Skip to content
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Join ATA
  • Renew
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
American Translators Association (ATA)
Find a Language Professional
  • Certification
    • Certification
      • Guide to ATA Certification
      • What is a Certified Translation?
      • How the Exam is Graded
      • Review and Appeal Process
      • Looking for More Information?
    • Taking the Exam
      • About the Exam
      • How to Prepare
      • Practice Test
      • Exam Schedule
    • Already Certified?
      • Put Your Credentials To Work
      • CT Designation and Seal
      • Continuing Education Requirement
    • Register Buttons
      • Exam Schedule
         
      • Order Practice Test
  • Career and Education
    • For Newcomers
      • Student Resources
      • Starting Your Career
      • The Savvy Newcomer Blog
    • For Professionals
      • Growing Your Career
      • Business Strategies
      • Next Level Blog
      • Client Outreach Kit
      • Mentoring
    • Resources
      • For Educators and Trainers
      • Tools and Technology
      • Publications
      • School Outreach
    • Event Buttons
      • Upcoming Webinars
  • Client Assistance
    • Client Resources
      • Why Should I Hire a Professional?
      • Translator vs. Interpreter
      • Getting It Right
    • More Client Resources
      • Need a Certified Translation?
      • What is Machine Translation?
      • The ATA Compass Blog
    • Find a Translator Button
      • Find a Language Professional
  • Events
    • Events
      • Annual Conference
      • Seminars and Workshops
      • Certification Exam Schedule
    • More Events
      • Virtual Events
      • Webinar Series
      • Calendar of Events
    • Event Buttons
      • Visit ATA64
      • Upcoming Webinars
         
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Advocacy and Outreach
    • ATA Media Kit
    • The ATA Chronicle
    • The ATA Podcast
    • ATA Newsbriefs
  • Member Center
    • Member Resources
      • Join ATA
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Benefits of Membership
      • Divisions
      • Chapters, Affiliates, and Other Groups
      • Get Involved
      • Shop the ATA Store
    • Already a Member?
      • Log Into Your Member Center
      • Connect with Members
      • Create Your Directory Listing
      • Become a Voting Member
      • Member Discounts
    • Member Buttons
      • Join ATA
         
      • Member Login
  • About Us
    • About ATA
      • Who We Are
      • ATA Media Kit
      • Honors and Awards Program
      • Advertise with Us
      • American Foundation for
        Translation and Interpretation
      • ATA Team
      • Contact Us
    • How ATA Works
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Code of Ethics
    • Contact Button
      • Contact ATA
  • Join ATA
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Find a Language Professional
January 14, 2022

Despite Opposition, Plan Moves Forward for Students in the U.K. to Learn 1,700 Words for General Certificate Language Exams

Industry News

Starting in 2026, students in the U.K. taking the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) academic qualification exams in Spanish, French, or German will be expected to memorize up to 1,700 frequently used words.

The decision is part of a plan by the U.K.’s Department for Education (DFE) to reform the teaching and assessment of modern foreign languages at the GCSE level. The number of candidates for the foreign language GCSEs has decreased in recent years and the government has been searching for ways to increase participation in and enthusiasm for language learning.

“Research shows that students benefit from learning the building blocks of a language first, particularly focusing on vocabulary, phonics, and grammar,” a DFE spokesperson said. “Our proposal aims to increase pupils’ motivation through this approach, and we will continue to work with professional bodies to achieve this.”

However, the current plan has met with much opposition from language associations, teaching unions, and headmasters at state and independent schools, who say it will not increase students’ interest in the study of languages. There is also concern that the plan could lead to an exodus of language teachers from the profession.

Simon Hyde, general secretary of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference, a professional association representing the world’s independent schools, said its members feared the narrow focus on grammar and vocabulary would discourage students from studying languages.

“This model will not give students the confidence in their language, both at the examination level and as a life skill, to take forward into further studies, careers, and personal endeavors,” Hyde said.

The Association for Language Learning stated that it was “very disappointed” the DFE had not opted to work collaboratively with subject associations, exam boards, and headmasters on a further review of GCSE content and development.

“There seem to be very few people, language experts included, who agree with the DFE’s view that this reform is the way to inject new life into the existing modern foreign languages GCSE,” said Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders.

“An approach is needed which encourages a love of learning of these subjects,” Barton said. “Requiring students to grind their way through a list of words is a fundamentally flawed approach that will not enthuse students, and we urge the new ministerial team at the DFE to take a step back and rethink this reform.”

Read Full Article from The Guardian (United Kingdom) (01/14/22)
Author: Adams, Richard; Bawden, Anna

News summaries © copyright 2020 SmithBucklin

Share this

Posts navigation

← Los Angeles County Foster Care System to Increase Services in Indigenous Languages
British Sign Language to Become Recognized Language in the U.K. →

Latest Posts

  • ChatGPT for Translators: How to Use the Tool to Work More Efficiently? March 28, 2023
  • Linguist in the Spotlight – Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo March 21, 2023
  • Newsbriefs: March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
  • Breaking Intercultural Communication Barriers in Business March 15, 2023
  • Get More Done as a Freelance Translator – How to Plan Your Work and Become More Productive March 15, 2023

Topics

  • Advocacy & Outreach
  • Annual Conference
  • Book Reviews
  • Business Strategies
  • Certification Exam
  • Certification Program
  • Client Assistance
  • Educators and Trainers
  • Growing Your Career
  • Industry News
  • Interpreting
  • Member Benefits
  • Member News
  • Mentoring
  • Networking
  • Public Outreach
  • Publications
  • Resources
  • School Outreach
  • Specializations
  • Starting Your Career
  • Student Resources
  • Tools and Technology
  • Translation
Language Services Directory
ata_logo_footer

American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone +1-703-683-6100
Fax +1-703-683-6122

  • Certification
  • Career and Education
  • Client Assistance
  • Events
  • News
  • Member Center
  • About Us
  • Member Login
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Submit Feedback

© 2023 - American Translators Association

Website by Yoko Co

Find a Language Professional
Scroll To Top