Select Committee on European Scrutiny Nineteenth Report


7 Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity

(24012)

14410/02

SEC(02) 1234

Commission Staff Working Paper: Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity — Consultation.

Legal base
DepartmentEducation and Skills
Basis of considerationMinister's letter of 14 April 2003
Previous Committee ReportHC 63-vi (2002-03), paragraph 7 (8 January 2003)
To be discussed in CouncilNot applicable
Committee's assessmentPolitically important
Committee's decisionCleared (decision reported on 8 January 2003)

Background

When we cleared this document in January, we asked to see a copy of the Government's response to the consultation paper, since the Explanatory Memorandum said little about its view of the issues.

The response gave us a much clearer picture of the Government's position. However, it still left us unsure about how the planned entitlement for all pupils aged 7-11 to study at least one foreign language would enable the UK to meet the target set at the Barcelona European Council of "teaching at least two foreign languages from a very early age". (That target contributes to the Union's objective that every citizen should speak two languages in addition to his or her mother tongue.) We therefore asked for an explanation of how the Government intended to meet the target.

The Minister's letter

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Baroness Ashton) has responded, as she has ministerial responsibility for languages in schools. She tells us:

"The Barcelona goal of 'mother tongue +2' languages is not time-limited, and we do not expect all Member States of the EU to achieve it within the same time scale, or to make equal progress towards meeting it. Like our own Languages Strategy, it is a long term aim, and in meeting it we will be concentrating on building teaching capacity over the coming years and enabling schools to introduce early language learning at a pace which is right for them.

"We believe that our Strategy is the first step towards fulfilling the Barcelona conclusion. It is about creating the environment and building the motivation to learn languages. Through delivering the primary entitlement to language learning, some schools may decide to offer more than one language to pupils at [Key Stage] 2. We are already seeing examples where primary schools offer one main language, or one or two main languages and additional 'taster' sessions in other languages."

The Minister then reports on the Government's plans to encourage a wide range of individuals to contribute to language teaching and learning. Finally, she comments:

"Whilst we recognise the Barcelona conclusions, we cannot move to this position overnight. As the Strategy is implemented, we will consider how we are measuring up against the Barcelona goal and what further steps we might need to take."

Conclusion

We thank the Minister for her response. Although we agree that the "Barcelona position" cannot be achieved overnight, the Government seems to be embarking on a particularly lengthy journey towards it. And it is discouraging to learn that Member States are not expected to make equal progress towards meeting the goal. This is certainly not likely to be a contest in which the UK is among the front runners.

We have already cleared the document.


 
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