ABSTRACT
The creation of the single European market and currency, the relaxing of trade restrictions, and closer political and industrial links have highlighted the value of cross-cultural communication, a fundamental part of which is learning languages. Languages enable us to access the potentially greater prospects arising from the growing mutual interconnection and interdependence of communities around the world. The recent resurgence of interest in primary modern foreign languages (MFL) in almost every country in Western Europe reflects a growing realisation that pupils need to be equipped with the competences, attitudes and skills to cope successfully with the social and economic changes which are transforming life in Europe. Primary MFL is not only an investment for the future but it also reflects our values as European citizens and our conception of what it means to be educated.
