Language Trends 2008 - Secondary

This year’s survey, carried out in September and October 2008 by CILT, the National Centre for Languages with support from the Association for Language Learning and the Independent Schools’ Modern Language Association, is based on responses to a questionnaire sent to a representative sample of 2,000 secondary schools in England
(1,500 maintained schools and 500 independent schools).

The survey has been carried out annually since 2002 to track developments in language provision and take-up in secondary schools. Findings are based on a 43% response
rate from 855 schools.

The 2008 Language Trends Secondary survey highlighted the following key findings:

• The decline in participation in language learning in Key Stage 4 has been halted, although there is little sign yet of any overall increase in numbers.
• However, the picture nationally is one of change and transition in language teaching with much innovation and new practice as schools attempt to revitalise provision.
• There are serious barriers to rebuilding provision for a significant minority of schools – particularly those with high levels of social disadvantage and low educational achievement.
• There are growing regional differences in participation rates in languages with the North East giving particular cause for concern.
• Provision is becoming more diversified. Spanish, Italian and Mandarin continue to rise in popularity, while French and German are still falling though less steeply than before.
• There has been a strong growth in new qualifications. 41% of schools now offer alternatives to GCSE as opposed to 22% in 2006.
• The opportunities for languages within the Phase 1 Diplomas are not being fully exploited.