Introduction: The National Languages Strategy
The National Languages Strategy for England sets out the Government's commitment to increasing the nation's languages capability, and a vision of languages as "a life long skill - to be used in business and pleasure, to open up avenues of communication and exploration, and to promote, encourage and instil a broader cultural understanding" (page 5). The cornerstone of that strategy is the introduction by 2010 of an entitlement to language learning for every pupil in key stage 2.
Every child should have the opportunity throughout key stage 2 to study a foreign language and develop their interest in the culture of other nations. They should have access to high quality teaching and learning opportunities, making use of native speakers and e-learning. By age 11 they should have the opportunity to reach a recognized level of competence on the Common European Framework and for that achievement to be recognised through a national scheme. (page 15)
The National Languages Strategy is also an important element within the Primary National Strategy, reinforcing the key approaches to teaching and learning, which are set out in Excellence and enjoyment: A strategy for primary schools. In developing the Framework, careful attention has been given to how best to achieve the most positive outcomes for children, taking full account of the vision and intentions as set out in Every Child Matters.
The Framework is a core document, offering a practical reference tool for planning, teaching and monitoring the learning process. The Framework is designed to support primary school teachers in building their own courses. It also aims to provide secondary school teachers who support primary teachers with a way of making their specialist linguistic knowledge relevant for the primary classroom. The Framework will also be of use to:- headteachers;
- teaching assistants;
- secondary schools preparing for transition;
- teacher trainers;
- curriculum planners;
- course and resource developers.
The Government's plans for primary languages are for full implementation in 2010. This is an ambitious but achievable target for nearly 18,000 primary schools attended by children in KS2 and almost 2.5 million children. In using the Framework it is important to realise that it can be introduced over time. It should provide teachers and planners with enough flexibility to support what is happening now and to plan for increasing capacity over a number of years.
Above all, the Framework should be seen as a support, not a constraint; a climbing frame, not a cage.
The Framework builds on key principles for teaching and learning in the following documents:
- Languages for all: languages for life - the Government's National Strategy for Languages;
- Excellence and enjoyment: A strategy for primary schools.
The learning objectives have been linked to:
- the objectives for English, PSHE, geography, history, art and design, music and ICT set out in the National Curriculum Programmes of Study in key stages 1 and 2;
- National Literacy Strategy Framework for teachingand Numeracy Strategy Framework for teaching;
- Speaking, listening and learning: Working with children in key stages 1 and 2 jointly published by the Primary National Strategy and QCA;
- QCA Schemes of Work for MFL at key stage 2;
- National Curriculum Non-statutory Guidelines for MFL at key stage 2.
It also draws on the Framework for teaching modern foreign languages: Years 7, 8 and 9 produced by the Key Stage 3 National Strategy.
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