British Council response to commentary (The study of science and foreign languages in primary schools) by Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's Chief Inspector
Vicky Gough, Schools Adviser at the British Council, commented:
“Whilst it’s fantastic to see primary schools introducing our youngest learners to the benefits of language learning, it’s clear that languages at this level have not yet reached their full potential. Time pressures, shortages in languages expertise and challenges with transition – as highlighted by Sir Michael Wilshaw in his commentary – mirror some of the findings in this year’s British Council and Education Development Trust ‘Language Trends Survey’ and give us all food for thought on the numerous challenges currently facing language learning in schools.
“That said, it’s important to note that it isn’t all doom and gloom - the Language Trends Survey also highlighted some evidence of increases in resources and staffing for languages at primary school level. This is great progress which should be welcomed and built upon. The reality is that languages are crucial for life and work in an increasingly connected world – let’s do what we can to ensure more of our young people are given the opportunity to acquire these essential skills."
The Language Trends Survey 2015/16 found the following regarding primary-level languages:
Almost half of primary schools (42 per cent) have increased the resources available for languages.
All primary schools surveyed now provide language teaching for their pupils.
Just over one third of primary schools indicate that they now have access to specialist language teaching expertise within their school.
That said, the findings also suggest that the quality and consistency of language provision at primary level is not always seen as providing a worthwhile level of knowledge for pupils to apply to their studies in secondary school.
For more information, contact Kristen McNicoll in the British Council press office via kristen.mcnicoll@britishcouncil.org or on 0207 389 4967
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and build trust between them worldwide.
We work in more than 100 countries and our 8,000 staff – including 2,000 teachers – work with thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every year by teaching English, sharing the arts and delivering education and society programmes.
We are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A core publicly-funded grant provides 16 per cent of our turnover which last year was £973 million. The rest of our revenues are earned from services which customers around the world pay for, such as English classes and taking UK examinations, and also through education and development contracts and from partnerships with public and private organisations. All our work is in pursuit of our charitable purpose and supports prosperity and security for the UK and globally.
For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org. You can also keep in touch with the British Council through http://twitter.com/britishcouncil and http://blog.britishcouncil.org/.