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Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 08:17 GMT 09:17 UK

No of course not, the only compulsory subjects should be Maths, Science and English language (but definitely not literature).

These are the only skills that are key to everyone's life (many people may not realise the importance of maths and science but it teaches logical thinking and deduction).

Languages will only ever need to be used by a minority of students who learn them so why waste precious schooling time forcing those who'll never use them on it? The same goes for religious education

Ian, Leeds

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 08:16 GMT 09:16 UK

Since English is the main language of commerce around the world, why not promote the teaching of English in other countries. The 'tower of Babel' is an unnecessary restraint on international understanding and trade. Lets promote 'one language one world'.
And to the learned Doctor from India, recent research shows that the animal world has its own local languages and dialects amongst otherwise identical species.

Barry P, Havant

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 08:16 GMT 09:16 UK

Judging from many comments the skill most needed is 'reading' - the question was 'Should language learning be compulsory in schools?' The short answer is 'Yes'. Children learn more easily than adults and don't have their 'shyness'.The critical thing is to teach children to communicate in another language - leave the grammar etc until later. It is also good to spend time in the country of the chosen language. A second language is a social skill second only to playing a musical instrument.

Garthwaite Watts

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 08:11 GMT 09:11 UK

A good idea would be for us all to learn Esperanto. It would be easier to communicate world wide. The world with one tongue what a great thought.

[jagman1], Liverpool, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 08:06 GMT 09:06 UK

Languages, starting with English, should be taught. We are too insular, apparently believing that all foreigners should understand us if we shout loud enough. The widespread use of English is used as an excuse for us to make little or no effort.

stephen toft, thieusies, Belgium

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:59 GMT 08:59 UK

Most teenagers can't even speak English so that might be where to start.

Otis B Driftwood, Chipping Sodbury

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:59 GMT 08:59 UK

English children will always have difficulty in learning other languages. They cant even speak their own language properly.
A G Leeds

Awesome Geronimo, Leeds

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:58 GMT 08:58 UK

Teach children to speak English properly first otherwise what chance do they have of being able to speak a second language properly?

Lucy Martin, Belfast

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:57 GMT 08:57 UK

I think there's a certain danger in our current curriculum of cluttering it up with a great many things that, in reality, only children who enter into a specific career path are likely to use.

The government needs to abandon the idea that every child has the same ability and aptitude. Standardising the education system towards a mean doesn't help struggling pupils to keep up, and it doesn't help bright pupils to excel.

Allan, Paisley

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:55 GMT 08:55 UK

The reality is, that English is the de facto world language. Which is why most non-english speaking nations view learning it as important as learning their native language, maths and science.

Why we seem intent on apologising for this fact is beyond me.

Learning French, German or Spanish is great idea for our kids and will undoubtedly open up opportunities for them in life. But, it's just not as essential for native english speakers to learn a foreign language.

Mark Taylor, Leicester, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:54 GMT 08:54 UK

I think French and Spanish should be offered in schools. Not compulsory though. Making children learn languages makes them less likely to actually learn and remember. Why not offer it as an extra lesson without any tests or grades? When they finish school they can then get a certificate stating which language they have learnt and at what level they are. Bring in native speakers of this language so that actual conversation can take place.

N, Bristol

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:53 GMT 08:53 UK

So teaching foreign languages are becoming compulsory in primary education but no longer in secondary? Does this mean the children will be proficient enough to take any qualifications in foreign languages before they leave primary school?

I think the teaching of foreign languages should start before primary age.

Sue

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:53 GMT 08:53 UK

At primary school, my daughter's language learning was haphazard to say the best - one teacher was trying to learn Spanish herself and passed snippets on as she learned them. However, we started a family project to learn Greek as we intend to retire there, so she chats in that quite happily. Now in year 7, she's doing very well at French - just won a prize - and as my husband and I already speak it we practise at home.

Megan, Cheshire UK

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:52 GMT 08:52 UK

Children of different nationalities are taught to speak Spanish in Spanish schools, so its only right that different languages are taught in English schools. The attitude that all should learn English is past its sell by date.. A G Leeds

Awesome Geronimo, Leeds

Added: Wednesday, 8 July, 2009, 07:50 GMT 08:50 UK

In Britain our second language skills are woefully inadequate. We live in a global village and it is time to prepare ourselves for it. The gift of a second language doesn't just build confidence, it is a good intellectual challenge too.

Eddie D, Burnham on Crouch