Schools in Wales supported by language mentor scheme

The Modern Foreign Languages Mentoring programme, led by Cardiff University, is supporting schools to promote multilingualism and increase the number of learners choosing international languages at GCSE.

University students studying an international language, or those who have an interest in languages, have been acting as mentors to learners in year 8 and 9 as they look to make their GCSE options. 

The programme operates in 80 per cent of secondary schools in Wales with all Welsh universities now taking part.

Education secretary Lynne Neagle said: "I am delighted to see the impact this mentoring programme has had on the engagement of learners. Wales is an outward looking nation and international languages can help raise aspirations and widen the horizons of all our learners.

"There are many challenges facing international languages across the UK, but it is encouraging to see the difference the programme is making in Wales as well as strengthening the link with our schools and universities."

A survey is used to identify those pupils’ undecided about whether to take an international language and which also produces a range of valuable information on learner attitudes to school subject choices, international travel and careers. 

Last year saw 115 secondary schools in Wales involved with the programme generating over 15,000 responses.

The survey has shown that learners in Welsh medium schools are slightly more likely to choose an international language for GCSE than those in English medium schools, and girls were twice as likely to pick an international language GCSE than boys.

International languages face increasing challenges in schools across the UK with German particularly affected and there was a 28 per cent drop in pupils in Wales opting to take an international language at GCSE between 2018 to 2023.

Professor Claire Gorrara who leads the scheme at Cardiff University said: "Our language mentoring programme is designed to give learners the opportunity to work with University mentors who are close to them in age and who can inspire a love of languages.

"Through the lens of language learning, mentors respond to learners’ innate curiosity about the world around them. Our mentors do an amazing job in embodying the personal and professional benefits of language learning and the rich life experiences it can offer in education and beyond.

"The Curriculum for Wales introduces international languages from primary school, building a love of languages from a much earlier age. A revised suite of qualifications will be available for the first time in 2025 to help raise standards and aspirations for all learners."