Wednesday 26 February 2003
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Foreign Language Education in the UK
Daiwa Foundation Japan House
Organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in association with The Japan Society
In 2000, the Nuffield Language Inquiry’s report, ‘Languages – The Next Generation’, pointed to the key significance for Britain of an improved performance in this field and recommended a series of specific measures for early language learning and the promotion of better practice in our schools and Universities as well as in the business community. The Inquiry called also for a strong lead from government. It underlined the changing context internationally and proposed among other things a stronger weighting for non-European languages in the current mix. It is time to assess the degree to which progress is being made, particularly in relation to Japanese language tuition.
About the contributors
Sir John Boyd
Sir John Boyd is Master of Churchill College, Cambridge and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The British Museum. After studying at Cambridge and Yale, he joined the British Diplomatic Service in 1962. His diplomatic career concentrated on East Asia and his overseas postings included several to Hong Kong and China. Sir John completed his diplomatic career as Ambassador to Japan (1992-96). Sir John was Co-Chair of the Nuffield Language Inquiry.
Mana Takatori
Mana Takatori is Director of the Japan Foundation London Language Centre. Ms Takatori joined the Japan Foundation in 1981and received her MA in Comparative Literature & Culture from the University of Tokyo in 1986. She has worked in a variety of posts within the Japan Foundation, including Deputy Director of the Paris office, Assistant Director of the Exhibition Division in the Arts Department and Director of the Fund Managing Division in the Financial Department.
Terry Toney
Terry Toney (chair) is Director of Educational Enterprises for the British Council in London. Mr Toney started his career in 1975 and worked as a teacher for eight years in Sweden, Germany, the UK and Japan. He has an MA in ELT from Lancaster University. Mr Toney joined the British Council in 1983 and has worked in posts in London, Japan, Colombia and Brazil. Most recently he served as Director of the British Council in South Korea (1994-99) and Japan (1999-2002). He has spent a total of eight years in Japan.