Languages in secondary schools www.all-languages.org.uk Languages in secondary schools

Secondary phase There has been a growth in the number of pupils attending independent, privately run fee-paying schools. In this country we have around half a million pupils in private education.

Compulsory secondary education (ages 11-16) is split into Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. Foreign language learning is a compulsory subject only at Key Stage 3, which roughly corresponds to ages 11-14.

Languages French German Spanish Italian Russian Mandarin Arabic ================= Asian languages Others

Compulsory subjects 14-16 years English Maths Science Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Physical education Citizenship

Languages “Entitlement” since 2004 If a child wishes to learn a foreign language at Key Stage 4 then the school must be able to offer a language as part of the curriculum.

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)   In 2002 over half a million pupils were entered for a language GCSE In 2010 this number had fallen to just over 300,000.

The social divide Fee-paying schools have high participation in language learning with around 90% of schools insisting on pupils continuing to study a language. In the state sector, highest levels of participation are in schools which select by ability or which cater for pupils from advantaged social backgrounds. Schools in areas of deprivation with significant numbers of pupils from poor backgrounds have very low participation in language learning, some as low as 4%

What the Secretary of State says "Learning a foreign language, and the culture that goes with it, is one of the most useful things we can do to broaden the empathy and imaginative sympathy and cultural outlook of children….Understanding a foreign language helps you understand English better…… There is no one who is fluent in a foreign language who isn't a masterful user of their own language.“ Michael Gove, October 2011

The E-Bac Five A* - C GCSE grades in English, maths, science, a language, a humanities subject.

Breaking the cycle of decline Strong, coherent policy Continuity Make the best of our linguistic potential