Primary schools in Wales are off to a good start in embedding International Languages in their classrooms according to new British Council research.
The research was carried out by Dr Ian Collen, Dr Jayne Duff and Dr Aisling O’Boyle from Queen’s University Belfast. British Council Wales have been conducting studies into the status of International Language learning since 2015. This year, the team surveyed 8 per cent of primary schools, and over 38 per cent of all secondary schools to learn more about International Language learning and provision across Wales.
This report follows on from research in 2022, which was published just as the new Curriculum for Wales, with its emphasis on promoting a holistic, multilingual, plurilingual approach to language education, took effect. The report includes three in-depth interviews with teachers of International Languages in secondary and primary contexts, in which they discuss the challenges and best practices in International Language teaching in Wales.
International Language Learning in Primary Schools:
Since the publication of the 2022 report, the good news is continuing at primary level in Wales where there is evidence of expanding interest and involvement in International Languages. 72 per cent of primary school respondents said that they taught an International Language within curriculum time in 2023, compared to just 41 per cent in the 2021/22 school year.
This large increase shows that the New Curriculum for Wales is quickly having a real impact. Over half of the responding primary schools have introduced International Languages in the 2022/23 year.
Primary teachers do cite barriers to International Language teaching to deliver the requirements of the new curriculum, with 67% of primary school respondents feeling that ‘Staff proficiency in International Languages’ is the major challenge. This is closely followed by pressure in timetabling as a factor.
This year, the data reflect an increase in the number of opportunities for international engagement for primary schools. While 56 per cent of responding primary schools reported having no opportunities for international engagement, it is notable that this figure has decreased by 8 per cent since 2022.
Primary schools reported a variety of opportunities for international engagement, including Power Languages, transition projects with high schools, the British Council’s own training and events including the Cerdd Iaith programme, and even international school visits.
French remains the most popular International Language taught in primary schools, with Spanish close behind. Respondents from primary schools also noted the teaching of Makaton, Ukrainian, and British Sign Language.
GSCEs & A Levels:
The findings for secondary schools are not so bright. Looking at exam data and surveying teachers in 67 secondary schools across Wales, the data highlight the continuing decline in entries in GCSE French and German since 2022, 24.9 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. The data show this trend is largely driven by changes in pupils’ preferences with entries in economics and business studies up markedly over the same time, coupled with other constraints such as timetabling.
Spanish bucks-the-trend for UK Nations with a slight uptick since 2022 of 7.5 per cent for GSCE entries, continuing its erratic trend in Wales.
Interestingly, in 2023, A-level entries for French, Spanish and German were very slightly up for schools in Wales, compared to 2022.The rise in entries is small, but could indicate a stabilisation to pre-pandemic levels.
French is still the most popular International Language taught in Welsh schools at both GCSE and A-level, with Spanish following closely behind. Our 2022 study showed that while French was the most studied language at GCSE in Wales, the language has been on a steep decline since the turn of the millennium. This decline is not unique to Wales as shown by British Council reports for both England and Northern Ireland.
The report highlights the low numbers of pupils currently taking an International Language at GCSE level or other level two qualification, with 67 per cent of responding secondary schools reporting less than 10 per cent of their Year 10 students picking up an International Language at this level. Schools cite several factors for low uptake, including timetabling constraints and low pupil preference. Since 2022, the percentage of secondary schools in which learners are unable to take an International Language due to timetabling has increased from 31 per cent to 51 per cent. With this Key Stage 4 data used to predict changes in GCSE entries over the next couple of years it suggests that further declines are likely.
International Engagement:
While this picture for International Language Learning might seem stark, it is clear from the data and from interview responses, that like primary schools, teachers are working hard to teach and encourage the study of International Languages at secondary level. The report shows good international engagement for secondary level schools, through international partnerships, Routes into Languages Cymru, and a rise in engagement through the MFL Student Mentoring Scheme which encourages the learning of International Languages at GCSE level and beyond via a programme of in-classroom mentoring and online mentoring.
The report cites that only 9% of responding schools employ a language assistant – up by only 1% since 2022. A foreign language speaking assistant makes a significant difference to language teaching, exam results and learning outcomes. In the British Council’s 2020-21 programme review, 98 per cent of host schools saw improved standards in listening and speaking, and 99 per cent would recommend the programme.
Qualitative responses outlined in this year’s report show clearly that secondary teachers and lecturers would like to see more learners study languages at A-level, and they expressed the need for International Languages to be taught in a meaningful way from Primary level onwards.
British Council Research reports into language trends in England, Northern Ireland, and here in Wales all point to the fact that learning International Languages from an early age is beneficial for career pathways, intercultural understanding, and the wider economy.
Speaking about the research findings, Dr Collen said:
“The 2023 report shows that International Language learning is blossoming in primary schools in Wales. A great start to ensure a multilingual workforce ready to build global connections and grow the economy. It remains to be seen whether we will see this translate to a recovery in entries for International Languages GSCE and A Levels in coming years.”
Also commenting on the research was Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales, she said:
“We have almost ten years of research looking at the trends for International Language learning in Wales and the declining trend in uptake at post-primary level is clear to see. This latest research gives us cause for optimism as we see the new curriculum already bearing fruit with Language Learning in primary schools, and even a slight upwards-trend for A-level entries.
“Languages are vital for the future of Wales, for international relationships, trade relations, and for the career pathways of young people in an increasingly interconnected world. The British Council remains dedicated to working with the Welsh Government, schools, and educators to make Language Learning a priority.”
The Language Trends Wales report will officially launch today at the Hilton in Cardiff. Dr Ian Collen, Director of Initial Teacher Education at Queen’s University Belfast, will discuss the headline findings from the report, and there will be the chance to hear from a panel chaired by Professor Claire Gorrara, Dean for Research and Innovation for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Cardiff University, along with Kerry Bevan, Senior Lecturer in Initial Education and Subject Lead for PGCE Languages, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Elin Arfon, Research Fellow, National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE), Research Associate Eira Jepson, and Andrea Waddington, Head Teacher, Sully Primary School.
