Spanish overtakes French as most popular foreign language GCSE
GCSE entries for Spanish rose by 1.6 per cent to 131,965 this summer, provisional data for England show, edging French off the top spot for the first time in more than a decade.
Spanish has risen in popularity in recent years, with GCSE entries jumping almost half since 2014, when 89,450 teenagers took the subject.
The boost may be in part fuelled by growing British interest in the Spanish islands as a holiday destination, one union has claimed.
Pepe Di'Iasio, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the rising dominance of Spanish at GCSE level was because 'young people may be more familiar with the Spanish language, because of the popularity of Spain, the Balearics and Canary Islands as holiday destinations'.
Spain is now the top foreign holiday choice for Britons, with 17.8 million visits made in 2023, according to research published by the House of Commons.
The country's islands are now so popular among UK holidaymakers that many have seen a rise in anti-tourist protests in the past year, including in Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza.
France is still the second choice for Britons travelling abroad, but is thought to be falling out of favour among young people in search of cheap, sun-filled beach holidays.
Meanwhile, trips to Germany dropped by more than 900,000 between 2019 and 2023, meaning the country is no longer in the top 10, as new destinations such as Turkey and Poland also creep up the chart.
It may explain why French and German are now both on the wane at GCSE while Spanish sees increasing traction.
The number of teenagers sitting GCSE French has slumped by a fifth since 2014, while German entries have dwindled by around 45 per cent over that time, according to Telegraph analysis of Ofqual figures.
In total, 128,155 pupils are expecting their GCSE results in French this summer, marking a 1.9 per cent fall compared to last year.
German entries dropped 7.6 per cent to 32,430 across the same period, having collapsed over the past decade or so.
There are fears that German could die out altogether as a language choice among British pupils, with the number of children taking the subject at GCSE this year representing around a quarter of those sitting either French and Spanish.
Provisional data for England show a similar pattern at at A-level, with entries for French and German down by 8.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively, while entries for Spanish rose 1.4 per cent this summer.
Mr Di'Iasio said: 'The growing popularity of Spanish is really good news as there has been a long-term decline in modern foreign languages, but we do need to do more at a national level to boost language learning more generally.'
Others have pointed to a lack of specialist teachers in state schools under a worsening recruitment and retention crisis.
Languages are not compulsory at GCSE level, but many schools choose to make them part of their core syllabus.
Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders' union NAHT, said: 'With recruitment challenges really biting in schools, some simply don't have the teachers they need to offer courses in certain subjects.
'Teacher recruitment targets were missed in computing, chemistry, physics and modern foreign languages in the last couple of years, and these are among the subjects which experienced a fall in entries.'
Statistics, performing arts and music were the biggest risers in GCSE subjects this year, according to provisional Ofqual data published on Thursday, with engineering, German and physics recording the biggest falls in entries.
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Sky News
35 minutes ago
- Sky News
Bournemouth: The seaside town 'changed' by immigration - where non-British-born population rose nearly 50%
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Times
7 hours ago
- Times
Santorini v Mykonos: which is better?
There's a reason why Santorini and Mykonos are Greece's most celebrated islands. These Cycladic siblings are only 60 miles apart, yet their similarities — direct flights, rocky landscapes, sugar-cube architecture — are much less pronounced than their distinctly different natures. So which one is for you? Santorini's claim to fame is being the ultimate romantic island, thanks to its one-of-a-kind views across the midnight-blue waters of a sea-filled volcano. Mykonos, on the other hand, is more about sandy beaches and a see-and-be-seen, all-summer-long party scene. Whatever kind of holiday you're after — be that a honeymoon, a solo trip, a romantic escape or a knees-up with friends — both islands deliver. Each has beaches (mostly golden in Mykonos, black in Santorini) where family-friendly appeal meets lively beach clubs, and there are fascinating ruins from ancient civilisations to discover. True, Mykonos has more edge, but Santorini wins at wineries — and in terms of dreamy scenery, it's utterly peerless. If you're torn between the two, this guide should help you find your way to whichever one ticks your boxes. And if you still can't decide? No worries: with ferry connections between the two taking only a couple of hours, it's super-straightforward to visit both islands in a single (and incredible) wish-list trip. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Winner Mykonos From a tourism perspective, both islands shut down for the winter; but in the summer months they're positively booming. Though Santorini's selling point is its sweeping volcanic caldera, there are beaches here too, mostly made of black pebbles or sand that shelve into the Aegean Sea, with the biggest and best being the east coast resorts of Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos. A notable exception to the dark-sand rule is Red beach, which sits beneath crimson cliffs and is best accessed by catamaran. In short, the beaches are memorable but not the main attraction. Mykonos, on the other hand, is all about the beach. Beyond a handful of wilder shores such as sleepy Agios Sostis or hidden-away Fokos up in the north, the best beaches are strung along the south. From Platis Gialos to Paradise, laid-back beats drift over the sand, while several (notably Psarou and Super Paradise) have see-and-be-seen beach clubs. Renting loungers and parasols can be shockingly expensive (especially the row nearest the sea); but for sensational swims mixed with all-day buzz, there's nowhere quite like Mykonos. Mykonos is at its loveliest — and most crowd-free — at the end of the season, when the weather