Policy

Find out here about policy with relevance for language learning and for

Private sector employers
Public sector employers, including universities and colleges
Employers and freelance professionals in the languages sector
Employees and social partners

Generic policy on education and skills sets the framework for consideration of languages in the workplace. Follow the links given below and search on 'languages' and 'international' to see the account that major employer and social partner organisations take of languages:

UK Commission for Employment & Skills (UKCES) Research & Policy analysis series - for evidence reports, briefing papers, policy think pieces, e-bulletins
British Chambers of Commerce policy on skills and training
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) - for policy and statistics, education and skills key issues policy mini-site, official policy responses
Institute of Directors (IoD) Education and Skills policy briefings
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Education and skills policy
Trades Union Congress (TUC) Learning and Skills policy

Policy articles:

Use the listing of policy articles below to find out about important developments affecting languages and language learning in the workplace and what these developments could mean for you.

Documents listed here post-date the seminal Nuffield Inquiry report into the language needs of the UK to 2020, including languages and intercultural skills in and for the workplace.

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.

The future of EU competitiveness: From economic recovery to sustainable growth

01/06/09

[Policy] Leading on from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 1998 White Paper on the knowledge-driven economy

Ambition 2020: World class skills and jobs for the UK

01/05/09

[Policy] This position statement assesses the likelihood of improving the UK’s ranking in the international league tables of skills.

Building Britain's future: New industry, new jobs

01/04/09

[Policy] This government strategy paper partners a paper set in the context of the European Union

Skills for Life: Changing Lives

01/03/09

This document refreshes and updates the original strategy from 2001.

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.

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'

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 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.

Raising skills, improving life chances

01/03/06

[Policy] The Raising skills White Paper takes forward the Foster Review recommendations and sets out a programme of change to help Further Education

Ministerial letter to secondary schools from Jacqui Smith

01/01/06

The letter sets out the Minister of State for Schools and 14-19 Learners' expectations for schools to set a benchmark for take-up and achievement in languages at Key Stage 4, and to report against this in their Self Evaluation Form.

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.

Prosperity for all in the global economy

01/11/05

[Policy] In 2004 the Government commissioned an independent review of the UK's long term skills needs.

Gateways to the professions

01/07/05

[Policy] Sir Alan Langlands’ study investigated opportunities to lift barriers for individuals to enter the professions.

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.

14-19 Education and Skills

01/02/05

[Policy] Paragraph 5.4 of this Department for Children Schools and Families White Paper reiterates the government’s commitment to a statutory entitlement to study a modern foreign language as part of the 14-19 curriculum.

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'.

Higher Education Act

01/07/04

[Policy] An Act to make provision about research in the arts and humanities and about complaints by students against institutions providing higher education.

Lambert review of business-university collaboration

01/12/03

[Policy] Language skills feature as a useful element in securing international competitive advantage.

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.

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.

Declaration on higher education

01/06/99

[Policy] The Bologna Declaration marked the introduction of new enhanced level of European cooperation in higher education.

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.