In his Languages Review 2007, Lord Dearing said, '… we should, and do, make the case for more vocationally orientated courses, if all or most pupils are to continue with the often-demanding task of learning a language, the subject matter must really engage them here and now.'

Colleges of further education have been successfully teaching languages linked to vocational subjects for many years and this is now happening increasingly in schools. CILT's Language Trends survey showed that the number of CILT's Language Trends survey showed that the number of schools offering alternative accreditation had risen from 22% in 2006 to 41% in 2008. There is evidence to show that linking languages to other subjects can be a powerful motivational tool for young people and that it also gives them a useful skill to give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs.