Nurseries 'should teach English' to help schools struggling with immigrant influx, says Nick Clegg

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Nursery schools should teach English to ease the burden on primary schools struggling with a huge influx of immigrant children, the Lib-Dems said yesterday.

Leader Nick Clegg warned that mass immigration was damaging educational standards.

He said migrant children take longer to understand lessons and divert the teacher's energies from English-speaking classmates.

But he believes primary schools could be helped by encouraging nurseries, pre-school clubs and mother-and-baby groups to teach English.

He said: "It is daunting for children if little English is spoken at home before they start school.

"It's a huge challenge for teachers and for English speakers.

"I want to make sure every effort is made to get good English skills in the pre-school years.

"In mother-and-baby groups, promoting English can help mothers develop their skills too."

Peter Price, of the National Primary Headteachers' Association, said: "It would be very helpful if children were taught English before they started school."

Mr Clegg said nearly 800,000 pupils - 12 per cent of the total - were registered with English as a second language.