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Seven-year-olds to take languages Seven-year-olds to take languages
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Modern foreign language lessons are to be compulsory for the first time in England's primary schools.Modern foreign language lessons are to be compulsory for the first time in England's primary schools.
Education Secretary Alan Johnson backs the recommendation of a review by Lord Dearing, that all children should learn a language from the age of seven.Education Secretary Alan Johnson backs the recommendation of a review by Lord Dearing, that all children should learn a language from the age of seven.
This should happen by 2010, as part of the next curriculum overhaul.This should happen by 2010, as part of the next curriculum overhaul.
But there is no move to reverse the decision to make languages optional beyond 14 - despite a sharp fall in the number of pupils taking GCSEs. There is no immediate move to reverse the decision to make languages optional beyond 14 - despite a sharp fall in the number of pupils taking GCSEs.
In 2004, pupils were allowed to drop languages in Key Stage 4, the two GCSE years.In 2004, pupils were allowed to drop languages in Key Stage 4, the two GCSE years.
Ministers said they were bowing to the subject's unpopularity.Ministers said they were bowing to the subject's unpopularity.
Since then the numbers taking a GCSE qualification have fallen from about three quarters of the age group to half, with the biggest decline being in state comprehensives.Since then the numbers taking a GCSE qualification have fallen from about three quarters of the age group to half, with the biggest decline being in state comprehensives.
Cross-curricularCross-curricular
In response, ministers commissioned a review from Lord Dearing.In response, ministers commissioned a review from Lord Dearing.
We need to demonstrate languages are both a useful skill and something to enjoy if we are to have better motivated learners Alan JohnsonEducation Secretary His report says languages should be compulsory from seven to 14.We need to demonstrate languages are both a useful skill and something to enjoy if we are to have better motivated learners Alan JohnsonEducation Secretary His report says languages should be compulsory from seven to 14.
There should be a three-year "blueprint" of fresh measures aimed at bringing about a renaissance in secondary language learning.There should be a three-year "blueprint" of fresh measures aimed at bringing about a renaissance in secondary language learning.
These include a web-based "Open School for Languages", more "engaging" courses and further training for teachers.These include a web-based "Open School for Languages", more "engaging" courses and further training for teachers.
An annual budget of £50m should underpin the teaching, the report said.An annual budget of £50m should underpin the teaching, the report said.
'Critical mass''Critical mass'
"I want languages to be at the heart of learning," Mr Johnson said."I want languages to be at the heart of learning," Mr Johnson said.
"That's why I accept Lord Dearing's recommendation that we look to fully embed languages in the primary curriculum when it is next reviewed.
"The earlier you start learning a language the better. Making language study compulsory from 7 to 14 will give pupils seven years to build up their knowledge, confidence and experience.""The earlier you start learning a language the better. Making language study compulsory from 7 to 14 will give pupils seven years to build up their knowledge, confidence and experience."
HAVE YOUR SAY At my children's school they are taught basic French from age five. My five-year-old loves it Deborah, Wiltshire Send us your comments By that time, he hopes they will have built up "a critical mass of knowledge" and a love of languages.HAVE YOUR SAY At my children's school they are taught basic French from age five. My five-year-old loves it Deborah, Wiltshire Send us your comments By that time, he hopes they will have built up "a critical mass of knowledge" and a love of languages.
"We need to demonstrate languages are both a useful skill and something to enjoy if we are to have better motivated learners." The report does not say GCSE-level study should again be compulsory.
Technological answers But it does expect a significant reversal in the decline, backed by Ofsted inspections and government targets.
Lord Dearing said 70% of primary schools were already "on the way" to teaching languages. And it says that if a recovery cannot be achieved, there should indeed be "a return to a modified mandatory curriculum" - albeit with a "slimmer" programme of study than used to be the case.
He told BBC News: "We're recommending it should be part of the standard curriculum hopefully from 2010 then gradually introduce it over the four years called Key Stage 2, that is between ages seven and 11. Lord Dearing told BBC News that 70% of primary schools were already "on the way" to teaching languages.
"It is the best time to start learning a language because you do pick it up so much more easily. The rest of Europe is starting at seven, it's about time we did." "It is the best time to start learning a language because you do pick it up so much more easily.
He admitted there was a problem at the other end of the school age scale, and that a more lively curriculum was needed to keep the interest of teenagers in using a language. "The rest of Europe is starting at seven, it's about time we did."
More emphasis is likely to be placed on new technology, which is described as a "tremendous asset".
DfES national director for languages Dr Lid King said: "Although school technology cannot replace face-to-face teaching, we are struck by the potential IT offers for pupils to access language in their own time and without the pressure of peer observation.
"Technology can also provide access to a wider range of language than some schools can currently offer."