Colleagues will wish to have their say on the compulsory introduction of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, Latin or Ancient Greek at Key Stage 2 by responding to the latest consultation on the issue. This proposal follows the July 2012 consultation which proposed to make languages a compulsory subject at Key Stage 2 in maintained schools from September 2014. The latest consultation now proposes that it will be compulsory to teach only one of these seven languages.
The vast majority of respondents to the earlier consultation agreed with the Government’s intention to introduce foreign languages at Key Stage 2. The majority favoured the teaching of only a minority of languages. French, Spanish and German were the most popular choices for primary schools, followed by a smaller proportion for Italian and Mandarin. The main reasons given for these choices were staff expertise, previous knowledge and training in the language and that it was the language taught in their local secondary schools. Of the 118 responses to the question on language choice, only 8 per cent were in favour of teaching community languages. However 19 per cent of respondents believed that a multi-language model, which gave pupils a love and understanding of languages more generally, would be a better start for young children. This model could widen their outlook and avoid problems that could arise from focusing on a single language throughout Key Stage 2. Although respondents recognised secondary schools’ desire for consistency in language learning, they were of the opinion that being taught generic language learning skills, which are transferrable to language learning at secondary school, was more important.
The government has considered the proposals and has confirmed its intentions to make the study of a foreign language compulsory at Key Stage 2 from 2014. It is now consulting on the proposal that primary schools should teach one or more of French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish or a classical language (Latin or Ancient Greek) to pupils at Key Stage 2.
Whislt the consultation notes that schools 'would, of course, be free to teach other languages in addition if they wish to do so', it is disappointing to see languages such as Latin or Ancient Greek being given preference over world and community languages such as Urdu or Portuguese. The rationale provided for this is that:
By requiring primary schools to teach one or more of these languages, this proposal would prevent any potential proliferation of very low take-up languages, and would focus schools’ attention on a sample of important languages that, each in their own right, would give a good grounding for further languages study. The proposed choice broadly reflects the languages that primary schools already teach at Key Stage 2, thereby capitalising on these strengths; but does not restrict schools to European and modern languages. Instead, it opens up the possibility of Mandarin for instance, which is widely considered to be important for the future of our country; and classical languages, which can give a good grounding in the grammar and other features of a number of modern languages.
The consultation closes on 16th December 2012. You can download the previous consultation responses and relevant documents from here
