NCLE celebrates increase in Modern Foreign Languages entries for 2024 GCSEs

• There have been increases in all modern foreign language GCSE entries since 2023.
• Improvements in GCSE French and German results following adjustments to bring grading in line with Spanish.
  • 2.9% increase in French entries.
  • 3.5% increase in German entries.
  • 6.2% increase in Spanish entries.
  • 8.1% increase in other modern foreign languages entries.

Vicky Gough, British Council Schools Adviser, said:

“Congratulations to all students receiving their GCSE language results today! It’s wonderful to see a rise in the uptake of all languages. Notably, German has increased after experiencing one of the steepest declines last year, while the popularity of Spanish continues to soar, bringing it nearly on par with the number of French entries. Learning languages provides significant benefits, from better intercultural skills for the individual to economic advantages for the UK. Research shows most UK adults support language education in schools and regret not having language skills themselves. But over the years we have been seeing major declines in the uptake of languages which are only worsened by the difficulty schools have in recruiting qualified language teachers. As a partner of the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), the British Council is committed to supporting schools with quality Continuing Professional Development for teachers. The government’s plan to increase teacher numbers is a positive step towards improving language education in the UK.”

Bernardette Holmes MBE, Honorary Professor at UCL-IOE and NCLE Director, said:

“Huge congratulations to every student who achieved a GCSE in languages this year. They are the future! Our country needs more language skills and more young people with cultural agility and international experience. The NCLE is working with schools across England to boost the number of pupils learning languages. They will become the A-level students and graduates of tomorrow, driving future growth.”

Andrea Pfeil, Deputy Director and Head of Language Department at the Goethe-Institut, said:

“The Goethe-Institut is committed to supporting access to learning German up to GCSE level for young people in English schools. Our goal is to provide all pupils and teachers with the opportunity to gain insights into German culture and to demonstrate how German can significantly broaden their career prospects through numerous youth programmes and interactive events. We also give hands-on, practical support for schools, from bridging short-term provision gaps in German departments to choosing German for the Duke of Edinburgh Award skill. We continuously develop engaging teaching materials for the current curriculum in all key stages. As the cultural institute of Germany, we are experts in promoting language learning and encouraging international cultural exchange. In our work across the globe, we encounter the life-long advantages of a multilingual skillset every day. Alongside our NCLE partners, we strive to share this expertise with decision makers and to ensure that pupils from every background get the chance to learn a language in depth at school.”