Guardian Books podcast: Minority language literature

What riches are to be found in the lesser-known languages of Europe? We talk to Clive Boutle and Paul Gubbins about the pleasures of publishing on the edge, and welcome the poet Gillan Clarke, who is headlining a festival of poetry and music in both Welsh and English

The Guardian 

The English dis-ease: Thomas Docherty muses on the challenges of second-language acquisition

Thomas Docherty muses on the challenges of second-language acquisition

One evening in September 1975, I boarded a train heading south to start a year abroad for my French degree. The journey to Paris, by train and boat, took 22 hours: this was far away. I had rarely been out of Glasgow before, and the escapade was exciting, but also vaguely threatening. I didn't have enough French to survive easily: I could recite Racine, but Phèdre's desire butters no parsnips, nor does it buy a baguette. However, in an environment where there was no access to English, I rapidly acquired a decent working knowledge, and survived.

Times Higher Education 

Fees discount helps students study abroad

The UK ranks just 25th in the world for the number of students studying abroad – are we too fond of our home comforts?

A year abroad may help you achieve that coveted 'global mindset'.

David Willetts, the man responsible for raising tuition fees to £9,000 a year, is usually considered a villain in the student world. So it's a surprise to hear that he has announced a substantial fees discount to encourage us to study abroad for part of our degree.

The Guardian 

Cree publications in the British Library

Blog post about 19th century Cree bible and Cree grammar book in the British Library

British Library blog

Britain's children left behind in languages by the time they're three

Growing numbers of pupils around the world are learning a foreign language at an earlier age – with some starting as three-year-olds, says a major study released today.

At least 11 countries have lowered the age at which children start learning a second language in the past decade, with two of them – Spain and Belgium – introducing the subject for pupils aged three.

The Independent  

IRELAND: Government criticised over scrapping of modern languages scheme

THE GOVERNMENT HAS been criticised by opposition parties for the decision to abolish the Modern Languages in Primary Schools Initiative (MLPSI).

The initiative was set up in 1998 by the then education minister Micheál Martin to introduce modern languages such as Italian, Spanish, German and French, in fifth and sixth class.

thejournal.ie

New national curriculum 'to make languages compulsory from seven'

Learning a foreign language will be compulsory from the age of seven in England's primary schools in an overhaul of the national curriculum, the education secretary is to announce. 

BBC news