Primary school kids to learn modern languages
| Published: 15th March 2007 22:19 |
Primary school kids to learn modern languages
The government has unveiled plans for modern foreign languages to be made compulsory in primary schools across the country.
Schoolchildren will therefore be learning modern languages between the ages of seven and 14, under the new plans, which follow a review headed up by Lord Dearing.
The number of pupils taking modern languages at GCSE has fallen sharply since they were allowed to opt out of them in 2004.
But the report by Lord Dearing stressed the importance of modern languages from a young age.
Commenting, education secretary Alan Johnson said: "The earlier you start learning a language the better. Making language study compulsory from seven to 14 will give pupils seven years to build up their knowledge, confidence and experience."
Mr Johnson added that the UK will "embark on a renaissance in languages in schools and beyond".
Lord Dearing told the Today programme: "What I hear from primary schools is that the children enjoy it and the teachers enjoy it because the kids are enjoying it.
"And there the approach is quite distinctive; they integrate it with other learning and I'm looking forward to going to a primary school this morning and seeing that happening."
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