ALL President Jane Harvey comments on this year’s results:
“I would like to congratulate all A and AS-level language students and their teachers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on their results in this exceptional year. A level language courses require not only language skills, but also a wide knowledge and critical appreciation of the culture of the language studied. Language students and their teachers know that speaking another language and understanding other cultures are life enhancing assets at any time and no less so in a post Brexit Britain.
Whilst it is encouraging to see that numbers taking Spanish continue to increase it remains concerning that entries for German and French at A level continue to fall. The total number of students taking a language at A-level remains very low, raising concerns about the UK’s ability to produce enough qualified linguists for the country’s needs. We are hopeful that the Ofqual review of grading at GCSE will lead to greater numbers studying at GCSE and then on to A-level.”