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CASH BOOST FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING IN SCHOOLS
19 December 2007Schools will be urged to work together more closely to better support pupils to continue learning languages as they move from primary to secondary, Schools Minister Jim Knight said today. His call comes alongside the announcement of £53million investment in language teaching over next year. Today’s record level of funding will drive forward the latest phase in the programme of action to revolutionise language learning which came out of Lord Dearing’s review published in March 2007.It includes £35 million for primary schools ahead of languages becoming a compulsory part of the curriculum for 7-11 year olds in 2010, as well as increased training and support for secondary teachers. Visiting Surrey Square Junior School in Southwark, Jim Knight today said:“In the Children’s Plan last week the Government set out its vision to ensure we give all children the potential to succeed and go as far as their talents take them. “We know ‘one size fits all’ compulsory French or German GCSE study simply does not motivate pupils – a view taken strongly by Lord Dearing, teachers, employers and trade unions. “By continuing to invest in more long term solutions, such as better trained teachers and more innovative resources, we will generate enthusiasm and confidence for studying languages in secondary school and beyond - far more effective than simple compulsion.“Languages have many practical applications, and we know from employers that our young people must be equipped in language skills to compete in the global economy. Developing a love for languages is a lifetime asset that broadens your horizons – benefits I want all primary school children to have.”Lord Dearing said:“'I invite all head teachers to see this announcement as an opportunity: in primary schools to press ahead with languages with the confidence that increased funding is secure for a further 3 years; in secondary schools, to make a reality of a policy of 'languages for all', backed by new curriculum options and a more lively curriculum for the GCSE.
“I am delighted the Open Schools for Languages is going ahead: we proposed this as a support for teaching and one that plays to the interests of today's pupils.' The funding includes:• £35 million in 2008/09 to transform language teaching in primary schools, including investment in specialist teachers, training and teaching resources as well as joint working between schools to support transition between primary and secondary level. This represents an increase of £5million on funding levels for this year; The remaining funding will be used to support ongoing work to revitalise the secondary curriculum so it is more engaging and relevant for today’s pupils, including:• More than £3 million over three years to support partnership working between Higher Education Institutions and schools. Through initiatives such as intensive languages tuition and using university level languages students as ambassadors, the project’s aim is to support language uptake at Key Stage 4; • £3 million for the first year of a three year development programme to create an innovative online language resource for secondary pupils (the Open School for languages);• More than £1million for networks of secondary schools to share best teaching and learning practices at Key Stage 3; and• A £2 million communications campaign to promote the benefits of learning languages to pupils, teachers and parents.The remaining cash will be used to implement other recommendations from Lord Dearing’s review, including a new scheme to allow good teachers to share their skills with others and support for international experiences for pupils. We are also increasing the use of the Languages Ladder to recognise pupils' achievement from primary into secondary schools. Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The Dearing Review was published on 12 March 2007 and can be found at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingandlearning/subjects/languages/languagesreview 2. The Children’s Plan can be found at
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0242
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