remains warm and you'll have many of the beaches to yourself. Visit on a cruise from Athens: Silversea offers stylish autumn sailings that calls at both Mykonos and Santorini, with plenty of time for getting your toes in the sand. Short on time? Take a shorter, scenic cruise in Mykonos, with swimming stops at some of its beaches. • Discover our full guide to Greece Winner Mykonos Mykonos isn't the archipelago's only party hotspot. Santorini's main town, Fira, has a lively summertime bar scene. Things get particularly busy in the early evening, when crowds converge on the rim of the caldera to soak up sunset views. The best spots of all are the bars and restaurants with bijou rooftop terraces; come back later at night and the party vibe spills into the streets. For for a more relaxed experience, head to Oia and aim for Santo Pure or Canaves Epitome, whose sophisticated sunset lounges feel far removed from the hubbub of the village. Sunset is also peak hour at bars on Mykonos, especially in the capital, Mykonos Town. Come early if you want to grab a table at the most popular places along the Little Venice waterfront. It gets crowded, but you'll never forget the views of the landmark windmills bathed in the golden hour's glow. Fancy something less hectic? The open-air bar at Deos Mykonos, a luxurious hilltop hotel with views across town to the windmills, is outstanding. Whichever you choose, remember to pack plenty of stamina: Mykonos Town is an all-nighter kind of place. Winner Santorini Beyond its sunset-facing bars, Fira has plenty of decent restaurants for sampling Greek cuisine (be sure to try fava, a typical mezedakia dip made with Santorini-grown beans). The next villages along the caldera, Firostefani and Imerovigli, also have great spots for dining and are generally more relaxed than Fira. Further round again, the clifftop village of Oia has the most in-demand tables at fine-dining establishments where open-air terraces cascade down the caldera. Among them, the modern Greek cuisine at Adami is a hit. In keeping with its reputation for conspicuous consumption, Mykonos has plenty of fancy restaurants, several with Michelin stars. Fine dining is a feature at the best hotels, but be careful at some of the beach clubs, where prices can be astronomical. Mykonos has some of the most expensive restaurants in Greece, but with more affordable spots in town (Leonidas is a favourite for souvlaki), dining out doesn't need to blow your budget. For a fun but sophisticated supper in a secret garden in Mykonos Town, book ahead at the enduringly popular Interni Restaurant & Bar. Winner It's a tie: both islands have brilliant hotels Santorini's signature is its cave-house architecture. Carved into the cliffs' softer layers, many are now luxury hotels with rooms and suites (often with private plunge pools) facing out across the flooded caldera. They're unique — and the setting is so special that these are among the priciest hotel rooms in Greece. Perivolas in Oia is a standout, as is whiter-than-white Canaves Ena; or try Kivotos in Imerovigli, which goes against the grain with its all-dark interiors. Hotels beyond the crater need to be stunning to draw guests away from those views. Seek out the exceptional Sandblu Resort near Kamari Beach, or the all-villa Santorini Sky in hilltop Pyrgos. Similarly, if you're looking for larger rooms than most cave hotels can accommodate, Santo Pure — on the island's gentler slope yet within walking distance of Oia — is outstanding. Santo Pure offers ample space and a resort-style ambience with sensational sunset views. Read our full review of Santo Pure Read our full review of Canaves Ena Read our full review of Santorini Sky • More great hotels in Santorini Not to be outdone, Mykonos also has plenty of top-notch hotels: and because they're not crowded along a caldera, they tend to offer more in terms of facilities and space. You could choose to stay somewhere close to the action like Theoxenia or Semeli Hotel, both in Mykonos Town; or a five-star retreat above the beach, such as Myconian Ambassador. The once overlooked east coast is becoming increasingly popular; a chic option here is Numo Mykonos, near Kalafatis beach. Alternatively, shun the crowds altogether at super-stylish the Wild Hotel by Interni, which epitomises bohemian chic and sits above its own private cove. You'll love the laid-back vibes and breeze-free beach at the Wild, near Agia Anna. Read our full review of the Wild Hotel by Interni • More great hotels in Mykonos Winner Santorini Sunset is a highlight when you visit Santorini, whether it's viewed from an Oia hotel suite's pool, a cliff-edge Imerovigli restaurant or even at sea on a sunset cruise; but there's much more to do here besides. A vineyard tour will uncover the secrets of Santorini's assyrtiko grapes; the hike along the crater from Fira to Oia is fantastic; or check out Akrotiri, an ancient settlement that, like Pompeii, was smothered by volcanic ash. Tour the site, then see its treasures in Fira's archaeological museum. Sunsets are just as spectacular in Mykonos; favourite spots to watch them include Mykonos Town's Little Venice and windmills, or the lighthouse at Armenistis. Summer winds bring ideal conditions for kitesurfing, especially at Ftelia and Korfos. There's history on the neighbouring (uninhabited) island of Delos, which makes for delightful day trips; or step back into less ancient times at Rizes, a working farm that serves up homegrown produce. And while those with kids tend to holiday on cheaper isles, the beaches of Mykonos are that bit more family-friendly than Santorini's. Trafalgar's two-week Best of Greece tour takes in the country's most memorable spots, from Athens to historic Meteora. You'll have five days to explore Santorini and Mykonos, staying at stylish boutique hotels. Learn all about (and taste) Santorini's indigenous wines on a half-day tour. • Best things to do in Santorini• Best things to do in Mykonos OK, so both isles are pretty evenly matched in terms of their standout appeal, but if we have to pick an overall winner, there's only one contender. Although Mykonos may be marvellous, next-door Paros is rapidly catching up with its profile and party scene; but Santorini's geographic splendour is impossible to replicate — and that alone is enough to hand it the crown.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Horror moment TORNADO hits Spanish resort sending furniture at tourist cafe flying during rare ‘Satan's Storm'
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