Basic Documentation on English and UK Policy
This page contains links to official documentation on languages, or language related policy issues.
The new UK Government which took office on May 11 2010 is currently reviewing the National Curriculum in England . Following the publication of a White paper on Education a full consultation on the curriculum from 5-16 was launched. The outline timetable is as follows -
| January 2011 |
Review launched |
| January 2011 |
Call for Evidence (phase one) begins |
| April 2011 |
Call for Evidence (phase one) ends |
| Early 2012 |
Public consultation on phase one recommendations (including new Programmes of Study for English, mathematics, science and physical education |
| Early 2012 |
Call for Evidence (phase two) begins |
| Spring 2012 |
Ministers announce decisions on (1) the Programmes of Study for English, mathematics, science and physical education and (2) the other subjects to be included in the new National Curriculum |
| Spring 2012 |
Call for Evidence (phase two) ends |
| September 2012 |
New Programmes of Study for English, mathematics, science and physical education made available to schools |
| Early 2013 |
Public consultation on new Programmes of Study for all other subjects to be included in the National Curriculum |
| Spring 2013 |
Ministers announce decisions about the Programmes of Study for all other subjects to be included in the National Curriculum |
| September 2013 |
Teaching of the new Programmes of Study for English, mathematics, science and physical education becomes statutory |
| September 2013 |
New Programmes of Study for all other subjects included in the new National Curriculum are made available to schools |
| September 2014 |
Teaching of the new Programmes of Study for all other subjects to be included in the National Curriculum becomes statutory |
The following key documents can therefore be regarded as of historical importance until such time as the Coalition Government decides on a policy for languages
The National Languages Strategy for England
Published in December 2002, Languages for All; Languages for Life A Strategy for England, set out the Government's 8 year plan to transform the nation's language capability. The core objectives were to improve learning and teaching, introduce a national recognition scheme and increase the numbers of language learners. The cornerstone of the strategy was the introduction of an entitlement for all pupils ages 7-11 to learn a language by 2010.
The Languages Review
In the autumn of 2006, Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Education and Skills asked Lord Dearing to work with Lid King, National Director for Languages in order to review the Government's language policy. In particular he was asked to consider the reduction in numbers taking languages to GCSE and to make proposals to increase take up among this age group (14-16). In the event the Review was a comprehensive consultation and analysis of languages education and made a broad set of proposals for reform, including a key proposal to make primary languages statutory. The review was welcomed by the Government and its main proposals were being implemented until 2011. Associated with the review there is also a consultation document which can be accessed here.
The International Strategy
In 2004 the then DfES (now DFE) published an International Strategy, which also had the support of the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its main goals are -
- equipping children, young people and adults for life in a global society and work in a global economy
- engaging with international partners to achieve (shared) goals
- maximising the continuation of our education and training sector and university research
There have also been some developments of the international strategy since 2004.
There are important synergies between the International Strategy and The National Language Strategies.
There have also been important policy developments outside England.
Citizens of a Multilingual World (Scotland)
England was not the first part of the UK to develop a languages strategy. In Scotland in the year 2000 a Ministerial Action Group produced a comprehensive report and set of proposals for responding to the challenges and opportunities of Multilingualism. Although not all of the proposals were implemented by the Scottish Government, this set an agenda which has been regularly updated.
Languages Count (Wales)
In April 2002 the Welsh Assembly Government published a languages strategy for Wales - Languages Count. This wide reaching document set out a vision for the importance of languages if Wales is to play its part on the world stage. It aimed in particular to improve both take-up and standards post 14, to increase recognition by schools, pupils, parents and employers of the importance of foreign language skills and to ensure that language learning was linked to the learning of English and Welsh and increased intercultural understanding among learners. In 2009 Languages Count was updated in a new set of proposals and consultation - Making languages count. An action plan for languages in secondary schools Making Languages Count was piublished in 2010.
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