Pupils say languages not key to careers - report

Publication Source

1. Teach languages with grades like music, says ex-minister | The Times

At a glance

Majority of pupils do not believe languages are likely to be needed in their jobs after school, according to a survey
Nearly half say they enjoy learning languages, but only 20% say they plan to take one for GCSE
The British Council surveyed 2,083 pupils from 36 schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The government says 45% of pupils at GCSE level now study at least one foreign language

Modern foreign languages are being shunned by pupils who do not want to study them at GCSE because they do not think they will need them in their future careers, a new report suggests.

A British Council survey of 2,083 pupils at the end of their first year of secondary school across the UK found just 20% saying they planned to study a language at GCSE.

It comes against a backdrop of declining numbers of pupils taking modern foreign language subjects past the age of 14.

The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was committed to taking "long-term decisions" on modern foreign languages "to ensure every child has a brighter future".