CILT responses to policy consultations

 

CILT response to the NIACE call for evidence on adult learning and demographic change Dec 07

CILT's response comprises a series of reflections on three key themes:

  • The expanding third age.
  • New and deferred patterns of labour market entry.
  • Cultural and ethnic mix.

We outline the consequences these have for language use, need, demand and learning, with reference to a selection of supporting evidence.

We make four key points:

  • The expectation that migrant workers coming to the UK will learn sufficient English for all purposes is naïve and uninformed. There is evidence for adult learning of 'migrant' languages (eg Polish, Arabic, Sylheti, etc) to facilitate communication and this could be better supportedLearning sufficient English to secure and carry out a job is one thing; having sufficient to deal in a crisis is another. 
  • The acute shortage of public service interpreters is known: the cost of supporting adults to train as interpreters is frequently prohibitive for the individual. Further support could usefully be targeted in this area, eg financial support for individuals to achieve the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting.
  • The need for greater cohesion in a diverse society is known. Adult learning of skills relating to intercultural competence is in its infancy and could usefully be developed to help in this respect.
  • Survey evidence reveals that languages remain a popular learning choice for adults. There is evidence pointing to benefits from such learning for purposes as diverse as social cohesion and mental health. However, recent changes to state funding subsidies have occasioned an increase to the individual of the cost of such learning. While we do not challenge the principle of individual investment in learning, we question the extent to which equitable access to language learning is provided for adults across the UK. Language learning among adults, as among the younger population, appears to be increasingly confined to a social élite.

Download the full CILT response (rtf 65KB)

CILT response to the NIACE call for evidence on learning in the workplace Nov 07

CILT's response comprises a series of reflections on the nature of language and cultural skills learning in the workplace, with supporting reference to sources of evidence. We make four key points:
  • When they identify a need for language skills, many employers buy them in, ie hire native speakers, rather than investing in language learning in the workplace. This distorts an assumed demand/supply model informing long-term publicly funded education and training provision, and suggests that indigenous monolingual Britons are at a disadvantage in what is now a global labour market.
  • There is case study evidence for good practice in language and cultural learning in the workplace, and for productivity gains to the employer, among other gains such as social and workforce cohesion, associated with that. 
  • There is recent research evidence suggesting that employers recognise a need for more language and cultural skills in certain sectors and occupational roles in preparation for the 2012 Games.
  • Qualifications and funding structures for publicly subsidised workplace language learning are neither consistent across sub-regions nor transparent for employers. A comprehensive language qualifications map is being collated with a view to identifying gaps.

    Download the full CILT response (rtf 111KB)

    House of Lords EU Committee - EU Integrated Action Programme for lifelong learning: CILT response (pdf 37.9KB) Jan 05

    Framework for achievement: CILT response Dec 04


    QCA has recently completed a consultation exercise on its proposals for a new Framework for achievement. CILT's response reflected the concerns of stakeholders and practitioners in adult learning. Issues highlighted included the need for proper recognition of Entry Level qualifications, and the ways in which languages should be integrated into the new Framework as a means of adding value to achievements across the range of subjects and sectors.

    Download the full CILT response (rtf 915KB)

    Tomlinson: CILT commentary on the final report (rtf 82KB) Dec 04
    A commentary from CILT on the opportunities for languages offered by the final Tomlinson Report.

    Response to the Skills Strategy - white paper (rtf 28KB) Oct 03