Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 June 2002. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Wednesday, 19 June 2002 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, when modern foreign language teaching is to be excluded from the compulsory curriculum for those aged 14. (Holding answer 18 June 2002).

Answer: Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when modern foreign language teaching is to be excluded from the compulsory curriculum for those aged 14. [62463] Mr. Ivan Lewis: [holding answer 18 June 2002]: This is a proposal in the Green Paper "14-19: extending opportunities, raising standards". Consultation closed only on 31 May 2002 and we are reflecting carefully on the views expressed during consultation before reaching our decision. We have indicated in the Green Paper that curriculum changes would be subject to further consultation before their introduction. Our proposals seek a balance between the need to offer pupils greater choice, and the importance of foreign languages. We propose a statutory entitlement to them in all schools. We have also expressed our aspirations to boost language learning in primary schools.

Secondary information