HL Deb 17 July 2001 vol 626 cc116-7WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their plans to promote the more widespread teaching of French and German to pupils in primary and secondary schools. [HL245]

The parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

It is not our policy to promote specific languages, although French and German remain the most popular subjects for study in secondary schools. All pupils in England have a statutory entitlement to learn at least one foreign language from the age of 11. The national curriculum requires schools to offer at least one of the working languages of the European Union, which, of course, include French and German.

We do not have a statutory curriculum for modern foreign languages at primary age but primary schools can offer languages as a voluntary option and French is the most popular choice. We are already doing a great deal to support language teaching in primary schools. The national curriculum contains guidance for teaching seven to 11 year olds, and we have published a scheme of work for primary French and further materials for primary German and Spanish. We recently announced further funding of over £200,000 for Early Language Learning initiative, through which we are piloting approaches to extend language teaching in primary schools, gathering good practice and developing classroom materials. We will be building on existing links between primary schools and specialist language colleges. The increasing number of specialist colleges and the developing focus on their roles as hubs of excellence will enhance opportunities for primary schools to access language expertise.