HL Deb 05 June 1996 vol 572 cc129-30WA
The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any evidence of an increase in British ability in the French language, measured either in formal sector education or by tests or polls among the adult population (a) between 1973 and the Treaty of Maastricht and (b) between the Treaty of Maastricht and today; and

Whether they have any evidence of an increase in British ability in the German language, measured either in formal sector education or by tests or polls among the adult population (a) between 1973 and the Treaty of Maastricht and (b) between the Treaty of Maastricht and today.

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)

Government policy has encouraged modern foreign language learning in schools throughout the United Kingdom, through the national curriculum in England and Wales, the common curriculum in Scotland, and the Northern Ireland curriculum. Broadly speaking, the following examination data show upward trends both in the numbers of pupils learning French and German and in the levels achieved. There are no data as early as 1973.

In England, the percentage of all 15 year-old pupils achieving Grades A to C at GCSE (and their equivalent at GCE "O" Level and CSE) in these languages was as follows in each of the years shown.

Year French
1975–76 14.6
1992–93 25.0
1994–95 26.1

Year German
1988–89 6.6
1992–93 10.3
1994–95 11.0

In Wales, the percentage of all 15 year-old pupils achieving Grades A to C at GCSE in these languages was as follows in each of the years shown.

1991–92 1992–93 1994–95
French 20.0 21.4 22.0
German 5.0 6.0 6.5

In Northern Ireland, the percentage of those candidates of all ages entered for GCSE or GCE "O" Level in these languages who achieved Grades A to C was as follows in each of the years shown. Data about the percentage of the cohort of 15 year-olds attempting GCSE in these languages are not available.

1977 1992 1995
French 60.7 58.4 62.2
German 74.1 72.9 70.9

In Scotland, the percentage of S4 pupils presented for Standard Grade in these languages was as follows in each of the years shown:

1987–88 1991–92 1994–95
French 28.7 53.4 63.6
German 6.9 14.3 24.2