One size fits all

The latest wizard wheeze from the Government is today's announcement: "Seven year olds to take languages".

"I want languages to be at the heart of learning", Mr Johnson said. 

"The earlier you start learning a language the better. Making language study compulsory from 7 to 14 will give pupils seven years to build up their knowledge, confidence and experience."

Now while I'm sure lots of people think this is a good thing, it's surely worth contrasting this lurch towards compulsion with the government's stated wish to personalise the school system to the needs of each child. I don't suppose Mr Johnson has even considered the possibility that some children might not be cut out for learning a foreign language. Their time might be better spent learning, say, literacy or numeracy? Or speaking?  Not according to Mr Johnson.

He was on the radio this morning, telling us that language learning would be for at least one hour a week (!), and rhapsodising at length about all the exciting languages that would be seen in schools in the future. Apparently schoolchildren will become proficient in Mandarin Chinese on the back of their hour of teacher time. Colour me unconvinced. 

The problem with this announcement is that I'm sure it will have plenty of parents squealing with excitement (if they have not been jaded by the last ten years of exciting new initiatives). But if it ever comes to pass it will fail the children - even the bright ones. When will they learn that, no matter how hard you try, one size never fits all.

Comments

[Tristan Mills]

In NE London where my father teaches (and my mother used to) teaching English to some pupils is the priority.
Getting many children to speak and write good English is enough of a difficulty.

Of course, next month we'll be told that every child must reach an even higher standard of mathematics and more time must be spent teaching that.

I think my father is glad to be retiring. Teaching is no longer about inspiring children to learn and filling them with a love of knowledge alongside some of the skills needed in later life - its now about taking tests, reaching national targets and being replacement parents.

[Bishop Hill]

I find it very depressing myself, and I don't have to go to school every day. Frankly I think the education system is finished in its present form.

We still think about taking the children out and home educating, but the eldest enjoys the social side at the moment.