HC Deb 06 December 1926 vol 200 c1658
43. Sir H. BRITTAIN

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in the teaching of foreign languages in the State-aided schools, a proportion of the time is devoted to the study of the spoken as against the written language; and whether a conversation test is part of the first schools examination pass?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Lord Eustace Percy)

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave him on 30th November last. As regards the second part, a conversational test is always provided, though it is not always a compulsory part of the examination in the subject.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Order Paper, which is not answered in the question to which he refers, as to the proportion of time devoted to the study of the spoken against the written language?

Lord E. PERCY

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will realise that the proportion of time given to reading and speaking varies with every teacher in every School.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

May I ask for something like a rough estimate?

Lord E. PERCY

The only estimate I could give would be so rough as to be of no service.

Sir HENRY CRAIK

Is it not absolutely necessary that freedom should be left to the teachers?