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

[Harold Schiffman]

Forwarded From edling at lists.sis.utsa.edu


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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