Britain Can't Afford to Drop Languages [Edition 2]

Evening Standard - London › July 30, 2009

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Summary

AS THE GCSE and A-level results season approaches, the chairman of the exams regulator Ofqual, Kathleen Tattersall, has struck a blow against dumbing down. Ms Tattersall has criticised the removal of foreign languages from the compulsory curriculum beyond the age of 14. It is a message that rings true in the capital, where an estimated one in three workers was born abroad and the everyday reality of globalisation is obvious.

Of the world's biggest economies, Britain's is probably the most open to international trade and investment. Despite the power of English, that means British children will lose out on job opportunities if they do not master foreign languages. Besides, there are other benefits. Memorising vocabulary and studying grammar are great training for the mind in themselves, while the business of learning another language is an introduction to other ways of life at a time when most people can afford at least some travel abroad.

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Extract

Britain Can't Afford to Drop Languages [Edition 2]

Ms Tattersall has already taken action to restore standards in scie...

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