§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to strengthen support for foreign language study in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Government attach great importance to the study of modern foreign languages within the school curriculum and beyond. Guidance is that all secondary pupils should pursue the study of a modern European foreign language throughout the four years of586W compulsory secondary education and that increasing numbers should continue their study beyond that. At the same time pilot studies are being undertaken on the teaching of modern languages in the primary school. Employers are increasingly aware of the need for language training to ensure that their staff have the requisite capabilities to trade successfully within the single European market.
To support schools and others in the substantial demands made on them by these developments the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT) and the university of Stirling, with the support of the Scottish Office Education Department, are to establish a Scottish Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.
The centre will be based in the university of Stirling and will commence operations in December this year. Its work will be evaluated after three years. The centre will provide support and material for language teachers in their work and will also aim to supply information and advice to firms about language policy, recruitment and training. The centre will draw on the experience and resources of CILT built up over many years and will also benefit from Stirling University's particular facilities for modern language provision and associated pre-service teacher training.