But why is the government so desperate for everyone to speak foreign languages? Even after graduating from a top university with a degree in European languages, there's no one there with a smile and a cheque, offering you a job which will put them to good use - so why bother?

Sarah, London,

As to the comment from Jake regarding foreign languages stimulate the brain more than english, from your 'english and maths' comment, what is the source of your 'proven fact'........

Tony, London, UK

Having studied languages, both 'modern' and mandarin, the value of learning another language is not simply in having a paper qualification - it opens your mind to new possibilities, a new grammar, new ways of expressing yourself.

Matt, MK, UK

Everybody should learn at least one additional European language from a very young age. I really regret not taking foreign languages seriously, it would have made my life a lot easier if I'd got languages sorted sooner.

James, Prague, Czech Rep

cfraig - you have no idea what you are talking about. I know lots of people from other EU countries and their language skills mean that they can move around the globe with ease (S.America, France, US, Canada). None of my British friends have a second language and are still in the UK.

Jon Kingsbury, Southampton, UK

It is closed-minded to assume that english is the only useful languages.

As much as people may dislike it, we are part of Europe and our children are at a disadvantage to their European counterparts who are increasingly bi and tri-lingual.

Languages open a wider world culture and prospects.

Laura, London, UK

I agree with jake, I never even did my GCSE in French, but since marrying a French Lady and moving to France five years ago, I have found the whole thing wonderful. Everyone should speak a 2nd Language, it makes your World bigger, trust me I know, and then you can have billingual children, I have 2.

cam, Lyon, France

Languages give the learner an insight into the culture as well as the vocab. They are, however, difficult, so I'm not surprised the take-up has dropped.

Marcher baron, Welsh Marches,

I just did my GCSEs and took French and Spanish and Latin - to me languages are just as essential as any other part of the curriculum. Languages are universally helpful and allowing students to not study a language appears to me as national selfishness expecting others to learn our language instead.

Matt, London, UK

My son did German. Languages are difficult. You have to study, practice, & in order to do well, it generally takes money to pay for visits to the country in question to hear natives speaking it in everyday situations. So much cheaper & easier all round to take a GCSE in something far less demanding!

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

There's A Blow For Many Things Science, Engineering Most Of The Results Probably Have Little Value In Real terms.

Thomas, Surbiton, uk

While languages may be useful in some countries, it is a fact that English is the second most spoken language after Mandarin and learning english gives a far better job market advantage than learning a non-english language other than mandarin due to its widespread use.

cfraig, cambridge, uk

Langauges open the mind. Its a proven fact they stimulate parts of the brain far deeper than maths & english will ever do. In a enviroment with an ever increasing empahsis on european cohesion, its surprising the goverment replaces their forward planning, for vote counts, and social engineering.

Jake, ABZ, Scotland