Explanatory note

Section 3(2)(b) of the Education Reform Act 1988 provides that a modern language specified in an Order made by the Secretary of State shall be one of the foundation subjects which comprise the National Curriculum. Such a language is to be studied by pupils in the third and fourth key stages, that is to say from the beginning of the school year when the majority of pupils in the class reach the age of twelve until the majority of those pupils cease to be of compulsory school age.

This Order specifies those languages. Those in the Schedule which are one of the official languages of the European Community are foundation subjects in any circumstances. Those other languages listed will only be foundation subjects if the school concerned also offers pupils who are required to study a modern foreign language as part of the National Curriculum the alternative of studying at least one of the official languages of the European Community as a foundation subject.

This Order replaces the Education (National Curriculum) (Modern Foreign Languages) Order 1989. There are no changes of substance only changes of format.