A Welsh Government funded scheme to encourage take up of
international language GCSEs has seen a rise of over 40% in
mentored learners choosing to take a language such as French,
German or Spanish.
The Modern Foreign Languages Mentoring programme, led by Cardiff
University, supports schools to promote multilingualism and
increase the number of learners choosing international languages
at GCSE.
University students studying an international language, or those
who have an interest in languages, have been acting as mentors to
learners in year 8 and 9 as they look to make their GCSE options.
The programme operates in 80% of secondary schools in Wales with
all Welsh universities now taking part.
On a visit to Tonyrefail Community School, ahead of European Day
of Languages on 26 September, the Cabinet Secretary for
Education, had the chance to meet
learners who are now studying a language GCSE as a result of
being mentored by Sasha, a student from Cardiff University.
Sasha mentored 12 pupils in
2023 and 5 of them opted to take French or Spanish
GCSE. She was in the 2nd year of her degree studying
BA French and Italian at Cardiff University.
said:
“I am delighted to see the impact this mentoring programme has
had on the engagement of learners. Wales is an outward looking
nation and international languages can help raise aspirations and
widen the horizons of all our leaners.
“There are many challenges facing international languages across
the UK, but it is encouraging to see the difference the programme
is making in Wales as well as strengthening the link with our
schools and universities.”
Pupil Ollie who was mentored in year 9. Reflects on his
experience “I really enjoyed the mentoring experience. I liked
how we were mentored by a University student as she was a similar
age to us, making the experience feel calm and less like a school
lesson.
“I found the music segment of the course the most interesting due
to the different language patterns. After the experience I began
to watch films and TV shows with French subtitles and took notice
in the words I recognised as well as taking note of the ones I
didn't. I would say that the experience did aid in persuading me
to take French at GCSE level. Furthermore, I wish to continue
learning French beyond GCSE level if possible as I find the
French language very interesting and helpful as I gradually
become bilingual.”
A survey is used to identify those pupils' undecided about
whether to take an international language and which also produces
a range of valuable information on learner attitudes to school
subject choices, international travel and careers. 2023 saw 115
secondary schools in Wales involved with the programme generating
over 15,000 responses.
The survey has shown that learners in Welsh medium schools are
slightly more likely to choose an international language for GCSE
than those in English medium schools. Girls being twice as likely
to pick an international language GCSE than boys.
International languages face increasing challenges in schools
across the UK with German particularly affected and there was a
28% drop in pupils in Wales opting to take an international
language at GCSE between 2018-2023.
Many of the challenges are interconnected but the Cardiff
research has shown languages to be low on the list of subjects
considered by learners and the programme looks to break this
cycle as learners make their option choices showing how languages
can make a real impact on their futures.
Professor Claire Gorrara who leads the scheme at Cardiff
University said:
“Our language mentoring programme is designed to give learners
the opportunity to work with University mentors who are close to
them in age and who can inspire a love of languages.
Through the lens of language learning, mentors respond to
learners' innate curiosity about the world around them. Our
mentors do an amazing job in embodying the personal and
professional benefits of language learning and the rich life
experiences it can offer in education and beyond.”
The Curriculum for Wales introduces international languages from
primary school, building a love of languages from a much earlier
age. A revised suite of qualifications will be available
for the first time in 2025 to help raise standards and
aspirations for all learners.
