Over the course of the last decade, the decline in the learning of languages in schools has been widely reported. The requirement for young people to take a modern foreign language at GCSE was ended by the last Labour government in 2004, which led to a massive slump in uptake. According to official statistics, numbers of schools where more than 50 per cent of pupils study a language dropped from 76 per cent in 2000, to just 38 per cent in 2011. The concentration on league tables as a measure of success has in the past discouraged schools from ‘taking a risk’ on languages, which are perceived to be difficult. As a result, language learning achievement and the amount of curriculum time devoted to MFL pales in comparison to many other countries.
In Britain, there exists the common argument that as increasingly people globally are speaking English, this removes the need to learn another language. English has a global role as essentially the language of international science, aviation and banking. However, it is increasingly apparent that it is in this country’s interest that our young people are competent in at least one foreign language. The Nuffields Languages Inquiry of 2000 suggested that English alone is not enough in a world of alliances and partnerships, where linguistic skills and international experience are crucial for mutual understanding. It is the role of the educator to prepare young people for this global stage, and language skills should therefore play an important part in education.
The benefits of bilingualism
Learning a second language has an impact that reaches beyond school: modern languages help prepare young people for a modern life. The benefits are far reaching for social mobility, for employment and for leisure. It is not only about learning a set of vocabulary: with language learning comes an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and ways of life. As international business becomes a norm in the global economy, using and understanding another language enables people to establish meaningful social and professional relationships with others from different countries and cultures. As a nation, it is important that future generations can bring stability and strengthen relationships with our international neighbours, leading to mutual understanding and a sense of global citizenship.
Bilingualism can also have valuable input into personal and social development. Foreign language speakers show greater cognitive development in creativity and higher order thinking skills such as problem solving, conceptualisation and reasoning. Not only this, but those that have experienced the process of learning another language can tell you that it teaches understanding, tolerance and patience! The ability to master another tongue can also drastically improve self-confidence. These attributes are beneficial to the educative process, and beyond into the workplace and social situations.
Flying the flag for languages
Recent activity by the Government suggests change is on the horizon for language teaching. The first sign was from Michael Gove, education secretary, who recently stated: “I am deeply concerned that fewer and fewer students are studying languages: it not only breeds insularity, it means an integral part of the brain’s learning capacity rusts unused.“
Following this came Gove’s introduction of the new English Baccalaureate. School league tables will now record the number of students who secure the combination of GCSEs that make up the Baccalaureate, which includes MFL. But what does this mean for teachers? Being measured on language performance, schools will have a powerful incentive to ensure that each student has the opportunity to pursue foreign language learning up to the age of 16, to drive take up and improve results. This could result in increased pressure when many schools scaled back departments after MFL was made optional in 2004. Inevitably, there will be renewed focus on meeting objectives in order to realise the push on Baccalaureate targets.
Whilst Gove has left the door open to make MFL compulsory again, in the meantime schools will need to ensure a good take up of the subject and make what is considered a hard choice more appealing. The digital revolution can prove significant in making language learning more accessible and more exciting. Access to innovative and interactive digital resources that young people already use regularly, such as the internet, motivates them to learn, allowing cultures and languages from around the world to be brought to life. As Government is now realising, it is in our interests to recognise the value of languages, and act on it accordingly within the education system.
Vocab Express
