Summary
Campaigners in the UK are advocating for Romanian to be offered as a GCSE course. Census data shows Romanian is the second most common language in London after English. The campaign is supported by certain local MPs and Romanian community members who see this as a way to acknowledge and integrate cultural diversity.
Key Facts
- Romanian is the second most commonly spoken language in London after English, with 159,000 speakers.
- A campaign led by historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop wants Romanian to be added as a GCSE subject.
- Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas supports the campaign for Romanian as a GCSE option.
- Romanian families in the UK feel that having this option would help their children connect with their culture.
- The Department for Education says exam boards decide which languages are offered as GCSEs.
- The 2021 census showed that about 20% of Londoners speak a main language other than English.
- Romanian had the highest increase in speakers in London from 2011 to 2021, growing by 120,000 people.
