Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 47
Publish and implement long-term language strategy for Indo-Pacific languages, including diplomat policy.
Recommendation
We recommend that the FCDO publish and implement a long-term, sustainable language strategy for Indo-Pacific languages, including targets for language learning, encouraging the establishment and/or expansion of language teaching in UK by Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific 67 developing a plan to expand existing university departments or add new departments, as appropriate, supported with additional Government funding, and adjusting diplomat posting and rotation policy to ensure optimal use of foreign languages learned.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government partially agrees, detailing existing FCDO language learning systems and targets, but indicating limitations in adjusting diplomat posting policy. For broader language teaching, it cites existing school programmes and curriculum updates, noting education is a devolved matter, without committing to new university funding.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
47
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
42. The Government partially agrees with the recommendation. The FCDO already operates a flexible language learning system for speaker slots in the Indo-Pacific region which is Directorate- and Post-guided. Our target is for 80% of speaker slots to be filled by a speaker with a valid C1 / C2 language exam pass. Post rotation length is based on a set of criteria reflecting circumstances at post. Focusing only on the language requirement would impact FCDO ability to fill speaker slots. Through operational language teaching for those at posts not in speaker slots and developmental language training in the FCDO’s priority languages, including Mandarin and Japanese, for UK-based staff, the FCDO develops its language capability.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