HC Deb 18 July 2000 vol 354 cc127-8W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to increase the teaching of a second language in primary and junior schools. [130286]

Jacqui Smith

Around a quarter of all primary schools already offer a second language. The revised National Curriculum, published last November, contains guidance for teaching 7 to 11-year olds, covering skills, knowledge and understanding. It also contains suggested attainment targets. Furthermore, we have published a Scheme of Work for French aimed at this age group, and will add German and Spanish later this month.

We are piloting approaches to extending language teaching in primary schools, through our Early Language Learning initiative, in which we are gathering good practice and providing classroom materials and a draft curriculum framework. We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) to consider the potential to extend this further in the longer term.