Interim findings for Born Global launched at 2014 Language Show Live

Interim findings of the British Academy’s policy research project, Born Global: Rethinking language policy for 21st century Britain, was the topic for discussion at a special event at the Language Show Live, Olympia this Friday 17 October. The Born Global Symposium saw two panels debate the interim findings and what they mean going forward.  

In response to the report, Minister of State at the Department for Education, Nick Gibb MP said: 
 
“It is encouraging to see business recognising the importance of learning a language. Our plan for education is helping to ensure that our education system produces better qualified linguists. 
 
Already the EBacc measure has reversed the downward trend in GCSE entries in a modern language, with the number of entries increasing by more than 20% between 2012 and 2013, and the proportion of the cohort that this represents rising from 41 to 48%. 
 
We hope that over time this will continue through into A-level and beyond, to ensure more young people can speak and write a foreign language. This important preparation for life in modern Britain will allow them to interact with native users of the language in a whole range of contexts, including business.”
 
Read the interim report and find out more about the project here.
 
The full report will be published in Spring 2015. 
 
The Born Global Symposia at the Language Show Live at Olympia, London is part of the British Academy and Guardian 2014 Language Festival. Running from 17 October – 28 November 2014, the UK-wide festival celebrates the importance of language learning and the UK's diverse cultural heritage. You can read more about the festival and how to get involved on the festival website.