Sharp Fall In Language GCSEs
Fewer than half of pupils in England took a modern European language at GCSE this year, according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats. In 2007 the number of children taking French, German and Spanish had fallen to 48% - down from 83% in 2000.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: “Whilst we are encouraged by the increase in numbers of pupils taking Spanish and other foreign languages, we have been concerned for sometime about the decline in language learning in secondary schools.”
The government said it was taking action, such as compulsory languages in primary schools, to reverse the trend.
5th Nov 2007
