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New report shows a catastrophic decline in formal language learning

Posted on 31/07/2025 10:19:00

News Date: 31 July 2025
News Source: Higher Education Policy Institute - HEPI

A new report from the Higher Education Policy Institute, The Languages Crisis: Arresting decline by Megan Bowler (HEPI Report 192), sponsored by Duolingo, shows a big drop in formal language learning.

  • More A-Levels in PE than in French, German & Classical Languages combined.
  • Language teacher recruitment is at just 43% of the official target.
  • Undergraduate enrolments in ‘Language & Area Studies’ down 20% in 5 years.

Related Links

New HEPI report calls for urgent action on revitalising language learning (UCFL, 31 July 2025)

Bring back teacher relocation pay to boost languages, DfE told (TES, 31 July 2025)

Students in England shun foreign languages at A-level, report finds (Financial Times, 31 July 2025)

Collapse of languages has ‘knock-on effects’ for research (Research Professional News, 31 July 2025)

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Posted in: Language Learning - Decline, News from language & education organisations
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