Uptake in students choosing languages at GCSE in Wales
The number of students choosing to study an International Language (French, Spanish or German) at GCSE has increased over two consecutive academic years in Wales, analysis from Cardiff University shows
The number of students choosing to study an International Language (French, Spanish or German) at GCSE has increased over two consecutive academic years in Wales, analysis from Cardiff University shows.
Lucy Jenkins, Director and Principal Investigator of the MFL Mentoring project, says the figures represent a “significant and symbolic moment”, following a long-term decline in uptake since 2008.
The project’s analysis of data from StatsWales, which records the number of people entered for GCSEs in French, Spanish and German, shows an increase of 3.4%, equivalent to 115 additional entries, in 2022-23 to 2023-24. This is followed by a 9.6% increase, an additional 342 entries, between 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Lucy Jenkins, based at Cardiff University’s School of Modern Languages, said:
“These increases represent a significant and symbolic moment for GCSE International Languages in Wales...
...given that the only other increase in entries recorded since 2008 was in 2012-13 where entry numbers increased by only +0.4%, equivalent to 32 entries.
“It is also the first time, since examinations entry data started to be publicly accessible via StatsWales in 2008, that there has been an overall rise in GCSE entries across International Languages collectively over the course of two consecutive academic years.”
She added: “While it is important to celebrate the most significant overall increases seen in more than 15 years across French, Spanish and German collectively, it is also important to recognise that concerning trends for individual languages, particularly for GCSE German, continue to prevail.
“It is also critical to note that the good news for GCSE entry numbers is partnered with worrying news for A Level entries which, according to provisional StatsWales data, shows a single year decrease in uptake across French, German and Spanish of -33%, down by 86 entries, including a significant decrease of -43% (-63 entries) in entries for French A Level in a single year.”