To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the merits for students studying English language to be able to compare it with foreign languages. (82755)

The Department is currently in the process of commissioning research which, through case studies, will assess the impact of modern foreign language learning on Key Stage 2 pupils over three years. This will include exploring whether language learning impacts on the attainment levels of other subjects such as English. The research is expected to report in the autumn 2009.