The following article comes from Julie Sutcliffe, Education Development Lead at the Global School Alliance.
In a significant milestone for modern language education, Spanish has now overtaken French to become the most widely studied foreign language in UK secondary schools. This shift, which has been gaining momentum over the past decade, marks a profound change in the linguistic landscape of British education – with far-reaching implications for students, educators, and the future of global engagement.
Spanish’s rise in popularity is no longer a matter of speculation – it’s now supported by clear evidence. According to Tes and The Telegraph, Spanish has officially become the most popular foreign language studied at GCSE level in England, surpassing long-standing frontrunner French.
The latest provisional figures show:
- Spanish GCSE entries increased by 1.6%, reaching 131,985 students.
- French GCSE entries declined by 1.9%, falling to 128,155 students.
This represents a symbolic and historic shift – the first time Spanish has claimed the top spot among modern foreign languages in English secondary education. Yet, the trend extends beyond England. In Northern Ireland, the BBC reports that Spanish is now the most commonly taught foreign language, reflecting a nationwide evolution in language preferences.
Several factors explain this growing enthusiasm for Spanish among UK students. Its global reach is a major draw – spoken by over 480 million native speakers across more than 20 countries, Spanish ranks as one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide, offering students a powerful tool for global communication.
The cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking world also captivates learners. From the energy of Latin American music and flamenco dancing to the flavours of Spanish cuisine and the storytelling of Hispanic cinema, students are inspired by a culture that feels vibrant, modern, and relatable.
Spanish is also seen as potentially more accessible than some traditional school-taught languages. With regular grammar, phonetic spelling, and clear pronunciation, it can be easier for English-speaking students to pick up compared to French or German – helping build confidence and enthusiasm early on.
Furthermore, the career value of Spanish is becoming increasingly clear. As Latin American economies continue to grow and Spain remains a key player in Europe, Spanish is in high demand across sectors like international trade, tourism, education, and diplomacy. Mastery of the language provides students with tangible skills for a competitive global workforce.
At Global School Alliance, we see the rise of Spanish not simply as a trend, but as a transformative opportunity to enhance global learning and cultural literacy. Many of our member schools are already ahead of the curve – forming partnerships with institutions in Spain, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and beyond, and engaging in bilingual projects that bring language learning to life through real-world collaboration.
Our commitment is to ensure that schools are equipped and empowered to seize this moment. We are focused on:
- Expanding access to internationally linked learning, enabling students to connect meaningfully with their global peers.
- Championing language equity and inclusion, supporting diverse, relevant, and inclusive language programmes.
- Embedding Spanish into cross-curricular global learning projects, from sustainability and the SDGs to history, arts, and identity – ensuring language education is woven into the wider learning journey.
We also provide practical, high-impact support for educators. Our CPD and training resources include online workshops, webinars and teaching resources grounded in modern pedagogical practice. Teachers across our network benefit from a strong, collaborative community that shares ideas, challenges, and innovations.
Additionally, GSA offers educational travel experiences where students and staff can visit partner schools in Spanish-speaking countries. These immersive trips deepen cultural understanding and give students the chance to develop real-world language fluency in meaningful contexts.
At the heart of our work is a clear goal: to help schools nurture future-ready students – individuals who are confident, curious, and prepared to thrive in multilingual, multicultural communities both locally and globally.
The emergence of Spanish as the UK’s most studied foreign language is more than just a statistic – it’s a signal of the times.
As our world becomes ever more connected, language learning has never been more relevant.
Whether you’re already collaborating with a Spanish school or just beginning your international journey, we’d love to connect with you. By joining our global community of educators, we can support you with:
- School partnerships across Spanish-speaking countries (and more!!)
- Collaborative curriculum projects and bilingual initiatives
- CPD and training tailored to modern language teaching
- Student exchange opportunities and immersive experiences
