Language learning at a low for England and Australia

England and Australia are both multicultural countries where hundreds of languages are spoken. However, in both, levels of language learning at school are worryingly low.

- By Abigail Parrish, lecturer in languages education, University of Sheffield; Annamaria Paolino, lecturer/ researcher in languages Education, Edith Cowan University; and Louisa Field, languages education researcher, University of Sydney

Levels of language learning at school are 'worryingly low'. Photo: PA

Exam entry figures for England show the numbers of young people taking languages at GCSE is stabilising to some degree. However, since 2004, when a language subject was made optional after the age of 16, there has been a decrease of 35 per cent.

Australia has seen a major downturn in language learning. In 2021, fewer than 10 per cent of students in year 12 - the final year of compulsory education - were studying a language.

In both countries, the lack of a strong language learning culture contributes to low enrolment and achievement rates in foreign language education. That both countries are English-speaking also leads to the idea that there is limited use in learning additional languages, because English is so widely spoken worldwide.

This has resulted in the perception that inhabitants of both Australia and England are poor language learners.

Research suggests this is not necessarily true. There is an appetite for language learning among young people in both countries, along with support from their parents. However, challenges such as harsh grading and teacher recruitment problems have meant this doesn't always translate into full classrooms.