Specialist language teachers 'urgently required'

At last some good news for language teachers in the UK: according to a news story on the BBC there's an urgent need for specialist language teachers as the number of pupils set to sit language GCSEs next year has increased by 22% to 52%. The rise is thought to be tied to the English Baccalaureate, which requires GCSEs in language among other subjects. Hopefully, if this carries on this will impact further up the education ladder and reverse the decline in graduates taking languages at UK universities. The good news is tempered by the fact that the increase in the actual number of school children taking languages is coming off a very low base. Clearly, this welcome news is just a start in restoring languages to their rightful place in the curriculum.