UK: Kids say 'non' to learning a new language

[Francis Hult]

The Star

 

Kids say 'non' to learning a new language


THOUSANDS of Sheffield teenagers are turning their backs on the chance to learn a foreign language - with numbers taking GCSEs in subjects like French, German and Spanish plummeting.

 

Studying a GCSE language course stopped being compulsory in 2004 and in 2007 there were almost 2,000 fewer pupils taking the subjects.

The fall in entries from boys has been particularly sharp - they shrank to 857 - more than 40 per cent over a two year period.

Pass rates among students taking GCSEs have risen sharply as a result, rising by more than 25 per cent in three years - suggesting pupils who do not excel at languages are no longer being entered by their schools in those courses. Secondary schools are required to make GCSE language courses available to all students.

 

Full story:

http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Kids-say-non-to-learning.3785283.jp

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