UUP MEP says more must be done to encourage students to study Foreign Languages
Following statistics released this week which show that the take up of foreign languages at GCSE level is declining at an alarming speed, Ulster Unionist Member of the European Parliament Jim Nicholson has said that more must be done to encourage students to study foreign languages at GCSE level.
The statistics which were revealed this week as thousands of students received their GCSE results show that GCSE entries in German were down by 14.2%, while French declined by 13.2% and Spanish by 0.5%.
Speaking today Mr Nicholson said,
“It is extremely worrying that the numbers of students taking a foreign language to GCSE level are rapidly declining. Parents and pupils should be made aware that studying a foreign language can significantly enhance employability and aid personal development.
“The competitive global economy in which we all must opeate means that businesses and corporations all over the world are keen to recruit people with language skills. Recent surveys have even indicated that language graduates are less likely to be unemployed than those who study other disciplines.
“More and more of us are taking advantage of cheap flights to Europe yet many people fail to recognise the value of learning a foreign language. You can travel to almost any country in Europe and most locals will be able to have a conversation with you in English, yet our basic skills in foreign languages are sadly lacking.
“Two years ago the Government abolished the requirement that pupils had to study a foreign language at GCSE level. It was a serious mistake to sideline languages in this way and I would urge the Government to rethink their position. A much higher emphasis must be put, in both primary and secondary schools, on learning a modern language and in addition we must find new and exciting ways of teaching languages which are more attractive to students.”