Schools: Foreign Languages

Debate between Lord Nash and Lord Davies of Stamford

Monday 26th January 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Nash]

I am not entirely sure that I understand the point; I may have to pick it up in correspondence.

[Lord Davies of Stamford (Lab)]

Perhaps I may give the noble Lord another opportunity to answer the very pertinent question from the noble Lord, Lord Cormack, about the proportion of primary school children in England for whom English is not their first language. I think that the Minister inadvertently forgot that question.

[Lord Nash]

We are fully aware of the high proportion of primary school pupils in England for whom English is not their first language. Many schools are suffering with pupils who come to the country not speaking any English at all. With regard to which languages pupils may study at primary school, of course they could study their native language but that would probably not pass muster with Ofsted in a broad and balanced curriculum.