Sir, - As a teacher of English in a Finnish primary school, I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Richard Bruton's recent assessment that foreign languages should become a core subject for primary schools.
In Finnish elementary schools, English and Swedish (which is the second official language) have been compulsory since the 1960s. German and Russian are optional. The efforts, and achievements made at teaching foreign languages at primary level in Finland are reflected in the procedures used; use of native language teachers, language education videos and interactive CD ROMS, friendship and project links with primary schools in other countries (partly via the Internet), English language homepages on the school web site, and extra foreign language tuition after school hours, to mention but a few.
The rewards of such an early start are evident when the pupils progresses to secondary level education. I firmly believe that a facility in one language helps children to acquire another, especially at a very young age. Providing an early facility in languages is certainly proving its worth in Finland. - Yours, etc.,
40740 Jyvskyl, Finland.