Children who have fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been learning the lingo in Millport thanks to one-on-one tuition to boost their language skills.

There are eight Ukrainian pupils on Cumbrae, including sisters Milana (10) and Polina (9), and they are all receiving English classes which are helping to transform their lives as they settle into island life.

Pupils who come from places including Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria are being helped to integrate thanks to the council's English as an Additional Language (EAL) service.

Milana, who is a P6 pupil at Cumbrae Primary, said: “I like my English classes because I like to read, play and speak. 

"Outside of school I like to have dance classes, play football, go to Church and go to Brownies. And inside school I like to play football and hide-and-seek and other things.” 

Victoria Douglas, who teaches English as an Additional Language (EAL), gives pupils one-to-one sessions to help improve their reading, writing and vocabulary and also supports their class teachers.

Victoria said: “The lessons in English are really important, particularly for children newly arrived in Scotland. It enables them to access the curriculum and make friends. 

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Smiles better - Milana and Polina are loving life in Millport and getting up to speed with local languageSmiles better - Milana and Polina are loving life in Millport and getting up to speed with local language (Image: North Ayrshire Council)
“Children come to us with a different range of backgrounds and levels of English, so we get into schools as soon as possible to try and assess their levels of English and support them and their class teachers to make sure that they can make progress, and feel happy and included in all the lessons at school. 

“It’s really important for schools to respect the rights of children and, obviously, all of them do and we support them in doing that. 

“It means children can access education - every child has the right to a good education - and also that they can play, which is really important. They have the right to play, make friends and be happy.”

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Cumbrae Primary - Polina, Victoria and MilanaCumbrae Primary - Polina, Victoria and Milana (Image: NAC)
Councillor Shaun Macaulay, North Ayrshire Council's cabinet member for education and young people, added: “It is wonderful to see, through our EAL team, that children from different countries are being encouraged to thrive and learn.

“It is crucial that everyone realises that we all have a part to play in protecting the rights of our children and helping them live happy, fulfilled lives here in North Ayrshire."