Decrease in modern language uptake at A Level
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It’s A Level result day, and it seems that modern languages are not a popular choice for A Level students. No language subjects at all are in the top 10 of subjects studied this year.
European languages such as French, German and Spanish were the most studied languages, but all of these subjects suffered from a drop in the number of candidates studying for the exam. In contrast, Polish, Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese and Russian entries were more popular than ever before.
Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said:
“A strategy designed to promote modern foreign languages is overdue. From investigating the possibility of giving talented language teachers a ‘golden hello’ to setting up advisory networks, we must begin to raise the status of modern foreign languages so that our school leavers can take full advantage of the creative and commercial opportunities the rest of the world has to offer.”
Hopefully, the introduction of languages being taught in primary schools will increase future levels of language qualifications, which will in turn increase the number of language teachers.