ALI survey (2006): Languages for adults – overcoming the barriers

The government launched its National Languages Strategy in 2002 but, four years on, the evidence from ALI inspections shows that it has had little impact on adult and work-based learning. Although the demand for learning a language is buoyant among adults, the supply of language teaching does not match this demand, either in quantity or quality.

This ALI survey (2006) on modern foreign languages identifies the most significant barriers that are impeding the success of the strategy and offers examples and case studies of providers that are finding ways of breaking them down. The findings have implications for funding bodies, employers, providers and sector skills councils.

ALI ceased to exist in 2007. In April 2007 it merged with Ofsted but the ALI report is still available.