HC Deb 20 April 1967 vol 745 cc775-7
2. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made in establishing a special centre for advice and aid in the teaching of English as a second language to immigrant children and special courses for this purpose in selected training colleges.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Denis Howell)

A centre for Information on Language Teaching was established last autumn at Holborn. It has financial support from the Department, the Scottish Education Department and the Ministry of Education, Northern Ireland. The Centre collects, co-ordinates and disseminates information on all aspects of the teaching of modern languages, including the teaching of English as a second language to immigrant children. The Department is also sponsoring one term and short courses of further training to help teachers in teaching immigrant children.

In addition, the Schools Council has established a team at Leeds University—to be followed by another at Birmingham—who will develop new material in English for the use of teachers of immigrant children. These are national projects and the materials will be thoroughly tried out in schools all over the country.

Sir G. Sinclair

While welcoming that clear and encouraging statement, I ask the hon. Gentleman to put a real effort behind the successful experiment already developed around Huddersfield, so that the maximum number of immigrant children and teachers can benefit from the successful experience from which we now have an opportunity of learning.

Mr. Howell

I am very sympathetic to the suggestions in that supplementary question and, indeed, my tours of the country to discuss this on the spot with local education authorities lead me to conclude that we are tackling this matter efficiently and rather well throughout the country.

Sir E. Boyle

In view of that helpful reply, can the hon. Gentleman tell us how many local authorities he is hoping to visit on this subject? Is he aware that many of us would gladly give him leave of absence from the because of the great importance of the subject?

Mr. Howell

I am delighted and will convey those sentiments to my right hon. Friend the Chief Whip.

3. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what encouragement he is giving to local education authorities to set up special English departments, on the lines pioneered at Spring Grove School, Huddersfield, details of which have been sent to him, to serve schools in urban areas of dense immigrant settlement.

Mr. Denis Howell

We are prepared to increase the teacher quotas and to consider requests for additional minor building projects for this purpose and the Department and Her Majesty's Inspectors are at all times ready to discuss with local education authorities how the arrangements for teaching English to immigrant children in their area might be improved. Claims may also be submitted under the Local Government Act, 1966, for grant towards the salaries of certain additional staff employed to deal with the special needs of immigrant children.

Sir G. Sinclair

What progress has been made on the ground in helping local authorities to set up these special English departments in the main areas affected?

Mr. Howell

I can let the hon. Gentleman have detailed information. We are giving grants towards buildings as well as towards the cost of additional teachers on the quota. We are helping in a very practical way.