Language Trends 2005

A survey of language trends at Key Stage 4 for 2005, has recently been published. The survey, based on a questionnaire sent out to 2000 randomly chosen secondary schools, was carried out by CILT, the National Centre for Languages supported by the Association for Language Learning and the Independent Schools Modern Languages Association.

Sixty percent of the schools chosen have responded to date, and these preliminary findings are based on their responses.

Key findings

  • The proportion of maintained schools with languages as a compulsory element in the KS4 curriculum has further declined: from one-third in 2004 to one-quarter this year.
  • Decreases in pupil numbers have been most strongly felt in French and German, however, Spanish take-up is increasing. While fewer schools offer Italian and Russian, they frequently report increases in pupil numbers.
  • Schools in the lowest quintile of educational achievement are less likely to offer languages as a compulsory subject (7%) whilst schools in the highest quintile are most likely to do so (63%).
  • Schools in the South East (40%) and London (35%) are most likely to maintain compulsory status for languages, while those in the North West (18%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (21%) are least likely to do so.
  • Very low proportions of pupils are studying more than one language.

 

You can download the full report (pdf 94KB) and find out more about:

  • Factors influencing the take-up of languages.
  • Examples of how schools are bucking the trend.
  • The offering of non GCSE language courses
  • Conclusion
  • Support for languages, including some useful quotations.

 

Download Languages Trends 2005

 

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