HC Deb 29 November 1977 vol 940 cc177-8W
61. Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have taken place with Education Ministers in Community countries with a view to encouraging exchanges of teachers so that foreign languages are taught by teachers who have been born and educated in the respective country of that language.

Miss Margaret Jackson

There are already official schemes for the exchange of modern language teachers with Community countries. Details are given in Administrative Memorandum 11/77, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. These schemes apply mainly to teachers of French and German at present, but there have been preliminary discussions about extending them to teachers of Italian.

Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers teaching the foreign languages of Community countries are now in posts in schools in the United Kingdom teaching their respective foreign language at these schools.

Miss Margaret Jackson

Under the official exchange schemes, 82 French teachers and five German teachers will be teaching their own languages in British schools in this academic year. No information is available about teachers from Community countries teaching their own languages in British schools under independent arrangements.

Mr. John H. Osborn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many teachers with qualifications for teaching English are now in teaching posts in Community countries.

Miss Margaret Jackson

Under the official exchange schemes, 81 British teachers will be teaching English in France in this academic year, 15 in Germany and nine in Denmark. In addition, the British Council has appointed nine teachers to teach in Italy and one in Germany. No information is available about British teachers teaching English in Community countries under independent arrangements.

Forward to