Policy

Read here about policy on teacher training with relevance for languages and intercultural skills, and about generic languages policy which has an impact in these areas.For information on language policy and strategy in general, go to the main policy area of this website.

You may find the following sites of interest for additional information:

Training and Development Agency for schools (TDA) - the national agency and recognised sector body responsible for the training and development of the school workforce.
Teacher Training Resource Bank (TTRB) - access to research and evidence informing teacher education.
Lifelong Learning UK - policy on teacher training in community based learning and development, further and higher education.
International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Frameworks Internet Archive (INCA) - online archive containing comparative data on international teacher training policy.

Recently added policy articles:

Education for all: the future of education and training for 14-19 year olds

01/06/09

[Policy] The report is of the independent 6-year review of 14-19 education, the largest review of this phase since the 1959 Crowther Report.

Skills for Life: Changing Lives

01/03/09

This document refreshes and updates the original strategy from 2001.

Equity and Excellence

05/02/09

[Policy] Proposals outlined by the paper include a new 'Minimum Curriculum' and a commitment for all learners 7-19 to a '...guaranteed entitlement to study at least one foreign language' (page 16, Curriculum (3.1.1)).

The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

01/02/09

[Policy] The bill confirmed key changes, including transfer to local authorities of responsibility for the funding of 16-19 learning

An updated strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training

01/12/08

[Policy] The themes continue to be those of the Lisbon Strategy...

Recommendation CM/Rec(2008)7

01/07/08

[Policy] This includes a comprehensive list of the key policy documents on languages from the Council of Europe since 1998.

Companies work better with languages – Report of the Business Forum for Multilingualism

01/07/08

[Policy] The main messages from the Business Forum, established by the European Commission to inform developing Multilingualism policy, were the following:

The changing landscape for languages

01/07/08

[Policy] The report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses in modern languages from survey inspections of primary and secondary schools, initial teacher education and adult education between 2004 and 2007.

Primary curriculum change: directions of travel in 10 countries

01/03/08

[Policy] The report charts recent policy change and includes explicit reference to languages and citizenship

Diploma in Languages and International Communication

01/01/08

[Policy] One of the most significant current policy developments for this phase of learning is the introduction of the Diploma in Languages and International Communication.

A rewarding challenge: how the multiplicity of languages could strengthen Europe

01/01/08

[Policy] In 2007 the European Commission created a 'Group of Intellectuals for Intercultural Dialogue'

Raising the bar, closing the gap

20/11/07

[Policy] This paper outlines the Conservative policy for schools.

Report on the implementation of the Action Plan 'Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity 2004-2006'

01/09/07

[Policy] The report sets out: the main results from the action plan to date at both European and national level...

High Level Group on Multilingualism, Final report

01/09/07

[Policy] In 2006 the European Commission created a 'High Level Group on Multilingualism', comprising independent experts including the then Chief Executive of CILT

World class skills: implementing the Leith Review of Skills in England

01/07/07

[Policy] The plan is the Government’s response to the independent Leitch Review of Skills and sets out how Government will lead the country into a skills ‘revolution.’

Languages for adults: overcoming the barriers

01/04/07

[Policy] The ALI's 2007 survey report identifies seven barriers that are impeding the successful implementation of the National Languages Strategy in the adult learning and skills sector

Languages Review

12/03/07

[Policy] Lord Dearing, working closely with a range of stakeholders, conducted an extensive consultation exercise to review progress in implementing the government’s National Languages Strategy.

A new framework strategy for multilingualism

01/11/05

[Policy] Complementing its Action Plan on Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity this is the first statement by the European Union on multilingualism.

Working together for growth and jobs. A new start for the Lisbon strategy, Communication to the Spring European Council

02/02/05

[Policy] After initially moderate results, the 2000 Lisbon Strategy was simplified and relaunched.

Putting the world into world-class education

01/11/04

[Policy] The strategy, a joint initiative endorsed by five government departments and the British Council, has three main goals

Working Group on 14-19 Reform,14-19 Qualifications and Curriculum Reform

18/10/04

[Policy] The Diplomas were the cornerstone of proposed new curriculum design, delivery and assessment set out as a series of recommendations in the 'Tomlinson Review'.

Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity

01/07/03

[Policy] The European Commission’s plan proposes 45 actions to be undertaken from 2004 to 2006 in three areas:

Opportunity and Excellence

01/03/03

[Policy] Among other developments the Green Paper set up an independent Working Party on 14-19 Reform, chaired by Sir Mike Tomlinson.

The future of higher education

01/01/03

[Policy] The White Paper heralded a series of interlinked and continuing reforms to Higher Education.

The future of Higher Education

01/01/03

[Policy] The White Paper heralded a series of interlinked and continuing reforms to Higher Education.

Languages for all, languages for life

01/12/02

The National Languages Strategy for England.

Revised guidance on disapplication of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 4 for specific purposes under section 363 of the Education Act 1996

01/09/02

[Policy] The first formal authorisation of disapplication, for individual pupils, from languages in Key Stage 4.

Schools - achieving success

01/09/01

[Policy] With relevance for the whole range of curriculum content, including languages, this government policy document initiated debate about a new and more coherent offer for learners aged 14-19.

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment

01/01/01

[Policy] The CEFR: a key policy document underpinning language teaching, learning, assessment

Education and training work programme 2010

01/01/01

[Policy] The jointly agreed programme of strategic actions has 4 priorities...

Skills for life

01/01/01

[Policy] This national strategy is intended to improve adult literacy, language (ESOL) and numeracy skills in England.

Nuffield Inquiry into Languages

01/05/00

[Policy] The Nuffield Inquiry into Languages made 15 recommendations for change, the better to meet the UK’s requirements for languages in the 21st century.

Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs

01/03/00

[Policy] European Union (EU) leaders set out a new strategy to modernise Europe. This became known as the Lisbon Strategy.

Committee of Ministers, Recommendation to Member States no. R (98) 6 concerning Modern Languages

01/03/98

[Policy] The document sets the scene for development of languages policy in member states of the European Union and further afield for the foreseeable future.