School language learning decline tackled by universities

French is the main foreign language taught in schools in Wales

A new scheme to help reverse a sharp decline in foreign language learning in schools in Wales has been announced by four universities.

In June, a report found the number of children studying a language at GCSE fell by a third between 2005 and 2014.

Under the pilot project, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff and Swansea undergraduates will be trained to coach school pupils on their language skills.

The scheme is funded by Welsh ministers' Global futures programme.

Prof Claire Gorrara from Cardiff University, the academic leading the project, said there was increasing evidence the drop in foreign language learning was limiting young people's educational, training and career opportunities.

She said there had been a similar decline in Northern Ireland, but "England and Scotland are making their own headway due to their own policy approaches".

"While modern languages face an uncertain future in Wales, partnership initiatives, such as this student mentoring initiative, are addressing this problem and supporting the development of a more internationally-mobile and culturally-informed workforce for Welsh economic growth," Prof Gorrara added.