Poorer children are being left behind when it comes to learning languages
Poorer children are being left behind when it comes to learning languages"
- Select a language for the TTS:
- UK English Female
- UK English Male
- US English Female
- US English Male
- Australian Female
- Australian Male
- Language selected: (auto detect) - EN
Play all audios:
The British have a reputation (rightly or wrongly) for struggling to learn foreign languages. A recent survey showed, for example, that 62% of the population can’t speak any other language
apart from English. Part of the issue is that language learning in schools faces huge challenges. GCSE uptake remains stuck at around 50% and the number of students taking an A-level in a
language has declined by about a third since 1996. And the latest Language Trends Survey, which looks at uptake of language learning in England, makes for worrying reading. Headlines have
focused on the north-south divide in the number of learners taking a languages GCSE – with the north generally having lower levels of uptake than the south of the country. But a closer look
suggests the situation is more complex – with the problem going well beyond GCSE numbers. For a start, the survey by the British Council shows there are big differences in the level of
access learners have to languages at all stages of education. This can be seen in the fact that primary schools with a higher percentage of learners eligible for free school meals are more
likely to allocate less time to language teaching – in many cases under 30 minutes a week. And we know from research we conducted at the University of Reading, the amount of time spent
teaching languages at primary level influences learners’ progress when they get to secondary school. TONGUE-TIED The survey also shows that at secondary school, pupils of middle and lower
attainment levels are being put off taking a language because of fears they will not get the high grades that matter so much to schools. And again here the link between socioeconomic factors
and take-up is clear – the higher the proportion of learners eligible for free school meals, the lower a school’s level of uptake for languages in years nine, ten and eleven. For some
learners, this means they have minimal language learning at primary school, and then very possibly only two years of it at secondary school. Depressingly, the report summarises the situation
as: > Pupils in schools with the highest levels of economic disadvantage > are more likely to be withdrawn from lessons in Key Stage 3, more > likely to be allowed to drop
languages after only two years, less > likely to be able to study more than one foreign language, and less > likely to take a language to GCSE. LANGUAGE GAP In many respects the
“divide” between who gets to study a language is less a geographical one, and more about inequalities which stem from broader socioeconomic factors – which happen to coincide by and large
with geography. It is notable that more prosperous areas of the north – such as York – have relatively high numbers of learners taking languages GCSE, while the Isle of Wight – which is in
the south but is also less advantaged economically – has one of the lowest. In this sense, the findings of the Language Trends Survey echo those of previous studies, which show that
languages are one of the subjects least likely to be studied by less advantaged pupils. The most worrying aspect of all this is that the education system seems to be on the brink of engaging
in a form of social engineering, by limiting access to the curriculum for certain groups of learners. BOOST TO CREATIVITY This is massively shortsighted, because learning another language
has so many potential benefits – including improved cognitive functioning, a more tolerant outlook, social and communication skills as well as linguistic abilities that are valued by
employers – which can potentially lead to better salary prospects. But instead of encouragement to study these subjects, large numbers of learners – from some of the least advantaged groups
in society – are being excluded from language study. And this narrowing of the curriculum is also being seen with the creative arts, as schools strive towards accountability measures that do
not fully value such subjects. This is why our latest research is looking at how exposing students studying French and German to poetry, drama and creative writing impacts their experience
of language learning. We hope this form of teaching may affect not only how well learners can understand and use languages, but also help students to feel more positive about language
learning and their own levels of creativity. And who knows, by making more visible the extent to which languages can enrich the education of young people, it may just help to halt the
decline of language learning across the UK.
Trending News
Neet ug 2022 result declared: how to check at neet. Nta. Nic. InNEET UG 2022 RESULT DATE AND TIME: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the result of the National Eligibilit...
Coach shastri reveals why dhoni batted at no 7 in world cup semi"It was a team decision. Everyone was in with it – and it was a simple decision, too. Last thing you wanted was Dho...
In their own words: americans depend on social securityMemorial Day Sale! Join AARP for just $11 per year with a 5-year membership Join now and get a FREE gift. Expires 6/4 G...
🎯 dart (dartlang) introduction: getting started with dart/flutterDART TUTORIALS: BASICS FLUTTER IS A FRAMEWORK WRITTEN IN DART LANGUAGE FOR BUILDING NATIVE APPLICATIONS FOR IOS AND ANDR...
Akshay kumar deserves your respect for his heartfelt letter to the real heroes of movies: stuntmen - scoopwhoopKnown mostly for doing movies packed with action, Akshay Kumar has a reputation of doing most of the stunts himself. He ...
Latests News
Poorer children are being left behind when it comes to learning languagesThe British have a reputation (rightly or wrongly) for struggling to learn foreign languages. A recent survey showed, fo...
At least 1 dead after gunman opens fire near security services headquarters in moscowUPDATED AT 12:45 P.M. ET A lone gunman opened fire near the headquarters of the FSB, Russia's Federal Security Serv...
Watch: shikhar dhawan, son zoravar having boxing session during covid-19 lockdownThe rapid spread of Coronavirus worldwide has started seeing its serious impacts. Due to the coronavirus pandemic across...
a-cero architects | designboom.com* imprint * privacy policy * terms of use * cookies * copyright info * contribute * about us * contact us * newsletter *...
Free copy of ‘blown to bits’In June, three smart Cantabridgians — from Harvard, MIT, and the private sector — published a book called _Blown to Bits...