Diversification in Modern Language Teaching

Book excerpt: As the effects of European integration become more widely felt the effective teaching of modern languages is moving towards the centre of the educational agenda and more and more schools are considering starting pupils on a first foreign language other than French - a development encouraged by the National Curriculum orders in Modern Languages. Diversification in Modern Language Teaching gives language teachers and heads of department the evidence upon which to decide if diversification is right for them. It looks at the factors which effect children's learning in this area and at the managerial issues both within and outside the school. Throughout it argues that the decision must be a purely educational one, based on pupil motivation and accessibility as well as on particular local strengths among staff and parents.