§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he intends to publish for consultation the draft order with attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have today published for consultation a draft order with an associated document setting out attainment targets and programmes of study for modern foreign languages in the national curriculum for pupils aged 11 to 16, as I am required to do by section 20(5) of the Education Reform Act 1988. Copies have been placed in the Library.
The draft order has been prepared following advice to me from the National Curriculum Council, in the light of its consultations on the proposals made by the former holder of my office and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. I am most grateful to the council for its advice.
I have accepted the council's recommendations for attainment targets and programmes of study as a basis for further consultation. The National Curriculum Council has recommended a reduction in the total number of statements of attainment from 144 to 102. I have accepted this change and believe that it will be helpful in reducing the assessment load on teachers. I have however, made a few minor changes of wording, particularly to the non-statutory examples.
The draft order for modern foreign languages sets out a range of essential language competences; concentrates on the ability of pupils to use foreign languages effectively for communication; highlights the importance of cultural awareness as an integral part of language learning and ensures that all pupils will receive a stimulating and worthwhile challenge in order to raise standards and stretch even the most able learners at the upper levels of attainment.
The period for consultation on the draft order will end on 4 October 1991. I intend to make the final order in November 1991 in good time for schools to begin teaching national curriculum modern foreign languages to pupils aged 11 from the following autumn.
I have also accepted the national curriculum council's recommendation that the format of the order made under section 3(2)(b) of the Education Reform Act be amended from two schedules to a single list of specified languages. I intend to make a new section 3 order at the same time as the final order in November 1991.