Number of state school pupils learning languages 'in decline'

January 27 2011

Fewer students in state schools are learning foreign languages this year compared to 2009/10, new research has revealed.

A study carried out by Cilt, National Centre for Languages, found that the proportion of schools where more than 50 per cent of year 11 students study a language has dropped by five per cent over the last 12 months.

In contrast, figures have remained steady in the independent sector, the BBC reports.

It was revealed that French is still the most popular language in British schools, with German and Spanish also in demand.

Pupils at private schools are more likely to study languages such as Mandarin and Japanese, compared to their state school counterparts.

"This has implications for the opportunities which will be open to them in future," the Cilt report stated.

It was revealed last year that students hoping to gain the new GCSE English baccalaureate qualification must achieve an A* to C-grade in a language, as well as four other core subjects.

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