Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 October 2006. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 November 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Foreign Language Teaching

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether there is a minimum percentage of students that a school is required to have taking up a foreign language at age 14 years.

Answer: At Key Stage 3, language learning for all 14-year-olds is compulsory.At Key Stage 4 (14 to 16-year-olds), where compulsion was replaced by a statutory entitlement in September 2004, schools must provide access to language learning to any pupil who wishes to study a language. From September 2006 we expect, as a minimum, 50 per cent. of a school’s Key Stage 4 cohort of pupils to be studying a language leading to a recognised qualification.

Secondary information