Fewer British students learning foreign languages

Posted 25 Aug 2010

Fewer students in Britain are choosing to study foreign languages at a young age, this year's GCSE results have revealed.

This is the first year that foreign languages have not been among the ten most popular subject choices for 15 and 16-year-olds since the current examination system was brought in to replace O-levels.

However, a limited capacity with foreign language should not preclude travel overseas, with TEFL courses that allow people to teach English abroad a great way to build up the confidence to visit a country without speaking the language.

Teachers need only speak English through the scheme and will have a great opportunity to become fluent in another language while abroad.

Andrew Hall, chief executive of exam board AQA, said that the publication of 2009/10 GCSE results was "quite a sad day for languages", due to the lower entrant numbers.

The drop in recent years is partially attributable to the decision by the last government to make foreign languages optional at GCSE level.

Category: Teaching and Learning