The National Languages Strategy overview

The National Languages Strategy for England no longer exists, a victim of the cuts. Dr Lid King has just published an overview of the strategy from 2003-2011. His report is a mixed one and features worrying facts about the state of languages in England. He notes, for example, that we now have fewer A-level linguists than we did in the 1960's after a relative boom period in the 1990's. He also reminds us that the progress achieved in primary schools is fragile and, without dedicated funding, may not survive. Dr King is now Director of The Languages Company which was set up in 2008. He was previously Director of CILT, a recent victim of the cuts.

His report makes interesting yet slightly depressing reading, and not just for languages teachers. The E Bacc may mark something of a renaissance for modern languages post 14. We shall have to see. Michael Gove has talked a good game about languages so far, but all he has achieved is to cut much of the funding which has built up capability over the last few years.

http://www.languagescompany.com/images/stories/docs/news/national_language_strategy.pdf

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Language Teacher Toolkit: Steve Smith's blog

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