Provisional data on GCSE entries in 2020 released today reveals a rise in the number of pupils studying for a modern foreign language at GCSE.

Overall, language entries increased by 2 per cent, from 268,955 to 275,000. Entries for Spanish and German rose by 5 per cent and 3 per cent respectively, while French entries remained stable.

Overall, GCSE entries increased by 2 per cent this year, mostly attributable to an increase in entry for EBacc subjects. The increase corresponds with an increase of 3 per cent in the cohort of 16-year-olds.

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At A level, there was a mixed picture for language entries. Spanish was up 3 per cent, French entries stayed at the same level, but German saw a 6 per cent fall. Entries for other modern languages declined by 21 per cent.