To widespread astonishment, the government has announced proposals to make foreign languages an optional subject for pupils in England after the age of 14. At the same time, the rest of Europe is ramping up requirements for its citizens to learn more languages in schools. Do they know something our government does not?
Reproduced with kind permission from the THES

Influential figures from many walks of life discussed why languages matter at a symposium hosted by the English-Speaking Union and the Nuffield Languages Programme on 6 March in London. Baroness Ashton presented the government's ambitions for languages and speakers included Lord Watson, Sir Trevor McDonald and HE the Ambassador for France.

The Nuffield Languages team believes that the Government's proposal to
reduce statutory language learning to three years is a retrograde step,
incompatible with a vision of a world-class education system.

Funding is available over 18 months for projects which will translate the Inquiry's recommendations into action and enhance opportunities to learn languages.

While French and other European students need no encouragement to enrol for courses in British universities, and come here in large numbers, their British counterparts are inclined to stay at home. Why this imbalance?

A pilot scheme to teach foreign languages in primary schools using the resources of specialist language colleges has been launched by the Ambassadors of France, Germany and Spain.

University of Westminster debate highlights the need to "change the whole climate" and attitudes towards language learning in the UK.

The Trustees of the Nuffield Foundation have allocated half a million pounds to support the development of languages in the UK.

Europeans and Languages, the latest Eurobarometer survey, reports that 93% of Europeans think it is important that their children learn other languages.

On 8 May, the DfEE, on behalf of the Government, announced the establishment of a national Languages Steering Group. This follows on from their formal response to the Inquiry's final report at the beginning of the year.

The Nuffield Languages Inquiry Final Report attracted remarkable interest and marked a change in public attitudes towards languages.