Research Round-Up

Public agree that an early start is the best way to encourage language learning

During September and November 2007, the European Commission carried out a survey of public opinion on multilingualism and language policy. Over 2,400 people from across Europe completed the online questionnaire, which covered issues ranging from the purpose of language learning to language teaching and the role of language in business and social integration.

The results were overwhelmingly positive not only for language learning in general – 96% agreed that language skills are important for their everyday and professional life – but also for emphasising the significance of an early start, ranked by 78% of respondents as the most important factor for becoming a successful language learner.  

The full report on the consultation, published 15 April 2008, can be downloaded in pdf format from the European Commission website.

UK’s first Early Primary Partial Immersion programme an ‘outstanding success’

In April, researchers from Scottish CILT published the final report from their study of the French Early Primary Partial Immersion (EPPI) programme at Walker Road Primary School, Aberdeen. EPPI is a particular kind of immersion education characterised by teaching children in two languages from their first year of primary. For the Walker Road pupils, this meant receiving some of their education in English and some in French, the first time such a model has been applied to teaching in the UK.

The report brings together nearly three years of research carried out between 2005 and 2008, and its positive findings build on the promising initial evaluation that followed the beginning of the programme in 2000. For instance, comparing the English reading ability of high- and middle-attaining children now in their final year at the school showed that those taught in EPPI classes consistently exceeded the national reading targets for their age and achieved more highly than their peers who were not involved in the scheme. Comments from the EPPI pupils at Walker Road highlight their enthusiasm for learning in English and French. Boys were especially keen that this style of teaching should be available in other schools, an encouraging response that was echoed by parents’ ‘clear wish’ to continue with the programme.

The research also recorded children’s attainment in maths, French and environmental studies. To find out more about EPPI teaching at Walker Road Primary School, please visit the evaluation of Walker Road pages on the Scottish CILT website or download the full report in pdf format