AROUND a fifth of primary schools could fail to meet a Government target for all pupils to be able to learn a foreign language from next year, research has found.
Up to a quarter may not be ready in 2011, when it will become compulsory for all seven to 11-year-olds to be taught a language, the study by the National Foundation for Education Research found.
The three-year study of local authorities and thousands of primaries looked at how well schools are progressing offering languages during class time.
In 2002, a target was set for all children at Key Stage 2 (seven to 11-year-olds) to have an entitlement to learn a language by 2010.
They found the vast majority of schools said they would meet the statutory requirement in 2011, but added it is possible that up to a quarter may not be ready for this.
