The aftermath of the decline of languages at GCSE continues with a story on the BBC News Magazine web site which explores some of the key reasons for this. Language learning expert Paul Noble, who teaches French and Spanish on CDs by Collins, makes a telling observation. "Students realise that even if they do get a GCSE in French, they still won't be able to speak the language. Even students who come out of doing French A-levels can be surprised at what they can't say - the teaching should be far more conversationally based." 

If we're to stop the decline of languages in school, surely now seems like a good time to revisit the way languages are formally assessed as part of the curriculum.

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