Romanian GCSE Campaign Gains Momentum in UK

0:00It's March 1st, and this episode is brought to you by NordVPN, fast, reliable online privacy. Links in the episode description. Here's what's happening across the UK. A new campaign is pushing to add Romanian as an option for GCSE exams in the UK. Campaigners point to the 2021 census, which shows Romanian as the second most common main language in London after English, spoken by one. 159,000 people. The effort is led by British historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, who specializes in Romania and has support from Labour MP Gareth Thomas for Hero West. Romanian speakers in the area grew by 120,000 over the past decade, outpacing languages like Spanish and Polish. Families with Romanian roots say a GCSE would help kids connect to their heritage and feel more included. Parents and teens involved note it would validate their community, much like options already exist for Polish, and celebrate the UK's growing, diversity. Examples decide on GCSE languages, according to the Department for Education.

1:04Officials are boosting language learning in primary schools, with new qualifications, and encourage schools to teach community languages like Romanian, in their broader curriculum. This push highlights how education can bridge cultures in modern Britain, with campaigners hopeful exam boards will step up soon. soon.