Why consider a foreign language at A Level? A recent report from the Department of Trade and Industry states that: "UK exports are adversely affected by barriers in language or cultural ignorance. Over 20% of employers reported a sharp increase in the need for language skills in their workforces. There is already a serious shortage of English mother-tongue interpreters, translators and language specialists in industry and commerce. A thorough knowledge of one or more languages is now a life skill in multi-cultural Britain and a globalised economy". The United Kingdom is the only country in the EU where the study of a foreign language post-16 is not commonplace, and so British pupils who have a post-16 qualification in a foreign language are at a distinct advantage in the jobs market. The study of one or more foreign languages at A Level is an enjoyable, challenging and intellectually stimulating activity in itself and is also a valuable additional skill when studied alongside any combination of other subjects. The A Level qualification has value as an additional skill in any portfolio of subjects, but is also the passport to a great variety of university courses involving language study, ranging from the traditional specialist language and literature courses through to combinations involving management, law, business, other arts subjects and even sciences. Language graduates are among the highest performers in terms of employability after graduation. The Sixth Form course in these languages at A Level ensures a smooth transition from GCSE to A Level, revising and extending the topic areas and skills mastered at GCSE, before moving onto the more complex and intellectually demanding work.