Written question asked by Oliver Colvile (Conservative) on Thursday, 19 April 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 April 2012. It was answered by Lord Bellingham (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Diplomatic Service

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what language training is given to British Embassy personnel before they are posted abroad.

Answer: All UK-based staff appointed to overseas positions designated as ““speaker slots”” are entitled to receive full time language training in the UK and overseas before starting in post. The training is tailored to ensure these officers can carry out their work effectively in the foreign language, for example to negotiate with foreign government counterparts, or speak on overseas media channels. Staff posted overseas to roles where there is not an essential language requirement, but where the native language is not English, receive some optional training to provide basic language skills geared towards living and working in that country.

Secondary information