Latest news
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Armageddon isn't upon us
The meaning of words is seeping away as our language changes. But it's not the end of the world.
(The Guardian, August 31st, 2006)
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Tongue-tied
It's Britain's dirty little secret, a question touched on every year and then swiftly brushed under the carpet: our disappearing language skills.
(The Guardian, August 26th, 2006)
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Why Britain should rise to the challenge of language
The National Union of Teachers (NUT) yesterday described the rapid decline of modern languages in our schools as a "complete disaster". It was commenting on the fall in the number of pupils taking French (13.2 per cent) and German (14.2 per cent) at GCSE during the last academic year.
(The Telegraph, August 25th, 2006)
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Speaking in tongues
As ministers worry over which eastern Europeans ought to have the right to work in the UK, few ask whether young Britons might one day want to take advantage of Europe's single market and work elsewhere within the EU.
(The Guardian, August 25th, 2006)
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Tongue-tied
Signs of progress in GCSEs but action is required on languages.
(The Times, August 25th, 2006)
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Teachers call for a foreign language renaissance
Teachers' unions have called for the compulsory teaching of modern foreign languages after GCSE results showed that the numbers studying French and German were in decline.
(The Times, August 25th, 2006)
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Languages 'at point of no return'
Take-up of foreign languages at GCSE is in "freefall" with no sign of any reverse, a head teachers' leader says.
(BBC News, August 24th, 2006)
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Joke generator raises a chuckle
Software that helps children with poor language skills construct jokes has been created by researchers.
(BBC News, August 23rd, 2006)
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Yakkin' Geordie is mint, pet
Newcastle city council has told its staff to think carefully before they use certain Geordie terms of endearment. Simon Donald, creator of Viz, explains why Tynesiders love their language.
(The Guardian, August 18th, 2006)
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Voicing concerns
Whether it's tone, speed, pitch or accent, how you speak can have a big impact in how you get on at work.
(The Guardian, August 14th, 2006)
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Views sought on boosting Gaelic
The first ever National Plan for Gaelic aimed at promotion of the language is being put out for public consultation.
(BBC News, August 13th, 2006)
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We're all speaking Geek
The world wide web, which turned 15 this week, has given us a fantastic outpouring of new words.
(The Times, August 11th, 2006)
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Primary pupils showing passion for languages...
C'est formidable! The end of compulsory language teaching in secondary schools is leading to a renaissance in linguistic ability in a nation notoriously averse to acquiring a foreign tongue.
(The Times, August 11th, 2006)
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Texting in Welsh just got easier
Frustrated Welsh language texters can try out a new predictive text programme at the National Eisteddfod.
(BBC News, August 10th, 2006)
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Growing lack of English in schools
At least half the children in more than 1,000 primary schools in England do not have English as their first language.
(The Telegraph, August 6th, 2006)
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...and then you have to master grammar
As evidence mounts that standards in English have fallen, the new Compact Oxford English Dictionary for Students is a timely publication.
(The Times, August 4th, 2006)
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Pupils 'cannot be called clever'
Teachers should stop calling bright pupils "clever" in case they are thought "uncool" by classmates, a union hears.
(BBC News, August 3rd, 2006)
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Teachers 'need voice training'
Teachers should receive voice training to help them perform effectively in the classroom, a union suggests.
(BBC News, August 1st, 2006)
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What's so special about Yorkshire?
Tuesday 1 August is Yorkshire Day, when men and women from across this historic county gather to celebrate their... well, Yorkshireness - leaving outsiders baffled about why they have such a high opinion of themselves.
(BBC News, August 1st, 2006)
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