Modern Foreign Languages Education in the UK

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) education in the UK faces ongoing challenges, including declining student participation, teacher shortages, and socioeconomic disparities. At A-level, entries for French and German have dropped significantly, with fewer than 3% of students studying these languages, while Spanish has seen a rise in popularity at GCSE.

Teacher shortages remain critical, with only 43% of recruitment targets met in 2024, and the removal of relocation incentives for foreign teachers adding to the problem. Socioeconomic gaps also affect access: in less affluent schools, only 47% of students take a language GCSE compared to 69% in more affluent schools.

Efforts are underway to reverse the decline. The British Council reports a slight increase in A-level entries, and the government has introduced language hubs in 19 schools to boost teaching and engagement.

While challenges remain, continued investment in teachers, curriculum development, and equitable access is essential to ensure UK students gain the linguistic skills needed for global engagement and career success.