Research indicates that children from deprived areas in England face significant barriers to language learning, with a report showing a 38% lower chance of taking a modern language GCSE in less affluent schools. The proportion of year 10 pupils in affluent schools studying languages reaches 69%, whereas only 47% do so in less affluent schools. Despite a recent rise in GCSE entries, overall participation remains low and concentrated in affluent schools. Experts express concern about the privation of language education for disadvantaged young people, pressing for national priorities to ensure equitable access.
Ministers must make access to language learning a national priority, after research showed that children from more deprived areas of England are disproportionately denied the opportunity to learn a foreign language.
The Language Trends report revealed that the proportion of pupils studying a modern language GCSE in less affluent English state schools was 38% lower than in the most affluent, indicating a significant disparity in language education access.
Prof Charles Forsdick warned of a real risk that language education would only be accessible to young people in the most affluent schools in England, potentially leading to a loss of essential education.
Jean Coussins emphasized that if the government lets go of the ambition for 90% of students to take a language GCSE, there is a risk of language A-levels disappearing from state schools.
#language-learning #education-equity #gcse-languages #affluent-vs-deprived-schools #language-trends-report
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