Minister steers drive for better language lessons

9th March 2001, 12:00am
SCHOOLS minister Jacqui Smith will spearhead a new drive for better teaching of modern foreign languages. The decision to set up a national steering group, which she will chair, was made after criticism that the Government failed to acton recommendations from the independent Nuffield inquiry into language teaching. Ministers are due to receive advice from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority by the end of the month on teaching languages in primaries.