Following the publication of results from the summer 2024 GCSE examination series, we reviewed trends in subject entries and results. This document examines trends in modern foreign languages. The following subjects are covered:

Individual numbers of entries for other modern languages are not available on an individual basis as they are combined by the JCQ

Firstly, the trend in subject entries since 2021 is shown in the figure below. None of these subjects are compulsory to study at GCSE level. The plot is interactive. Click on items in the legend to add or remove them from the visible plot. Double click to view only one line:

Changing pass rates:

The table below shows is how the proportion of awarded grades has changed since 2023. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exams, results from 2020 to 2022 are not comparable. 2023 saw the proportion of passing grades awarded return to close to the level seen in 2019:

Subject Grade 7 or higher awarded, 2023 (%) Grade 7 or higher awarded, 2024 (%) Grade 4 or higher awarded, 2023 (%) Grade 4 or higher awarded, 2024 (%)
French 26.6 28.4 71.2 71.7
German 28.2 32.5 77.2 77.8
Irish 51.9 48.6 96.5 93.8
Spanish 26.8 27.3 70.0 70.5
Welsh as a second language 22.4 21.5 63.1 62.2
Other modern languages 70.3 71.8 92.2 92.5

Data used in this report sourced from the Joint Council for Qualifications- https://www.jcq.org.uk/