GCSE pupils abandon foreign languages

Teenagers are abandoning foreign languages now they are optional at GCSE, figures showed today.

The proportion of 14-year-olds that continue with at least one language has dropped to below 70 per cent from about 73 per cent, said education watchdog Ofsted.

Pupils from poorer families - those who qualify for free school meals - are leading the charge, with less than half continuing to study French, German or Spanish once they turn 14.

Languages only stopped being compulsory this month. But after visiting 600 state schools, Ofsted found that increasing numbers jumped the gun in the last academic year and had already applied to have the rules waived.

The findings were released to mark European Day of Languages on Sunday. The watchdog warned that the flight from foreign languages could cause a national linguistic skills crisis.

If fewer students are able to study languages at A-level, fewer will go on to do them at degree level. There will then be fewer teachers of the subjects in schools. Ofsted chief inspector David Bell said: "Languages can improve people's job prospects and help break down cultural barriers."