Following on from the 2003,
2004 and 2005 surveys of languages at Key Stage 4,
CILT, the National Centre for Languages expanded its language
trends research. The Key Stage 4 survey itself has also been
expanded to give a picture of languages in secondary education.
The 2006 Language Trends Key Stage 4 survey highlighted the
following key findings:
- There is a continued decline in the number of pupils studying a
language in Key Stage 4.
- Although 73% of maintained schools which responded to the
survey are aware of the Government’s requirement to set a benchmark
of between 50% and 90% of pupils taking a language qualification at
Key Stage 4, only 17% have done so.
- Provision and take-up for languages is better on almost all
counts in the independent sector than in the maintained
sector.
- The promotion of languages as an option is largely left to the
Languages department with very little involvement of those in a
position to influence teenagers positively, such as governors,
local business, universities or parents.
- In independent schools, there is more support from careers
staff and parents.
- There is some evidence of innovation in terms of new languages
offered, and some interest in Content and Language Integrated
Learning.
- Provision and take-up for languages in sixth forms is
relatively stable with evidence that the declines seen over the
last decade have bottomed out.
The findings are based on a 54% response achieved from
1,086 schools to date.
Regional
analysis:
The regional analysis focuses on the
maintained schools sample. A total of 959 maintained schools
responded to the survey (61%).