Putting the world into world class education: action plan update
( DCSF , June 2007)

Progress report on work towards Putting the world into world class education. The ability to communicate with speakers of other languages is highlighted as ‘an essential component of international strategy’ (p.11).

Evidence of progress includes teacher training via the primary languages PGCE, the intercultural strand in the Key Stage 2 Framework for languages and foreign language assistants working in primary schools. The report also cites research indicating 71% of primary schools delivering or planning to deliver languages to date. For current figures, see Primary languages statistics.

Putting the world into world class education: an international strategy for education, skills and children's services
(DfES, November 2004) 

A document outlining how the international dimension can be integrated into the English education system with the aim of ‘equipping children, young people and adults for life in a global society and working in a global economy’.

Priorities for action include emphasising the global dimension in children and young people’s learning and developing competence in other languages.

Developing the global dimension in the school curriculum
( DfID , March 2005)

DfID guidance for schools on how the global dimension can be integrated into national curriculum. The guidance outlines the key concepts of global citizenship and sets out objectives for different educational phases. These include valuing community languages at Foundation Stage and, in Key Stage 2, learning a language other than English in connection with learning about the culture in the countries and communities where it is spoken.