Languages and education in the United Kingdom (UK)

Statistics report about languages and education in the United Kingdom (UK)

Languages and education in the United Kingdom (UK)

This report provides a detailed look at languages and education in the United Kingdom. As well as presenting statistics on pupils taking foreign languages at A level or equivalent, this report includes an in depth perspective on migrant languages in UK schools and as well as on the UK's own regional and sign languages in education.

Table of contents

Foreign languages at A level

8
  • Basic Statistic Number of A Level entries in foreign languages in the UK 2022-2024
  • Premium Statistic England: European language candidates at A level from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic European language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018
  • Premium Statistic Scotland: Higher European language entries 2009-2018
  • Premium Statistic A levels: European language learners in Wales from 2011 to 2019
  • Premium Statistic Wales: European language candidates at A level from 2011 to 2019
  • Premium Statistic A levels: European language learners in Northern Ireland from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: European language candidates at A level from 2011-2019

UK regional languages in schools

11
  • Basic Statistic Number of students taught using the Gaelic language Scotland 2018-2023
  • Basic Statistic Scotland: total secondary pupils having lessons in Gaelic in 2017
  • Premium Statistic Gaelic language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018
  • Basic Statistic Number of students taught using the Welsh language Wales 2020-2024
  • Premium Statistic Wales: number of secondary students with lessons in Welsh 2011-2018
  • Premium Statistic A levels: Welsh language learners in Wales from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic Number of A Level entries in Welsh in Wales 2011-2024
  • Basic Statistic Number of students taught using the Irish language Northern Ireland 2018-2024
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: share of secondary students with lessons in Irish 2001-2017
  • Premium Statistic A levels: Irish language learners in Northern Ireland from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic A levels: Irish language learners in Northern Ireland from 2011-2019

Foreign languages at A level in England

5
  • Premium Statistic England: A level European language candidates in 2019
  • Premium Statistic England: A level French statistics trend 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic England: A level German statistics trend 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic England: A level Spanish statistics trend 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic A levels: European language learners in England in 2019

Foreign languages at A level in Scotland

4
  • Premium Statistic French language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018
  • Premium Statistic German language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018
  • Premium Statistic Spanish language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018
  • Premium Statistic Italian language learners in Scotland at Higher Level, 2011-2018

Foreign languages at A level in Wales

5
  • Premium Statistic Wales: A level European language candidates in 2019
  • Premium Statistic French: A level candidates in Wales from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic German: A level candidates in Wales from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic Spanish: A level candidates in Wales from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic A levels: European language learners in Wales in 2019

Foreign languages at A level in Northern Ireland

5
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: European language candidates at A level in 2019
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: French language candidates at A level from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: German language candidates at A level from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: Spanish language candidates at A level from 2011-2019
  • Premium Statistic A levels: European language learners in Northern Ireland from 2011-2019

Sign language in schools

4
  • Basic Statistic England: languages used by deaf pupils in schools in 2016/2017
  • Basic Statistic Scotland: languages used by deaf pupils in schools in 2014/15
  • Basic Statistic Wales: languages used by deaf pupils in schools in 2016/17
  • Basic Statistic Northern Ireland: languages used by deaf pupils in schools in 2014/15

English as an Additional Language (EAL) pupils in the United Kingdom

7
  • Premium Statistic Percentage of pupils whose first language is not English in England 2024, by region
  • Basic Statistic Scotland: EAL students at school in 2017 by English ability
  • Basic Statistic Non-English main home languages in Scottish schools 2023
  • Basic Statistic Wales: EAL pupils in 2017 by region
  • Basic Statistic Most common non-English languages spoken in Welsh schools in 2020
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: EAL students at primary school 2011-2017
  • Premium Statistic Northern Ireland: EAL students at secondary school 2011-2017

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