University of ExeterA campaign has been launched to tackle a decline in the number of young people learning modern languages at A-level in south west state schools.
A network of schools in Devon and Cornwall has joined forces with the University of Exeter to make modern language studies “more accessible”.
The university said it would lead the Languages For All programme across the south west following a successful pilot in the south east.
More than 20 schools in Devon and Cornwall have signed up, and more than 250 Year 11 (GCSE) students and teachers will travel to Exeter’s Streatham campus for a taster day.
Professor Liz Jones, deputy vice-chancellor for education and student experience at the university, said: “We are thrilled to be leading Languages For All here in the south west.
“We know that the national picture for learning modern languages is a challenging one…but we hope we can make an inspiring and compelling case for young people to consider them as they progress to their A-levels and university.”
‘Disproportionately cultivated’
The university said the number of A-level students taking modern languages had fallen by around 20% in the last 20 years, with the decline recorded most sharply in French.
Among the contributing factors has been reduced provision beyond GCSE-level, with fewer colleges teaching it, and therefore fewer students progressing to university, it said.
Michael Slavinsky, managing director of Languages For All, said it was a locally rooted, nationally connected approach to opening up modern languages to schools and schoolchildren.
“It makes languages more relevant to students, reduces the cost challenges for schools, and draws upon the expertise of our university partners in showcasing the exciting opportunities that lie in wait once they leave school,” he said.
“Currently, our homegrown linguists are being disproportionately cultivated from selective schools and we’re missing out on the diversity of talent in our state schools. We believe every child in the UK should have the opportunity to study languages to a high level.”
