Now more pupils take PE than French

MORE students took A-level Chinese than German this year as they prepare for careers after Brexit, it was revealed.

There were 3,058 entries for A-level German – down 16.5 per cent on 2017, according to the Joint Council for Qualifications.

However, there were 3,334 entries for Chinese, up 8.6 per cent on 2017. Entries for A-level German have halved over the last decade and teachers warn the subject could be heading for extinction. French remains the most popular language with 8,713 entries, although this is down 8 per cent.

This is still fewer than the numbers taking PE – 11,307.

Spanish, which has seen a boost in recent years, also saw a fall in 2018, with entries down 4 per cent to 8,255.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said: ‘Chinese is now more popular as a foreign language than German which should stand us in good stead post-Brexit.’

Mark Herbert, director of schools and skills at the British Council, said: ‘Our research shows that Mandarin will be one of the most important languages for the UK’s future prosperity and global standing - but we mustn’t neglect Spanish, French and German, which will still be vital post-Brexit.’