A FALL in the number of pupils studying languages may threaten the region's tourist industry, it has been claimed.

Concern has been expressed at the drop in numbers of County Durham teenagers deciding to study a foreign language before their GCSE year.

The reduction is partly due to changes in the National Curriculum that mean studying a modern foreign language is no longer compulsory at Key Stage 4 for 14-year-olds.

It is thought the change, introduced last month, hastened the decline, with an estimated 50 per cent of pupils entering year ten in the county not taking a language this academic year.

That contributed to a year-on-year fall of about 1,000 pupils studying a language at GCSE. A similar drop is reported in numbers studying two languages, from 6.6 to four per cent in the past year.

Ian McKenzie, the county council's head of overview and scrutiny, said the decline was contrary to the aims of the Strategic Vision for County Durham.

The strategy document, launched by the county council in the summer, said language skills were an important tool in attracting trade and industry, as well as tourism.

Mr McKenzie said: "The study of modern foreign languages by pupils in the county could add value to the tourist industry in terms of customer care to foreign tourists.

"An analysis would, however, need to be made about the most appropriate languages to be studied by those pupils interested in the tourist industry."

Mr McKenzie said developments designed to address the problem include Government funding to encourage introduction of foreign languages in primary schools.

County Durham is also classed as a regional training centre for teachers of modern foreign languages, backed by the National Languages Organisation.

Mr McKenzie called on the county council to encourage a more strategic approach to the study of foreign languages to meet the needs of tourism and industry in the county.

The council has also been urged to raise the issue of a decline in the study of languages with the Local Government Association to prompt more discussion of the problem.

Mr McKenzie's report goes before members of the county council's overview and scrutiny committee on Monday.