Language teaching in primary schools doubles

Language teaching in primary schools has doubled since 2002 it has been revealed.

Research from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) made the revelation and found that French is the most commonly taught language in schools.

Schools minister Jim Knight described the research as "excellent news", which means that a growing number of children will get the opportunity to learn a second language from a young age.

He added: "I've seen in schools the pride on children's faces when they can count to ten and tell the time in a foreign language - it does wonders for their confidence."

According to the NFER, 70 per cent of primary schools now teach a foreign language compared with 44 per cent in 2002.

Furthermore, a small number of schools (under three per cent) are offering more niche languages such as Chinese, Urdu and Japanese.

In related news, the government has pledged to invest £23 million in helping to launch the new diploma qualifications in rural areas.