In my article “Learning new languages is now a primary concern” (26 April), a particular emphasis was underplayed in the editing of the piece.

The Languages Working Group claimed that “there is a considerable body of evidence which indicates that young children learn more easily than older”.

I indicated in the article that no references are provided to evidence urging caution, but it is important that readers also know that, despite the report’s claim that there is a “considerable body of evidence”, it appears that there are no references even to support the claim that “young children learn more easily than older”.

One might have expected a national centre for languages (SCILT) to have carried out a literature review, and the working group to have given their references for such claims.

Dr Daniel Tierney, reader in language education, University of Strathclyde.