Language assistants' future in jeopardy

Last week 50,000 people protested in defence of future students whose careers will be blighted by increased tuition fees ( Report , 17 November). But thousands more have reason to be indignant about the damage being done to their own prospects as a result of the negligence of the coalition government. For months the British Council has been awaiting a "ministerial steer" as to whether it can go ahead with the language teaching assistantship exchange programme which it co-ordinates with its opposite numbers oversesas. The scheme enables young people to take up language teaching posts in countries whose language they are learning. The work placement is a paid position to defray the cost of study abroad; it offers classroom experience to those considering a teaching career, engagement with workplace disciplines and immersion in a foreign language; and it enhances intercultural skills. The UK gains not only from the experience gained by British students and other young participants, but also from the reciprocal agreements whereby foreign students live and work in Britain and form lasting links with British people and institutions. It beggars belief that the so-called minister for education should be so blind to the scheme's benefits that his officials are hesitating over funding the British Council to play its part. Normally, at this stage in the annual administrative cycle, candidates have been interviewed and references written. The delay in initiating preparations for 2011-12 risks creating serious problems later and casts further discredit on the government. Professor David Walker Department of French, University of Sheffield