New publication on Language Learning Policy, with a focus on German teaching and learning in the early years and primary schools in the UK
Published: 1 October 2021
Hazel Crichton has published a chapter in Early Language Learning in the 21st Century (2021), published by Springer, (Eds. Coady and Zein) discusses language learning policy in the different countries in the UK with a particular focus on German.
Hazel Crichton has published a chapter in Early Language Learning in the 21st Century (2021), published by Springer, (Eds. Coady and Zein) discusses language learning policy in the different countries in the UK with a particular focus on German. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-76251-3_13.
German is traditionally less popular in primary schools than French or Spanish in the UK, perhaps because of a lack of qualified teachers or training opportunities. In this chapter, Hazel Crichton discusses issues regarding quality and consistency of language teaching, where England and Scotland are the only component countries which have policies. These are vague and lack coherence, nor do they specify language(s) children should learn.
The Goethe Institute and other organisations’ work providing materials and resources for learning German and training opportunities are acknowledged, but these are small scale, compared to, for example, the coverage afforded by the Confucius networks. The chapter discusses the situation regarding German teaching and learning and concludes that a coherent programme of teacher training including curriculum, methodology, materials and evaluation goals, underpinned by a clear funding commitment, must be in place to support teachers and primary learners for German to flourish.
First published: 1 October 2021