Across the UK, international language learning is at a low point. Here, Ruth Cocks looks at the situation in Wales and finds that this part of the UK has some unique strengths that could offer a brighter future for languages.
International language learning in Wales is at a worrying low, but what disturbs me most about this is not only what it says about the linguistic skills of future generations, but what it reveals about a country’s global outlook and confidence as a nation.
For a country that aspires to be outward-looking, confident and internationally engaged, language learning trends in Wales, and across the UK, are a warning sign. The British Council’s Language Trends Wales research, now in its eleventh year, has tracked the story with stark clarity. Over the past decade, the number of GCSE entries in French and German has halved. At A-level, French has declined by 63%, while German entries have fallen to just 42% and could disappear entirely within the next three years. That is more than a statistic; it marks the quiet disappearance of opportunity.
A window on the world is closing
When I ask young people in Wales why they choose not to study a language, the answers are familiar. English, they say, is spoken everywhere, so what’s the point? (Of course, this is not true.) Others mention that languages are “too hard” or “not useful enough.” All these perceptions are powerful, but they are wrong.
Speaking another language opens doors that translation apps never can. It builds relationships, deepens understanding and creates opportunities in trade, diplomacy, science, culture and human connection. It gives insight into the customs, humour and values of another people. It teaches empathy, adaptability and curiosity, qualities that define truly global citizens.
At a time when the world feels increasingly fragmented, the ability to speak across borders and cultures is not a luxury. It is part of how we build trust, collaboration, and peace. No country can afford to lose that capacity.
Barriers we built ourselves
Even for pupils who want to study languages, access is blocked by circumstance. Around two-thirds of Welsh secondary schools will not run GCSE classes if too few pupils enrol - mostly in less affluent areas - and two-fifths offer no post-16 provision. Where classes do exist, half are cancelled due to low numbers, leaving many with no path to continue at A-level. The result is a deep social divide: in some parts of Wales, learning a language is not an option. These gaps rob young people of confidence, communication skills and a global outlook. When classes are cut, we lose the chance to raise a generation that can engage with the world.
The perceived difficulty of exams is another barrier. Encouragingly, Wales’s exam board, the WJEC, has been reworking modern language qualifications to reflect real-life use and communication. Whether this change will shift attitudes remains to be seen, but it is a positive step.
The truth is that investment and leadership matter. The Welsh Government has a clear policy framework in Global Futures, its international languages strategy but without sustained resources and coordination, even the best policy cannot deliver systemic change.
Learning from our own success
Wales does not need to look far for an example of how ambition, planning and investment can transform the linguistic landscape. The revitalisation of the Welsh language is one of the country’s great national achievements. Through long-term policy and consistent commitment, Cymraeg 2050 has inspired pride, built infrastructure and created more opportunities to learn and use Welsh across society.
That success should give us confidence. It demonstrates that language policy is effective when it is treated as a national priority, rather than an optional extra. The same energy and vision that has strengthened Welsh can now be applied to international languages. If we can nurture one national success story of linguistic renewal, it can be done again.
Signs of hope
There are signs of renewal. At primary level, more than 80% of responding schools now teach an international language - double the figure reported in 2022, thanks to the introduction of international language learning as mandatory in the new Curriculum for Wales. While at Key Stage 4, uptake in GCSE French is tentatively rising again after the pandemic lull, while Spanish is bouncing back following a dip between 2023 and 2024. That growth reflects the dedication of teachers and schools who believe in the value of multilingualism. And with international languages now a statutory part of the new Curriculum for Wales at primary level, many schools are introducing pupils to the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity from an early age.
This shift is transformative. It plants the seed of curiosity and global awareness. But we cannot let enthusiasm at primary level lead to dead ends at secondary level. Without a clear and supported pathway, early interest fades before it can flourish.
A country at a crossroads
After more than a decade of research and repeated warnings, the question is clear: are we serious about reversing the decline, especially at post-16? Wales is already a multilingual country; our report found that more than 45 languages are spoken by pupils in our schools. What a strength that is, and what a foundation to build upon.
Wales is a Nation of Sanctuary, a country that celebrates diversity and belonging. Yet too often, except for Welsh, we treat multilingualism as something to admire in others rather than nurture in ourselves.
Language learning should not be a niche concern. It should sit at the heart of our national conversation about education, opportunity and the place of Wales, and the whole of the UK, in the world.
How we support young people to connect globally shapes our economy, our diplomacy and our cultural confidence for generations to come.
A call to action
The eleventh edition of Language Trends Wales is not just a report; it is a call to action. We can allow another decade of decline, or we can decide that the ability to connect across cultures and borders is essential to who we are as a nation.
We can build on what Wales already does so well. Let us ensure that our young people have the skills and confidence to speak to the world, and to listen to it too.
A version of this article first appeared in Nation Cymru.