Latest News
All the latest news from the world of languages and language teaching.The Guardian: Millions of pupils in England had no language teaching in lockdowns – survey
Most primary school children and 40% in secondaries missed out during first lockdown, says British Council. Millions of children did not receive any language tuition during lockdowns in England, the British Council has said. The council’s annual survey of English...
Schools Week: DfE and Ofqual launch exams 2022 consultation
The government has set out draft plans for GCSEs and A-level exams next year, including a choice of topics for some GCSE subjects and advance information about the focus of exams in others. But schools will have to wait until the autumn to hear the government’s final...
The Guardian: Advance notice of GCSE & A level topics
Pupils who are due to sit GCSEs and A-levels next summer will be given advance notice of the focus of some examinations to try to mitigate for learning lost as a result of the pandemic, according to plans unveiled by the government. Ministers have already stated their...
Study shows second-language learning can happen quickly
Study shows second-language learning can happen quickly In a finding that runs contrary to one of the most-cited studies in the field, a new research paper from University of Kansas linguists shows that even as beginners, adults can quickly begin mentally processing...
European Day of Languages update from ECML
European Day of Languages : ECML Update June 2021 https://edl.ecml.at/ A new secret agent’s language challenge app Following the success of the language challenges handbook (now available in 29 languages) and a first version of an app last year, version ‘2.007’...
Recent publications from OFQUAL
Recent publications from OFQUAL which might be of interest: A consultation on proposed revisions to the Terms of Reference for Exam Procedures Review Service (EPRS) in summer 2021. The consultation closed on 28 June 2021. A report on The use of assistive technologies...
Ofsted: Curriculum research review series: Languages
As members will be aware, on Monday Ofsted released a report as part of its Curriculum Research Review series on Languages. The review explores the literature relating to the field of foreign languages education. Its purpose is to identify factors that contribute to...
What makes someone bilingual?
The Conversation posted this piece concerning 'what makes someone bilingual', an interesting read. It’s estimated that half the world’s population is bilingual, and two-thirds of the world’s children grow up in an environment where several languages intersect. But...
ALL Press Release: Ofsted Languages Research Review
ALL Press Release Ofsted Research Language Review “ALL welcomes the emphasis in this report on the integral role of languages in the curriculum and agrees that learning a language helps to equip pupils with the knowledge and cultural capital they need to...
School trips to UK from EU could halve as Brexit hits cultural exchanges
A news article featured in The Guardian gives a warning that the loss of young Europeans on pupil visits will cause reputational damage to UK, say tour organisers. French and German educational trip organisers bringing as many as 750,000 school pupils to the UK every...
Consultation on non-exam assessment at GCSE 2022
The latest consultation from OFQUAL includes recommendations about the Speaking element of GCSE Languages in 2022. The essence of the proposal is to revert to the arrangements in place before the need arose to create Speaking Endorsement arrangements in 2021...
International Experience
The British Council and APPG are seeking submissions on the value of international experience, skills and connections for young people in the UK. The inquiry will examine how access to international skills and connections can be widened, and look at how international...
Consultations
Responding as a community to issues which concern the teaching of languages.
Media centre
Press releases & open letters from the Association for Language Learning.