The National Languages StrategyEnglandLisbon,November 2006Languages for alleducationandskills6Languages forlifecreatingopportunity.releasingpotentiat,achievingexcellence
The National Languages Strategy England Lisbon, November 2006
Adifferent context,a different focusEnglish:the language of international communicationTherefore different issues concerning the nationallanguageProblems of monoglots ina multilingual worldAstrategyforforeign languages needed
A different context, a different focus English: the language of international communication Therefore different issues concerning the national language Problems of monoglots in a multilingual world A strategy for foreign languages needed
National Strategies in EnglandBegan withLiteracy and Numeracyin primary schools(mid-1990s)Nowinsecondaryschools tooOtherareas ofthecurriculumnowcoveredEachstrategyhasa Frameworkof objectivesDeveloped through pilots withindependent evaluationDisseminatedthroughnetworks
National Strategies in England • Began with Literacy and Numeracy in primary schools (mid-1990s) • Now in secondary schools too • Other areas of the curriculum now covered • Each strategy has a Framework of objectives • Developed through pilots with independent evaluation • Disseminated through networks
National StrategyforLanguagesOperates on similarprinciples tootherstrategiesHasitsownFrameworksCovers all ages and stages of education andtrainingschools,further,adult and university education(includingteachertraining)
National Strategy for Languages • Operates on similar principles to other strategies • Has its own Frameworks • Covers all ages and stages of education and training: schools, further, adult and university education (including teacher training)
Foreign languages in England:someproblems(schools)Motivation:English as a lingua franca =“English isenough!'Standards often too low (particularly in speaking skills)Time allocation often insufficient:partly accounts forlowstandardsBoys achieve less than girls;less likely toopt for MFLTake-up of the second MFL usually lowMany opt out of MFLat the age of 16
Foreign languages in England: some problems (schools) • Motivation: English as a lingua franca = ‘English is enough!’ • Standards often too low (particularly in speaking skills) • Time allocation often insufficient: partly accounts for low standards • Boys achieve less than girls; less likely to opt for MFL • Take-up of the second MFL usually low • Many opt out of MFL at the age of 16