UK Schools Experience Large Decline in Foreign Language Learning

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Category: Education/Family

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. opt / ɑːpt / (v) – to make a decision or to choose
    Example:

    She opted not to attend afternoon classes yesterday because she was lazy.


  2. perception / pɚˈsɛpʃən / (n) – the idea or understanding of something or someone
    Example:

    He has a negative perception of French because many of his friends failed their French classes last year.


  3. discharge / dɪsˈtʃɑɚʤ / (v) – to remove someone from a job
    Example:

    The university had to discharge thirty music teachers because there were not enough students taking music classes.


  4. waning / ˈweɪ.nɪŋ / (adj) – decreasing or becoming weaker
    Example:

    Teachers are doing something about the waning interest of students by making classes more fun and exciting.


  5. adept / əˈdɛpt / (adj) – very good or skilled
    Example:

    He is so adept at learning languages. He can speak a total of 12 languages.


Article

Read the text below.

Foreign language learning in UK secondary schools has dropped significantly, according to research by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).


Over 2,000 secondary schools participated in the BBC’s survey. The findings reveal that the number of students taking General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) courses in foreign languages has declined by as much as 50% since 2013. The GCSE is a set of qualifications for secondary students in the United Kingdom. Under this system, foreign language courses are considered optional.


The survey also found that German and French classes are the least popular among the available foreign languages. In contrast, there are more students now who are opting to study Spanish and Mandarin than in 2013.


According to the survey responses, student perception of learning a foreign language is the main reason for the decline. Students think that language classes are too difficult. Additionally, schools reported that some pupils are not interested in learning languages.


Due to the drop in the number of students, budgets for foreign language classes were cut in many UK schools. Many teaching specialists have also been discharged in the last five years.


Business groups are alarmed because the drop in foreign language learning is causing the UK youth’s waning language skills. Matthew Fell, chief policy director for a large business organization, said that there is an increasing demand for foreign language skills in workplaces. Fell added that if the decline is not addressed, young individuals from the United Kingdom would have a lower global competitiveness and become less adept at interacting with people from other cultures.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Aside from difficulty and lack of interest, what do you think are other reasons why students do not choose foreign languages as subjects (e.g. being unable to use it in daily situations, putting more focus on required subjects)?
• What initiatives can UK schools implement to encourage students to take foreign language classes? Discuss.

Discussion B

• What are the advantages of learning a foreign language as early as secondary school? Explain.
• Aside from English, what other languages do you think people should learn? Why?