NUT: Poor languages performance

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teacher (NUT), comments on the GCSE results.

“Overall the GCSE results are again a massive vote of confidence in young people and their teachers. The continuing improvement in results in the sciences, and English and mathematics demonstrates the high quality and effectiveness of comprehensive education.

“Yet again, of real concern is the decline in the study of modern foreign languages, particularly French and German. This was reflected in last week’s A level results. I find it extraordinary that French which has for so long been core to the secondary curriculum should now have dropped out of the top ten GCSEs taken by young people.

“I urge the government to come up with a coherent policy for ensuring that all young people acquire at least one modern foreign language.”