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<p>The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) performance measure, which includes languages,
has seen the proportion of GCSE entries from pupils in state-funded schools in a modern
foreign language (MFL) increase from 40% in 2010 to 46% in 2018. The reformed national
curriculum now makes it compulsory for pupils in maintained schools to be taught a
foreign language in key stage 2.</p><p>The £4.8 million MFL Pedagogy Pilot commenced
in December 2018. It is managed by the newly appointed MFL Centre for Excellence and
is run through 9 school led hubs, to improve uptake and attainment in languages at
key stages 3 and 4. The department has also launched a pilot project in MFL undergraduate
mentoring for secondary school pupils to drive up participation in the subject, specifically
targeting areas of high disadvantage to extend access to languages for all pupils.</p><p>Recruiting
MFL teachers is a priority for the government. The government offers generous financial
incentives for languages teaching, including scholarships in MFL worth £28,000, and
tax-free bursaries, typically worth up to £26,000. The government is also working
in partnership with Spain’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to deliver
Spain’s Visiting Teachers Programme to provide schools with access to a pool of qualified
teachers from Spain who are able to teach MFL. In addition to this, the department
has a Teacher Subject Specialism Training programme which aims to improve the subject
knowledge of non-specialist teachers and returning teachers in MFL.</p><p>The department
is also continuing to promote the value of language qualifications to students who
are choosing their GCSEs. The department recently published and promoted a guidance
leaflet for parents, attached, which explains why studying a language, as part of
the EBacc, broadens opportunities in both education and employment. In February, the
department drew attention to the benefits of studying a language among 13 to 14 year
olds through a social media campaign.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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