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<p>Languages are now compulsory at key stage 2, and since the introduction of the
English Baccalaureate in 2010, language take-up at GCSE has increased from 40% to
46% last year. Ofqual’s recent provisional data for the summer 2019 exam series showed
that overall entries to modern foreign languages (MFL) summer GCSE exams increased
by 4% compared to last year.</p><p>Under Ofsted’s new framework, which will be introduced
in September, inspectors will be alert to signs of curriculum narrowing at key stage
3. If a school has a shortened key stage 3, inspectors will look to see that the school
has made provisions to ensure that pupils still have the opportunity to study a broad
range of subjects, commensurate with the national curriculum, in years 7-9.</p><p>The
department is supporting schools to increase the number of pupils taking GCSEs in
languages through several programmes. These include the £4.8 million MFL pedagogy
programme, an undergraduate digi-mentoring scheme, the £10 million Mandarin Excellence
Programme, and targeted communications activity at key points in the school year to
encourage pupils to study languages.</p><p> </p>
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