Dumbing Down at Cambridge

Cambridge University is dumbing down in order to try and meet it's target of having 60-63% of pupils from State Schools. In this case it will be dropping the requirement that students have passed a foreign language at GCSE ('O' level to oldies like me) level.

This is because nowadays in our dumbed down society less than 50% of Students from State Schools take a foreign language at GCSE level.

The university said one of the factors that has led to the review, was the fact that from 2004, children were no longer required to take a foreign language after the age of 14.

It said having a formal entry requirement that at least half of all GCSE students are unable to meet "was not acceptable in the context of Cambridge's commitment to widening participation and access".

Experts argue that many schools draw back from offering languages at GCSE because they are perceived as "difficult" subjects.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said forcing children to study languages does not motivate pupils.

"This is a position strongly supported by Lord Dearing in his review of languages in schools, and by teachers and employers.

"We are providing a more diverse range of qualifications - like Language Ladders, which work in a similar way to musical grades - and better teacher training, to motivate and enthuse students.

"There is now over £50 million a year being invested in language learning, and from 2010 every primary school pupil will learn a foreign tongue - which will help instil a love of languages at an earlier age."

All I can say is that we reap what we sow in terms of what we are going to get out of our schools. If we don't teach subjects because they are perceived as difficult how can we expect students to do well at a good University where hopefully the subjects will all be "difficult".

As the product of a state school, albeit one of the best in Britain, I can only think of the horror some of my school masters would have had at the thought of this now being the case.

My whole class of 30 achieved a grade A at 'O' level French, whilst also studying two other Languages. This cost my French Master a total of £2:10 as he had to buy us each a Mars bar having bet against us all achieving an 'A' grade.

BBC NEWS | Education | Cambridge drops language demand