Abstract

This seminar, featuring contributions from contributors to a Special Issue of The Language Learning Journal, explores the implications of theFrancis Review’s Interim Report[i] from the perspective of languages education, but relevant to all curriculum areas.The aim of the Special Issue is to present a rapid review of available evidence to inform the Curriculum and Assessment Review process, aspolicy recommendations are elaborated and implemented. The contributions respond to issues raised in the interim report but alsobeyond.For example, the Interim Report asserts a “lack of efficacy in Modern Foreign Language teaching in primary and transition to secondary” orthat “securing mastery in a subject is vital for raising standards and enabling future expertise”. The underlying evidence base is notpresented in the report. Contributors to the seminar will discuss aspects of the available research evidence base and make somerecommendations for the Review Panel.Topic areas will include the efficacy of top-down policy making, of languages for all, an exploration of the relative merits of compulsion forlanguages on the curriculum, the role of knowledge and possible alternative qualifications to the GCSE .There will be plenty of opportunity for debate and time for questions to the presenters.