Post-GCSE language study in Wales ‘at risk’, report warns
Two-fifths of secondary schools now offer no post-16 language provision, and only 5% employ language assistants – all in more affluent areas
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International language study in Wales is at risk of long-term decline, according to a British Council Wales report which found that A-level entries in French and German have fallen sharply and many schools have no post-16 provision.
The Language Trends Wales 2025 report, which was published earlier this week, shows a mixed picture: strong growth in language learning in primary schools, modest recovery at GCSE, but continued decline beyond age 16.
Conducted by Queen’s University Belfast, the study surveyed primary and secondary schools and further education colleges to assess the impact of the New Curriculum for Wales.
More than 80% of primary schools now teach an international language – double the proportion in 2022 – most commonly French, Spanish and Arabic. But three quarters cited low staff proficiency and limited curriculum time as major barriers.
At GCSE level, entries in French rose 6.7% to 2,269 this year and Spanish increased 17% to 1,591, while German fell 7% to 432. Researchers say the modest recovery may reflect greater early exposure to languages under the new curriculum.
Despite these gains, access remains uneven. Two-thirds of secondary schools cancel GCSE classes when numbers are too low, mainly in less affluent areas. Schools in wealthier communities are more likely to sustain language courses, raising concerns about widening educational inequality.
At A-level, participation continues to fall. French entries dropped 30% to 169 and German 32% to 42, while Spanish remains stable. Two-fifths of secondary schools now offer no post-16 language provision, and only 5% employ language assistants – all in more affluent areas.
Research co-lead, Dr Ian Collen, said: “Our data show GCSE classes do not run if there are not enough learners in two thirds of schools and most of these schools are in less affluent areas. Young people are effectively being denied the opportunity to widen their horizons.”
Ruth Cocks, director of British Council Wales, added: “We’re encouraged by progress in primary schools and modest GCSE recovery, but these gains are fragile. The sharp fall in post-16 study, especially in A-level German, is a warning we cannot ignore.”