The Association for Language Learning (ALL) welcomes the recently published DfE Social Mobility Plan (December 2017), Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential, recognising that there are many challenges to improving educational experiences and outcomes for young people across the UK. The learning of modern languages provides a valuable opportunity to broaden horizons and enrich intercultural understanding, as well as developing the linguistic skills of the next generation.

The Plan recognises some of the challenges for modern languages, including teacher recruitment and retention, increasing uptake towards the EBacc ambition, and the importance of professional development for teachers.

ALL includes many members with great expertise, who would be keen to support any initiative to further strengthen the teaching and learning of modern languages in our schools, and ALL has a wide range of branches, networks and hubs across the country, which are well placed to contribute to this process.

ALL will continue to liaise closely with key stakeholders in policy development as part of our response to this publication.