TalkLanguages: National Curriculum: Private language lessons for pay&go private tuition

Information about the National Curriculum

As we just provide you with a 'taster' here, we suggest you have a look at the National Curriculum in much greater detail by visiting this Government site, the National Curriculum Online:

www.nc.uk.net

Age	Stage	Year	Tests
3-4	Foundation	-	-
4-5	Foundation	-	-
5-6	Key Stage 1	1	-
6-7	Key Stage 1	2	National Tests and tasks in English and Maths
7-8	Key Stage 2	3
8-9	Key Stage 2	4
9-10	Key Stage 2	5
10-11	Key Stage 2	6	National tests in English, Maths and Science
11-12	Key Stage 3	7
12-13	Key Stage 3	8
13-14	Key Stage 3	9	National tests in English, Maths and Science
14-15	Key Stage 4	10	Some children take GCSEs
15-16	Key Stage 4	11	Most children take GCSEs, GNVQs or other national qualifications

English

At Primary level the English curriculum for 5-11 years olds is aligned with the National Literacy Strategy framework for teaching.

Secondary pupils are required to read a range of classic texts chosen from a prescribed list of authors and poets, including two plays by Shakespeare. They also read a range of modern fiction and non-fiction from our own and other cultural traditions. Teachers are given examples of writers in these categories whose work will stimulate the interest of all pupils.

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The problem in schools

Just last week I was reading a copy of one of the Sunday newspapers. In it was an article entitled: 'British pupils failing the language test'.

I read on with interest and quickly learned the main thrust of the argument: there is far too little emphasis on the teaching of foreign languages in British schools.

Cast your minds back to the last issue of this newsletter and you'll recall I commented on how sometimes we Brits get away with not needing to learn another language; so many people in other countries speak English anyway, why should we bother to learn their native tongue?!

The situation seems to be getting worse in schools, as the Observer newspaper article points out: 'In 2000 an all-time low was reached; only 2.8 per cent of all British state school pupils left with French A-level and 1.1 percent with German.' I needn't tell you that these are the only two languages to feature. The traditional school options of German and French remain intact, although these days the likes of Spanish, Cantonese or Mandarin may now be more important for the current generation of language learners.

Have you ever considered the idea of your child being taught Maths in the French language? Or Science in German? Quite a prospect (two subjects for the price of one!) but something which the Observer article suggests is as far off as ever.
Sooner or later though, we will wise up to the demands of our increasingly global society. After all, to quote the article a final time, 'The whole intellectual environment is enriched when doors and windows are opened to other cultures - and languages provide the key.'
Talk Languages

15.07.01

Extracts taken from 'British pupils failing the language test', which featured in The Observer on July 8th.

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