§ 27. Lieut-Colonel J. K. Cordeauxasked the Minister of Education if he will consider including the teaching of modern languages in the curriculum of primary education.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)I welcome the experiments that are being made in primary schools and I am encouraging developments of this kind where suitable teachers are available.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CordeauxWill my hon. Friend agree that our lack of ability to speak foreign languages, compared with the ability of people in most other countries, is a most serious handicap in the export drive? Would he also agree that —at any rate as far as speech as opposed to writing is concerned—the earlier one starts to learn a foreign language the better, and will he do all in his power to encourage the present experiments?
§ Sir D. EcclesIn general, I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend, but I have no control over the curriculum. It is clear that the prospect of entry into the Common Market is stimulating foreign language studies and teaching.