Early contact with a second national language and Switzerland's regional language cultures is important, it said, because Switzerland is a Willensnation, a nation united by choice.

Language teaching is a prerequisite for Switzerland's competitiveness, according to a statement issued on Friday following the annual meeting of the Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education in Lucerne. All pupils should benefit from good teaching in the national languages and English, it said.

+ Young Swiss must learn second national language, says government

At this event, the Conference adopted a declaration on the coordination of language teaching. This is because the review of the attainment of basic competences in the second national language identified a need to adapt educational objectives and curricula.

Language teaching must be intensified by increasing exchange activities, it said.

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