Alarming stats
HEPI found that in 2024, only 2.97% of all A-Level entries in the UK were in modern foreign languages, classical languages, Welsh (Second Language) or Irish. That figure is so low that there are now more A-Level entries for Physical Education than for French, German and Classical Languages combined.
Added to this is the national shortage of language teachers, demonstrated by the 2024 figure of only 43% of the target number of teachers being met.
Degree-level enrolments in language and area studies have fallen by around 20% since 2020, and some institutions have closed their language departments altogether.
What this means
In schools today, fewer pupils have the chance to learn a language and so the numbers choosing them for GCSE and A level are severely impacted.
The Conversation’s news piece says that the 2025 curriculum review, misses the opportunity to boost language learning past primary level by not offering any concrete commitment to make languages compulsory at GCSE or A-Level.
References
- New report shows a catastrophic decline in formal language learning. Available at: https://www.hepi.ac.uk/2025/07/31/new-report-shows-decline-in-formal-language-learning/ (Accessed 3 December 2025)
- England’s national curriculum review misses opportunity to revitalise language learning. Available at: https://theconversation.com/englands-national-curriculum-review-misses-opportunity-to-revitalise-language-learning-269532 (Accessed 3 December 2025)
