Teacher

Dear XXXXX, 

I am a teacher in a secondary school and would like to hear your views as the prospective parliamentary candidate for XXXXX, on the importance of languages in the UK.

My concern is that far more needs to be done to promote the advantages of speaking another language if the UK is not to fall behind economically or become fragmented by a lack of social cohesion. The current decline in numbers taking languages at GCSE and at AS / A2 level, compounded by the issue of severe grading, make me fear the worst.

• • That languages are essential if the UK is to survive economically has been made clear by groups such as the CBI and numerous surveys.
• • That the decline of MFL is set to continue has been charted in the 2009 Languages Survey.
• • Whilst the advent of MFL at Primary level is a positive step I have concerns based on the German experience since 2004 and the lack of training received by Primary teachers who are, for example, offered teaching resources ‘for the non French speaking teacher of French’.
• • That social cohesion is of concern has been highlighted. 

My question is then: how best should we go about ensuring social and economic viability in the UK by promoting languages?

I look forward to learning how important this question is for you and how you, if elected as an MP this year, propose to address these problems.

To make the views of MPs and prospective MPs clear to all, I have set up

www.walloflanguage.org.uk

With your permission I should like to post this letter and your response on the website. 

Yours sincerely,