Fewer NI pupils studying modern languages

The number of pupils taking modern languages at GCSE level in Northern Ireland has fallen by more than 40% in the past 15 years.

The figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications show a significant decline in exam entries in many languages.

It comes as results from a BBC survey suggest that a third of schools in Northern Ireland have stopped offering French, German or Spanish at GCSE in the past five years.

Some 117 post-primary schools responded - more than 60% of NI schools.