Decline in GCSE language entries ''concerning''
Date posted: 02 Sep 2009
The decline in the number of school pupils taking foreign language subjects at GCSE is a cause for concern, according to one education group.
Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show that the take-up of modern foreign languages has continued to fall.
Although entries in Spanish are said to have remained stable this year, the JCQ believes take-up for French has dropped by 6.6 per cent on 2008 figures, while German is down by 4.2 per cent.
The decline in the number of school pupils taking foreign language subjects at GCSE is a cause for concern, according to one education group.
Figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show that the take-up of modern foreign languages has continued to fall.
Although entries in Spanish are said to have remained stable this year, the JCQ believes take-up for French has dropped by 6.6 per cent on 2008 figures, while German is down by 4.2 per cent.
Responding to the statistics, the Good Schools Guide believes that by making languages non-compulsory, the government may be disadvantaging school pupils.
Sue Fieldman, regional editor of the advice and search group, commented: "In the long-term it is going to have a huge impact on children''s education when they are applying for jobs in this international world. They are going to be minus a language."
She added that pupils must be prepared to live in a multi-cultural, international society and that learning languages can help with this.
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