National Languages Strategy

Languages for All: Languages for Life
A strategy for England

Introduction | Objectives

Introduction


The Languages Strategy document for England, Languages for all: languages for life, was published on 18 December 2002. Its three principle objectives as stated in the summary on page 5 are:

  1. To improve teaching and learning of languages, including delivering an entitlement to language learning for pupils at Key Stage 2, making the most of e-learning and ensuring that opportunity to learn languages has a key place in the transformed secondary school of the future
  2. To introduce a recognition system (see the "Languages Ladder") to complement existing qualification frameworks and give people credit for their language skills
  3. To increase the number of people studying languages in further and higher education and in work-based training by stimulating demand for language learning, developing Virtual Language Communities and encouraging employers to play their part in supporting language learning.

Key features of this strategy also include greater flexibility in Key Stage 4 (a languages entitlement replacing mandatory study) and more diverse language provision in Further and Higher Education.

The full list of 'Long-term Objectives' can be found here.

Printed copies of the Strategy may be ordered via the Teachernet website.

Some recent government strategy papers and reviews:

  • Dearing Languages Review
    A review of the DfES's language policy was announced in October 2006. The Languages Review was carried out by Lord Dearing and the National Director for Languages at the Department, Dr Lid King, in 2006/2007, with a consultation report and summary produced in December 2006 and the final report issued 8 March 2007
  • The Children's Plan was published by DCSF in December 2007. This White Paper announced a "root and branch review of the primary level curriculum". The independent review of the primary curriculum is being led by Sir Jim Rose and a summary of responses is expected by 30 June 2008. Question 3 of the consultation is on modern foreign languages
  • Promoting achievement, valuing success: a strategy for 14–19 qualifications is a Green Paper published by DCSF in March 2008. The new Diplomas feature prominently in it, including the specialised Languages Diploma. Consultation closed on this strategy on 23 June 2008.

Further information