Press Release

New language surveys highlight challenge for Dearing

1 November 2006

Two new surveys of languages in schools and FE colleges highlight the urgency of Lord Dearing’s work to review policy on languages and see what more can be done to encourage 14–16-year-olds to continue a language course leading to a recognised qualification.

Responses to a questionnaire sent to secondary schools this autumn show that a majority of maintained schools now have less than 50% of pupils studying a language in Key Stage 4. In nearly a third (29%), fewer than 25% of students continue with a language after 14. The report shows that few schools have as yet set the ‘benchmark’ of between 50% and 90% of Key Stage 4 pupils studying a language, requested in a letter to schools last January by the then Schools’ Minister Jacqui Smith. Only 17% of schools where not all pupils study a language have so far set a benchmark and this declines to 5% in schools where dropout from languages has been the most severe.

Research in the FE sector shows that students who study vocational courses such as Travel and Tourism or Business are unlikely to be offered the chance to study a language. Fewer than half of UK FE colleges offer languages with vocational courses and this proportion is declining. It is estimated that students studying a language represent less than 1% of all students on vocational courses.

Isabella Moore, Director of CILT, the National Centre for Languages said,

‘Young people need a strong basis in languages to be able to access international experience and to have confidence as players in a competitive jobs market. There are advantages, and there are skills which should not be the preserve of an elite. Our research shows that where senior management, careers staff and outside speakers are involved in promoting this message, take-up for languages improves.’

Linda Parker, Director of the Association for Language Learning, which supported the survey said,

‘Languages are too important to simply be allowed to sink or swim in a competitive curriculum. We know Lord Dearing is looking at incentives for both schools and students to improve take up, and these surveys show just how important that is.’

Report summaries and statistical data are available on-line at  www.cilt.org.uk/key/languagetrends/2006