§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when modern foreign language teaching is to be excluded from the compulsory curriculum for those aged 14. [62463]
§ Mr. Ivan Lewis[holding answer 18 June 2002]: This is a proposal in the Green Paper "14–19: extending opportunities, raising standards". Consultation closed only on 31 May 2002 and we are reflecting carefully on the views expressed during consultation before reaching our decision. We have indicated in the Green Paper that curriculum changes would be subject to further consultation before their introduction.
Our proposals seek a balance between the need to offer pupils greater choice, and the importance of foreign languages. We propose a statutory entitlement to them in all schools. We have also expressed our aspirations to boost language learning in primary schools.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the Government intend to encourage the integration of language learning within modern apprenticeship frameworks as stated in the Green Paper "14–19: extending opportunities, raising standards", with reference to the availability of an optional foreign language. [62464]
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§ Mr. Ivan Lewis[holding answer 18 June 2002]: Languages are already an option as part of a modern apprenticeship and can be included in the young person's training plan where they are deemed necessary or desirable, if the employer agrees.
We are in discussion with the LSC to establish how opportunities to develop language skills might be better signposted to employers and learners so that they are more easily integrated into learning programmes.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research into the study of languages and the benefits of studying a foreign language is being undertaken by her Department. [62465]
§ Mr. Ivan Lewis[holding answer 18 June 2002]: We have considered the findings of recent research including the final report of the Nuffield Languages Inquiry (2000); the University of Warwick, Centre for Language Teacher Education (CELTE) report on the analysis and evaluation for teaching of modern foreign languages at Key Stage 2 in England, (2000) and the European Commission's survey of the languages spoken in the EU 'Eurobarometer 54', (2001).
These reports have informed our aspirations for the future of teaching and learning languages outlined in our `Language Learning' pamphlet and the discussions of the Languages National Steering Group. Our long term national language strategy, which we plan to publish in the autumn, will contain our proposals to widen the opportunities for language learning.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if her Department intends to provide peripatetic language(a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers. [62518]
§ Mr. Ivan Lewis[holding answer 18 June 2002]: We are examining the overall issue of teacher supply to deliver our language learning aspirations set out in our recently published 'Language Learning' pamphlet. The use of peripatetic language teachers is one of the options we are considering. Our national languages strategy, which we plan to publish in the autumn, will outline our intentions.