Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to encourage the study of foreign languages in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools; and if she will make a statement.

The new national curriculum introduces the teaching of a foreign language to Key Stage 2 (ages 7 to 11) from September 2014, which will increase the uptake of foreign languages in both primary and, over time, secondary schools. By starting languages earlier, pupils will have longer to develop their skills to a high level before continuing with language learning in secondary school. The English Baccalaureate is already encouraging more young people to take a language at GCSE level. Take up of a modern foreign language by Key Stage 4 pupils in England increased by over 20% between 2012 and 2013.

The independent Expert Group, chaired by a leading primary headteacher, has provided links to useful resources that specifically support the introduction of a compulsory foreign language at Key Stage 2. These resources are hosted on the website of the Association for Language Learning. We are also making extensive use of social networking, including using high profile headteachers and others to raise the profile of the new curriculum, including for languages, through podcasts, webchats and blogs.

We are also providing at least £350,000 to support training on the new national curriculum for teachers of modern foreign languages in primary and secondary schools. In addition, we have already allocated £1.9 million to teaching schools to lead curriculum change across and within their teaching school alliances. Some 46 of the projects being supported involve languages.