ve visited or know.

 

 

 

My Scottish ancestor.

10 hours ago, Purdey said:

How about making education compulsory and forcing kids to go to school? Force teachers to teach in English? 

What does it mean if they speak one language at home and another in school? 

I did not speak English when I started school, neither did most of my classmates ( we were mainly farming folk) We were taught pedantically correct English, some needed to be punished into learning it.

10 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

And yet it’s the white working class kids who are failing in school.

 

Because they are denied the resources to help them. Those resources are diverted to help the immigrants.