Language learning has been in the news on a regular basis in the last five years. Stories have continually shown an increase in the demand for language skills in the United Kingdom and across the world, as well as a marked decline in those possessing the requisite skills. There has recently been evidence that this is starting to change, and that educators and the governments within the United Kingdom are taking steps to redress the balance.
Last month the Scottish government announced that it was increasing its funding of foreign language learning by more than 44% in a move to help local authorities move to a European model of teaching children 2 additional languages. The goal of this increase in funding is to put Scotland in a position where by 2020 every student in Scotland will start learning a language in the first year of primary school. This would put Scotland ahead of the United Kingdom government compulsory requirement for language teaching to begin by at least the age of seven. The success of this program will not be overnight, and signifies a commitment to putting the learning infrastructure in place to support pupils and teachers in language learning. Something that the teachers unions in Scotland were quick to stress.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: "The benefits of promoting the study of modern languages and the personal, social academic and economic advantages are widely accepted. However, there remain a number of barriers to overcome if the aims of the programme are to be delivered successfully. There will also require to be appropriate professional development opportunities for teachers to allow them to develop the skills required to support this area of learning." The move to introduce a wider reaching language learning program is a positive one that reflects the social and political importance being placed on ensuring that children in the United Kingdom have the skills to succeed in a global economy. The fruits of this investment will take time to become apparent. But, it is a promising step in the right direction to arrest declining language skills.