Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EBacc Subjects and Modern Foreign Languages at GCSE

Monday 24 October 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robin Walker asked about encouraging uptake of EBacc subjects and modern foreign languages at GCSE level.
  • The Government plans to establish a national network of language hubs from autumn 2023.
  • The Government is exploring an Arabic language programme to build on existing infrastructure.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Walker Con
Education
Context

The question addresses the government's efforts to encourage the uptake of EBacc subjects, particularly in modern foreign languages at GCSE level. The background includes previous initiatives such as the successful Mandarin excellence programme.

Question

If he will take steps to encourage the take up of EBacc subjects and modern foreign languages at GCSE level.

Answer from Kelly Tolhurst

The Government remain committed to improving uptake of Ebacc subjects, specifically languages. Building on our modern foreign language pedagogy pilot, we will establish a national network of language hubs from autumn 2023. We are also expanding the successful Mandarin excellence programme, as well as exploring an Arabic language programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding steps to increase uptake was partially addressed but no concrete timeline or mechanism for implementation was provided.

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Q2 Robin Walker Con
Education
Context

The question builds on the previous one, focusing specifically on the progress of developing an Arabic language programme for schools to ensure more pupils have opportunities to study world languages.

Question

The Ebacc pioneered by my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has been highly successful in driving uptake of mathematics, sciences and humanities, but there is much further to go in reaching our targets in modern foreign languages. What progress have Ministers made on the development of an Arabic language programme for schools and on ensuring that more pupils have the chance to study world languages?

Answer from Kelly Tolhurst

My hon. Friend raises an important question about the availability of more world languages, which are important for our young people because the United Kingdom operates in a global market. I can confirm that we are exploring an Arabic language programme, which will aim to build on the existing infrastructure of Arabic teaching. Our language hubs programme will also increase support for home, heritage and community languages.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask regarding progress on developing an Arabic language programme was partially addressed but no concrete timeline or mechanism was provided.

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How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)