Business leaders in Birmingham and Solihull were "alarmed" today
at the decline in the number of youngsters studying foreign
languages.
The GCSE results published today showed that students taking
French and German had fallen by 6.6 per cent and 4.2 per cent
respectively.
Bridget Blow, president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (BCI), said: "As with this year's A Level results, the BCI
welcomes the improving pass rates but it is alarming that figures
for foreign languages continue to decline year on year.
"The BCI continues to believe that the Government's decision to
make languages optional at GCSE level was a mistake and not a
reflection of the importance of language skills to the UK economy."
This year will also mark the first set of results for the new
Diploma qualification. Nationally, less than 12,000 students have
taken up this qualification and of these, the first 200 students
were also receiving their results. In Birmingham, the Diploma is
being phased in over the next two years.
Added Ms Blow: "The BCI is working with Birmingham City Council
to ensure that the Diploma qualification gains the support of key
stakeholders, students, parents, schools, universities and
employers in an attempt to ensure is a success in our city."