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Analysis of Modern Language A-Level Results – June 2012

Numbers taking A/L in ML

 The numbers taking A Level in languages have continued to decrease year on year since 2002 (and, for the first time, this year Spanish also saw a decline).  On the other hand, the number taking Other Languages rose; the main increase was in Chinese which rose from 2,372 in 2010 to 3,237 in 2011, with smaller increases in Polish and Portuguese).

 

 A-Level Numbers

2012

2011

2010

 

2002

French

12,511

13,196

13,907

 

16,053

German

4,773

5,166

5,562

 

7,139

Spanish

7,351

7,610

7,671

 

5,550

Other Languages

9,136

8,953

7,475

 

5,439

Total ML

33,771

34,925

34,397

 

34,157

Total entries

861,819

867,317

853,933

 

701,380

ML as % of overall

3.92%

4.03%

4.03%

 

4.87%

 

Numbers taking AS in ML

The AS figures for languages fell back this year both in relative and absolute terms following the sharp overall increase in the entries for both ML and overall totals from 2010 to 2011.

 

AS Numbers

2012

2011

2010

 

2002

French

18,721

20,579

18,096

 

22,377

German

7,119

7,859

7,001

 

9,973

Spanish

11,781

11,433

10,250

 

7,787

Other Languages

9,591

 9,923

8,836

 

5,851

Total ML

47,212

49,794

44,183

 

45,988

Total entries

1,350,345

1,411,919

1,197,490

 

995,404

ML as % of overall

3.50%

3.53%

3.69%

 

4.62%

Link with GCSE numbers:

The drop in A/L ML numbers is in line with the drop in numbers at GCSE ML gaining an A*-C grade from 2009 (ie sitting AL in 2011) to 2010  (ie sitting AL in 2012).  In French in 2009, it was  121,002; in 2010 it was 116,911 (ie drop of 3%)  In 2011 the number was 102,001, so we can expect a further and greater fall next year.  The introduction of the EBacc offers some hope for numbers in the future, although the grading issues need to be tackled in order to ensure that the increase in numbers at GCSE is turned into an increase studying for A-level

Entry profile

·         Languages are subjects where the ability profile of those taking the subject is skewed towards the upper end, leading towards high percentages gaining A and A* grades (French 39.4%, German 41.4%, Spanish 36.5% - A and A* grades of total A-Level entry)

·         This is comparable to STEM subjects (Maths 43.9%, Physics 31.9%, Chemistry 34.4%, Biology 28.8%).

·         The figure for all subjects is 26.6% - down from 27.0 in 2011.

·         However, it is significant that in Languages, whilst the NUMBERS of students gaining A*, A and B grades has remained relatively constant from 2002 to 2012, the numbers gaining C, D and E grades has  dropped sharply, and D and E grades in particular – from 3357 to 1489.

 

 A* issue

The situation which was highlighted last year around the relatively low proportion of A* grades in languages has become even more concerning. For example, whereas for the STEM subjects the percentage of students awarded A* grades (of all students awarded A - A* grades) remains high, the figures for languages have become even lower:

 

ratio of A* grades to A* + A grades

 

2012

2011

2010

 

 

2012

2011

2010

Maths

40%

40%

38%

 

French

17%

19%

20%

Physics

31%

32%

31%

 

German

19%

22%

24%

Chemistry

26%

27%

27%

 

Spanish

19%

22%

22%

Biology

28%

23%

28%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All subjects

30%

30%

30%

 

Representations regarding A* issue:

Ofqual have now accepted that there is an anomaly which was highlighted through the representations of the ALL / ISMLA / ASCL group. Ofqual are currently investigating and formulating hypotheses, and we are awaiting feedback.  There should be a transparency to this and other marking / grading processes in order to give confidence to the wider community, and it is good that there is a forthcoming ASCL Ofqual conference on October 4th regarding exams and grading generally. There is a need for a “level playing field” in grading to ensure that the efforts of students and teachers are fairly rewarded and recognised. Now that overall grade inflation is being tackled, there is an opportunity for this to be duly achieved.