The Language Network Programme

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What is a Language Network?

The National Consortium for Language Education (NCLE) is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and is delivered by the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society (UCL IOE) in partnership with the British Council and the Goethe-Institut.

The Language Network programme aims to increase the number of pupils studying a language at GCSE and will encourage pupils to continue to study languages at advanced level, nurturing a lifelong interest in languages. 

Our overall mission is to bring about societal change, fostering greater national interest in studying languages and driving more pupils to study them throughout education from primary school onwards.  

Language Networks will seek to increase the number of pupils studying languages, improve the transition from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3, widen uptake of language learning for disadvantaged pupils and increase access to home, heritage, and community languages.    

Tudor Grange Academy Solihull is proud to be a Language Network Lead School.

We believe that knowledge of languages and culture can help to foster universal understanding and contribute to building a peaceful and harmonious world. We need a focus on language skills, so that our country can take its place in a globalised economy; widening opportunities for our students, community and society.

Funded by the Department for Education and led by the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), Language Networks are re-energising language learning in state-maintained Primary and Secondary schools across England.  

Language Networks bring together language teachers to improve language education in England. Harnessing the expertise within their region, the Networks will develop training and spread excellent practice to encourage more pupils to study languages.  

How does the Language Network Programme Work?

The Languages Network programme focuses on French, German and Spanish learning as they make up over 90% of GCSE entries.  It also recognises the value of home, heritage, and community languages, signposting to supporting materials and good practice, and working with supplementary schools.

We work to provide:

  • High quality language teaching in schools.
  • Increasing languages uptake at GCSE.
  • Levelling up opportunities for disadvantaged pupils.
  • Emphasis on improving the performance of boys in MFL.
  • Better recognition of, and support for, the rich diversity of languages spoken in addition to English.