Even today, with Chinese children learning English from primary school onwards, it's a barrier that can be almost completely impenetrable at times.

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For the first time since the tests began in 1995, the number of pupils leaving primary school with an acceptable grasp of English fell.

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Under-achievement is seen at primary school, where national tests in maths and English show both groups are less likely than others to reach the expected level, and continues up to GCSE level and beyond.

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Monday night's Taro Naw programme reveals widespread frustration and concern among teachers and educationalists, that Welsh primary and secondary school pupils are losing out financially and educationally compared to English pupils.

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The Department for Education said that where English teaching was concerned, the aim was to ensure that pupils left primary school with high standards of literacy.

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Akbar Zab, 10, from Norbury Manor Primary School, Norbury, south London, was praised for reaching one level below the national target in English.

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Ofsted also said that the money the government makes available for summer schools to help disadvantaged children bridge the gap between primary and secondary education could be better spent on extra maths and English classes once they start secondary school.

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The tests are the same for both primary and secondary school teacher trainees, who must also have achieved a grade C or above in GCSE maths and English.

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