Mark Payne (Sheffield) p.46-69
2012 Issue 1
Abstract
Statistics point to a steady decline in German exam take up at GCSE and A-Level in England, with a knock-on effect within Higher Education. Focusing on the secondary school system in England in particular, issues around the position of German have been considered within the broader debates on language diversification in relation to decisions based upon economics, politics, education and linguistics. This has all been set against the background of the hegemonic position of French in English schools. However, data drawn from some 50 secondary schools and 86 language teachers underline that it might not be all ‘doom and gloom’ Indeed, there are schools where the teaching and learning of German is positively thriving. Such schools might point to possibilities for ensuring the survival of German within the curriculum.