Speak to the Future -The campaign for languages

Speak to the Future

A five-year campaign is proposed, from 2011 to 2015, to improve the UK’s understanding of the value of languages in all areas of life; to achieve a step change in language learning at all levels; to improve the nation’s capacity in language skills and professional services. The campaign is addressed principally to policy makers in government and leaders in education and business. It will aim to demonstrate the importance of languages for success in social, economic, political and cultural life. It will identify specific steps that we should take now to promote and increase language learning in the UK. The campaign will span the intended life of the current Parliament, taking in the milestones and opportunities of the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 European Parliament elections and the election campaigns for the next Welsh Assembly and Scottish and Westminster Parliaments. The campaign has five strategic objectives which set out the value of learning and using other languages in all sectors of education and at all stages of life. 1. Every language valued as an asset This will encourage policy makers and citizens to recognise that the many languages used in the homes of UK citizens are a valuable resource for social cohesion and economic success. 2. A coherent experience of languages for all children in primary school This will introduce the learning of other languages and cultures as well as developing a better understanding of how the child’s own languages work. 3. A basic working knowledge of at least two languages including English for every child leaving secondary school This will equip every school leaver to live and work in a global society where confidence in learning and using other languages is a major advantage. 4. Every graduate qualified in a second language This will prepare future leaders in business, the professions, voluntary organisations, education and research to thrive and communicate confidently in complex global societies. 5. More postgraduate training places for specialist linguists This will fulfil the growing need, in the UK and internationally, for English-speaking language professionals including interpreters, translators and teachers. Developing the campaign An ad hoc steering group has been formed, comprising Lid King (National Director), Kate Board (CILT), Mike Kelly (LLAS) and Terry Lamb (The Language Alliance), supported by Jane Collis. Representatives from thirty organisations attended an initial consultative meeting on 4th October 2010 in order to develop the campaign objectives, propose measures that should be taken to address them, and identify immediate actions required to take the campaign forward. As a result of the meeting a number of working groups are being established to take forward the campaign objectives. The five-year campaign, launched in February 2011, is supported by languages, cultural and business organisations, who are convinced of the importance of language learning for the future of our society, our citizens and our economy. Follow the link below to the website and briefings

External Link: http://www.speaktothefuture.org/