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'Sharp fall' in language GCSEs 'Sharp fall' in language GCSEs
(about 10 hours later)
Fewer than half of pupils in England took a modern European language at GCSE this year, according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats.Fewer than half of pupils in England took a modern European language at GCSE this year, according to figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats.
In 2007 the number of children taking French, German and Spanish had fallen to 48% - down from 83% in 2000.In 2007 the number of children taking French, German and Spanish had fallen to 48% - down from 83% in 2000.
The Lib Dems said it was the first time that fewer than half of school children were learning a European language.The Lib Dems said it was the first time that fewer than half of school children were learning a European language.
The government said it was taking action, such as compulsory languages in primary schools, to reverse the trend.The government said it was taking action, such as compulsory languages in primary schools, to reverse the trend.
Persian and MandarinPersian and Mandarin
The Liberal Democrats education spokesman David Laws accused the government of presiding over the destruction of languages in schools.The Liberal Democrats education spokesman David Laws accused the government of presiding over the destruction of languages in schools.
The new figures, obtained via a Parliamentary written answer, come after curriculum changes in 2003 meant students were no longer required to take a modern language at GCSE.The new figures, obtained via a Parliamentary written answer, come after curriculum changes in 2003 meant students were no longer required to take a modern language at GCSE.
When the requirement was dropped, the number of teenagers studying modern European languages plummeted.When the requirement was dropped, the number of teenagers studying modern European languages plummeted.
It had been suggested that an increase in those taking languages like Persian and Mandarin would begin to make up the shortfall.It had been suggested that an increase in those taking languages like Persian and Mandarin would begin to make up the shortfall.
But the proportion of GCSE entries for world languages has fallen to its lowest level for fourteen years.But the proportion of GCSE entries for world languages has fallen to its lowest level for fourteen years.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "Whilst we are encouraged by the increase in numbers of pupils taking Spanish and other foreign languages, we have been concerned for sometime about the decline in language learning in secondary schools.
"That is why we commissioned Lord Dearing to look at this.
"He published his report earlier this year and we are in the process of implementing his recommendations which we are confident will reverse this trend."