Languages: Education

Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of teaching foreign languages to age (a) seven, (b) 10 and (c) 14-years-olds.

Jim Knight
The Department has commissioned two pieces of research into language teaching and learning at key stage 2 (7 to 11). The first is looking at the national implementation of primary languages and the other at the impact the teaching of languages has on attainment across the primary curriculum. The first headline findings will be published in July 2007. We have also developed a two year training programme to increase the quality and consistency of language teaching at key stage 3, and have commissioned a two year research project into the provision and practice of language learning at key stage 3. The Dearing Review of languages, published on 12 March, recommended improving teaching through a range of CPD. We are currently considering how to implement his recommendations.