Latest stats for ‘lesser-taught’ languages

The wonderful Teresa Tinsley, who writes Language Trends each year and is a champion for language learning, has prepared this chart for us.

Showing entries for GCSE and A level examinations in all 16 languages that currently have GB exams available, the chart also shows trends in the numbers entering those exams since 2011.

You will remember that we all had to campaign very hard in 2016 to retain the range of languages with an GB exam available. Working together we were successful in convincing Pearson Edexcel to take over exams that were due to be shelved.

But the hard work has only just begun.

The new exams are being developed now, they will be available for teaching next year and for examination the year after. We need to ensure that teachers are properly trained to teach the new syllabus, we need to ensure children can be presented for those exams in their mainstream schools or join together in language communities to offer centralised examination centres in the way the Tamil community has done.  And you need to convince your pupils and their parents to continue their language education so that they can take the exams.

Here are the GCSE entries, you can check A levels on Teresa’s blog