The number of pupils electing to study foreign languages in Year 10 has increased since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate, a survey has shown. Although the number of pupils taking GCSE exams at the end of key stage 4 declined this year from 43 per cent to 40 per cent, it seems that next year the trend may reverse.

The 2011 Language Trends survey shows that half of maintained schools are currently teaching languages to more than half of their key stage 4 pupils - compared with only 36 per cent last year. The number of pupils in England studying languages to age 16 dropped significantly after it was made optional in 2004.

The survey was completed by 656 maintained and 200 independent secondaries, and was carried out last term.

54% of maintained schools have made or will make changes in response to the EBac

35% of these have made languages compulsory for some pupils.