Teenagers are to be given the opportunity to learn "economically useful" languages such as Mandarin alongside French and German, the Government has confirmed. Secondary schools in England will be given greater freedom to teach a wider choice of languages as part of proposals to update the curriculum. Ministers have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to review what pupils aged 11 to 14 should study. Education Secretary Alan Johnson is now likely to accept their recommendations that major world languages such as Mandarin and Urdu be offered alongside traditional favourites such as French, German and Spanish, the Department for Education and Skills said.
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