Petition · past parliament · Department for Education
Teach two languages to every child as part of the National Curriculum
Closed
41 signatures
What the petition asks
The breadth of education in most subjects has improved over the last 30 years, but language teaching has gone backwards.
Most children only ever experience one foreign language, and can drop it entirely at 14. This puts them, and the nation, at a cultural and economic disadvantage in later life.
Most children only ever experience one foreign language, and can drop it entirely at 14. This puts them, and the nation, at a cultural and economic disadvantage in later life.
As a school governor and a parent of daughters in both secondary and primary schools, I know how far the standard of education has improved since I was at school - my children have better maths skills than I did at their age, greater appreciation of English grammar, and an opportunity to experience scientific and technological discovery to far greater degree.
But languages have been marginalised. In response to budget cuts and league table pressure, the scope of language teaching has narrowed.
But languages have been marginalised. In response to budget cuts and league table pressure, the scope of language teaching has narrowed.
Timeline
| 18 Feb 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 18 Aug 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
41
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education
Opened
18 Feb 2021
Closed
18 Aug 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.