According to the BBC's Education Correspondent Hannah Richardson,primary school children as young as five are to be given an early insight into the work of William Shakespeare. A government initiative will see schools in England being sent a support package including DVDs of adaptations of his plays in its original language. Guidance in the form of a booklet called Shakespeare For All Ages and Stages will be sent to all schools.
Schools minister Jim Knight says the Bard's work should be enjoyed as much as possible from a young age. I was privileged, twenty-five years ago, to witness some of Mr Knight's own acting on the Edinburgh Fringe. I've been racking my brains to remember one of his Shakespearean roles, but all I can recall are the various animals he portrayed, rather well, in 'The Jungle Book.'
Mr Knight said Shakespeare was the most famous playwright of all time and his work was studied all over the world. "It is fitting that his work is a protected part of the curriculum in the country he came from. Already all children have to study one complete Shakespeare play in secondary school, but I want to go further to ensure that Shakespeare can be enjoyed as much as possible and from a younger age."
Mick Waters of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said: "Teachers can make young people's experience of Shakespeare an inspiring one and nurture a lifelong interest in the playwright, but getting to grips with Shakespeare's verse is a challenge for teachers and young people alike. 'Shakespeare For All Ages and Stages' will help by suggesting a range of innovative and practical ideas to help bring Shakespeare alive in the classroom."
Ian McNeilly from the National Association for the Teaching of English says "Some of the language in the plays would be beyond pupils under a certain age, but the earlier children are introduced to Shakespeare the better. It's all down to the approach. You can bore people of any age with the wrong approach and you can enthuse people of any age with the correct one."
Acting director of education at the Royal Shakespeare Company Jacqui O'Hanlon points out that many secondaries and primaries are already teaching Shakespeare in an inspirational way. "In our manifesto for Shakespeare in schools, 'Stand up for Shakespeare,' we call for young people to do Shakespeare on their feet, see it live and start it earlier."
I thoroughly applaud this initiative, especially the insistence that the language be preserved. It is the language of Shakespeare that makes his plays special, not the stories, which are frequently rather silly. If the language were to be lost...
C: Eh-oh Regan.
R: Eh-oh Cordelia
C: Eh-oh Gonerill
(exit, pursued by a Noo-Noo)...
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