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Europe drives two languages goal | Europe drives two languages goal |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Four in five secondary school students across the EU ought to be learning two European languages by 2020, the European Commission has said. | Four in five secondary school students across the EU ought to be learning two European languages by 2020, the European Commission has said. |
Currently in UK secondary schools, pupils are not obliged to study any modern language past the age of 14. | |
The National Union of Teachers said there were not enough trained language teachers to deliver the EC's proposal. | The National Union of Teachers said there were not enough trained language teachers to deliver the EC's proposal. |
The government's target for England is for at least half of secondary pupils to take a GCSE in one modern language. | |
The proportion of secondary schools able to offer two languages to GCSE level is relatively small - 45%. | The proportion of secondary schools able to offer two languages to GCSE level is relatively small - 45%. |
Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the NUT, said of the EC's proposal: "This is an entirely laudable aim." | Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the NUT, said of the EC's proposal: "This is an entirely laudable aim." |
But she questioned where the trained teachers might come from to achieve it. | But she questioned where the trained teachers might come from to achieve it. |
The document from the European Commission is part of a framework for co-operation in education and training. | The document from the European Commission is part of a framework for co-operation in education and training. |
It sets out how EU member states have been co-operating since 2000 to achieve certain benchmarks in education, including reducing to 10% the proportion of children who leave school prematurely. | It sets out how EU member states have been co-operating since 2000 to achieve certain benchmarks in education, including reducing to 10% the proportion of children who leave school prematurely. |
Decline | Decline |
The EC document says it will discuss with member states proposals for 10 new benchmarks to be achieved by 2020. | The EC document says it will discuss with member states proposals for 10 new benchmarks to be achieved by 2020. |
These include "to teach two foreign languages to at least 80% of children in lower secondary education". | These include "to teach two foreign languages to at least 80% of children in lower secondary education". |
Some European countries such as France divide secondary education into a lower and higher age group, with a lower school for 11 to 14-year-olds. | |
The EC also proposes reducing by 15% the proportion of children aged 15 with low attainment in maths, reading and science and ensure that 90% of children under four are receiving a pre-school education. | The EC also proposes reducing by 15% the proportion of children aged 15 with low attainment in maths, reading and science and ensure that 90% of children under four are receiving a pre-school education. |
Exam entry figures show that languages traditionally studied in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are declining in popularity at GCSE level. | |
In 2008 there were 201,940 GCSE entries for French, 3.6% of the total exam GCSE exam entries, down from 216,718 in 2007. | In 2008 there were 201,940 GCSE entries for French, 3.6% of the total exam GCSE exam entries, down from 216,718 in 2007. |
Budgets | Budgets |
Christine Blower added: "You have to have regard to the background to the debate about learning a foreign language. | Christine Blower added: "You have to have regard to the background to the debate about learning a foreign language. |
"Many children come to school already speaking a second language, which have value in terms of their identity, and this is an under-considered aspect of this debate." | "Many children come to school already speaking a second language, which have value in terms of their identity, and this is an under-considered aspect of this debate." |
She said central government policy on languages had been "all over the place over the last 10 years". | She said central government policy on languages had been "all over the place over the last 10 years". |
"Where schools were under pressure, they cut modern languages departments," she said. | "Where schools were under pressure, they cut modern languages departments," she said. |
"Where are we going to find these language teachers? | "Where are we going to find these language teachers? |
"The absolute worst thing would be to constrain teachers who aren't qualified to teach them." | "The absolute worst thing would be to constrain teachers who aren't qualified to teach them." |
The government's target is that all primary schoolchildren should have the opportunity to learn a language by 2010. | The government's target is that all primary schoolchildren should have the opportunity to learn a language by 2010. |
A spokesperson for the Department of Children, Schools and Families in England said they wanted between 50% and 90% of all secondary school pupils to gain a GCSE in one foreign language. | |
In its response to the communication, the minister for further education, Sion Simon, said the time was "ripe to consider objectives and working methods for 2010 - 2020". | In its response to the communication, the minister for further education, Sion Simon, said the time was "ripe to consider objectives and working methods for 2010 - 2020". |
The European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons described the proposals for new benchmarks as "ambitious". | The European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons described the proposals for new benchmarks as "ambitious". |
The EC document will go on to be scrutinised by the European Council. | The EC document will go on to be scrutinised by the European Council. |
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