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Language Teaching: Secondary Schools

Volume 494: debated on Monday 15 June 2009

20. To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of language teaching in secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. (279179)

Ofstedā€™s languages report published in July 2008 found that a third of schools surveyed showed considerable strengths in languages teaching. Teaching observed was rated satisfactory in a further 50 per cent. of schools. Strengths included thorough planning, a variety of activities and good questioning of students to ensure comprehension. Weaker features included insufficient practice in the language and over-reliance on course books and memorisation of words and phrases.