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A campaign seeking to establish Romanian as a GCSE subject has recently gained momentum, backed by data from the 2021 census which highlights the language’s widespread use in London. Census figures reveal that, after English, Romanian ranks as the second most commonly spoken main language among London residents, with around 159,000 speakers recorded. Advocates argue this data strongly supports the introduction of Romanian as a formal GCSE option within the school curriculum.
Dr. Tessa Dunlop, a historian and leading voice in the campaign, emphasized the significance of offering Romanian GCSEs as a meaningful acknowledgment of the country’s multicultural identity. She stated, “If we can deliver this GCSE, that is really something that Britain can really take pride of – a way of owning our status as a welcoming space for migrants we have invited in, and a way of celebrating the wonderful diversity in this country.” At home, Dunlop’s two children, including her 17-year-old daughter Mara, learn Romanian. Mara shared her perspective: “It’s not just Romanians, this represents an entire unsung generation of children who cannot communicate with their culture.” She also expressed gratitude for her language skills, saying, “I am so grateful I speak Romanian.”
Support for the campaign also comes from members of the Romanian community living in the UK. Adi Lapadatescu, who has lived in London for 15 years, spoke about the cultural importance of the qualification, telling the BBC, “A GCSE is important to me and my children and for our culture, and it will be a big step for validating us and saying ‘we are here’.” He further stressed the visibility of the Romanian-speaking community, asking, “We are the second language spoken, and we want to be seen, it is important for us – isn’t it important to you as well?”
Despite the demand, exam boards have not yet introduced Romanian as an option for GCSE or A-level qualifications. An MP involved in the campaign pointed out this gap in the education system, noting that although several languages are offered, Romanian is not currently among them. The Department for Education commented that while exam boards determine which languages are available for GCSEs, they acknowledge the value of language learning. They are enhancing the primary language curriculum and introducing stepped qualifications to encourage language study. The department also stated schools can choose to teach additional languages like Romanian to meet the needs of their local communities
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