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Bengali and Mandarin should have same priority as French and German, says Ofsted
Last updated at 16:37pm on 22.02.08
Students could learn Bengali and Mandarin in schools instead of French and German
It warns, however, that the teacher training system is holding youngsters back because most "community language" teachers are not qualified.
Schools no longer have to offer lessons in a major European language, but can opt to teach other world languages instead.
A Government review last year said it will be crucial to teach minority languages as China and India grow in economic influence.
Ofsted said it found when community language teachers were given the opportunity to gain qualified teacher status, their teaching improved.
But today's report warns that few students are taking up places on the "limited" postgraduate training courses in community languages.
The watchdog calls for action "to stem the decline in the number of entries for GCSE community languages and to promote them up to and beyond GCSE level".
The Training and Development Agency for Schools said teacher training providers are free to offer a wider range of languages.
It said the "barrier" is the extent to which other languages are taught to whole classes in schools and the availability of suitable training placements.
Reader views (13)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Bengali and Mandarin are singled out because of their growing importance globally and economically. In 20 years' time these are going to be of far greater importance than either French or German. You do know what's going on in India and China at the moment, don't you?
- Charlie, Soho
The most dishonest argument for learning a foreign language is the economic argument. Listen to the politicians of Europe and compare their skill in presenting a complex argument in English: then contrast it with the embarrassing fact that practically none of our politicians can present their case in a major European language... Blair is fluent and nearly comprehensible. Learn a foreign language for pleasure and use it when suitable but take advantage of the acceptance of English as a universal language. The Scots have! I write as a teacher of Modern languages of 40 years experience.
- C Adams, Frace
Actually these languages could be useful to know when you go to a Chinese or Indian restaurant where these languages are spoken.
Then you will be able to overhear any comments made by the staff to each other concerning your order.
- P.Robinson, Northants
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