JERSEY needs a vision to encourage wider teaching of languages in schools, according to a backbencher.
During question time in the States, Deputy Jonathan Renouf said that such a vision could encourage provision of choice in language learning and encourage more specialist language teachers to come forward.
“We’re a multinational island. We’re trying to make our way in the world. At the moment, it just feels…very much like we’re stuck with what we’ve got, and [there] doesn’t seem to be this strong, really strong path,” Deputy Renouf said.
But his criticisms were rejected by Education Minister Rob Ward, who said that teachers and schools were committed and did have a vision for language teaching, and he defended efforts to encourage the teaching of Portuguese – following questions by Deputy Montfort Tadier – citing the Camões Institute agreement signed between Jersey and Portugal.
However, he added: “There is a practicality in delivery. You have to have someone to deliver it. You have to have children who are interested in doing it, and you have to have the time and space within the school curriculum to do it. If we can magic up time, sir, that’d be great. But that does not mean there is not a vision and support for languages in schools.”
