Primary School Languages

The government announced today that it will spend £50m on a new language programme for 7-11 year olds.

Minister for schools Andrew Adonis published the languages framework and said the funding package will go into schools and local authorities for 2006-2008.

The announcement follows a pilot which taught languages to pupils in almost 1400 primary schools across 19 local authorities.

Every LEA have now been set the target of making foreign language teaching available to all 7-11 year olds by 2010.

But an evaluation of the pilot scheme, also published today, said the plans faced a series of "challenges".

Stakeholder Response: ATL

Dr Mary Bousted, ATL general secretary, said: 

“It’s obviously a good idea to teach children foreign languages at primary school, but there are some fundamental questions about time, training and transition that need solutions if the money (£49.5 million) the Government is putting up for foreign language training is not going to be wasted.

“We need answers to the following:

“When are teachers going to fit foreign language teaching into an already over-crowded curriculum?  ATL urges a radical review of the curriculum rather than continued tinkering around the edges.

“Where is the training for teachers that’s needed to underpin effective language training?  Teachers and other staff need the skills and knowledge to teach foreign languages if this money is not to be wasted.

“Will there be co-ordination so that what is taught in primary schools at key stage 2 is a natural first step to what is taught in secondary schools?  Schools need to work together, and any national strategy must be coherent across key stages 2 and 3.”

Stakeholder Response: CILT

Isabella Moore, Director of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, said:

‘This excellent document answers some fundamental questions and provides a reassurance of the Government’s commitment to primary languages. We welcome the flexibility the Framework provides for schools or groups of schools to create their own courses and to teach the languages most suited to their circumstances. Headteachers, local authorities and trainers now have a high quality tool to take forward their planning.

The development of languages in the primary sector is long overdue, and brings us into line with practice in other European countries[1]. At a time when languages are facing such difficulties in the secondary sector, it sends out the crucial message that they are an important part of every child’s education, a normal, natural and valuable part of preparation for life in a globalised society. Research on the use of languages in business contexts[2] shows that the earlier languages are learnt, the more confidence people have in using them. There are huge challenges ahead in making primary languages a reality, but for the benefit of our young people whose lives will be increasingly touched by an international dimension, we should grasp this important opportunity to enrich the curriculum. CILT will be working hard to provide support for this endeavour at all levels.’

Stakeholder Response: NASUWT

Chris Keates, General Secretary of NASUWT, the largest union representing teachers and headteachers throughout the UK, said:

“Targeting this framework at seven to 11-year-olds capitalises on the fact that at that age children are likely to be less inhibited and more enthusiastic about engaging in the process of learning a foreign language. This framework will provide an excellent basis on which secondary schools can build.

“Having the ability to speak a foreign language enriches people’s adult lives and it is important that every opportunity is provided for those who wish to learn a language to do so.

“It will be important for the Government to discuss with NASUWT and other social partners the implementation of the detailed training programme to ensure that there is capacity created for teachers to become involved.”