30 years of language teaching - Eric Hawkins

Published to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the formation of the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research (CILT), this volume reviews the transformation seen in language teaching in the UK since 1966, and looks forward to the challenges of a multilingual Britain. Twenty-five contributors consider every level from primary school to university and beyond. There is a review of research as well as a statistical survey of boys and girls' performance in examinations at age 16 and 18 between 1966 and 1996. The national need for language skills in business is considered. Britain's 180-plus community languages and the positions of Welsh and Gaelic are examined and a special section looks at developments in Scotland. The book also includes in-depth studies of recent developments, and raises a number of questions about language teaching in the UK.;The book is aimed at those involved in modern language teaching in the UK. It should be of interest to teachers in schools, both at primary and secondary levels, and in universities. It should also be suitable for those responsible for training teachers, both at HE level and in schools, as well as those outside the profession, including school administrators and governors, parents, and all decision-makers at local and national level.