In a report into languages A levels , the A Level Content Advisory Board (Alcab), which was set up by the Russell Group to oversee A-level content, proposes ¡°significant changes¡­designed to produce a rich and rewarding qualification¡±.

It follows an investigation by a panel of leading academics, chaired by Stephen Parker, professor of German at the University of Manchester, which identifies five weaknesses in current modern languages A levels.

These include the tendency to re-teach subjects addressed at GCSE, a desire to not penalise grammatical mistakes and a lack of understanding of linguistic systems.

The report notes a ¡°grave decline in the numbers studying modern languages beyond the age of 16¡±, saying that they have been ¡°traditionally viewed as a difficult subject¡±.

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But ¡°serious deficiencies¡± in content have also led modern languages to be viewed as ¡°dull and uninspiring¡±, it adds.

In a letter by Alcab chairman Nigel Thrift, vice-chancellor of the University of Warwick, sent on 7 July to Michael Gove, then education secretary, he says the panel wants to ¡°re-establish modern languages¡± through the ¡°revivification of content by means of critical and analytical study of literary works and of themes concerning cultural and social concerns in countries where the language of study is spoken¡±.

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They also want ¡°a consistent approach to the importance of linguistic accuracy as a determiner of meaning¡±, he writes.

The report follows calls by Mr Gove for universities to ¡°take ownership¡± of A levels to restore rigour to the qualifications. However, a review of subjects by Lancaster University vice-chancellor Mark E. Smith found that most subjects were broadly fit for purpose, with only a handful requiring substantial reform, which would be led by Alcab.

As part of the Alcab reviews published on 17 July, Professor Thrift recommends some limited changes to maths and geography A-level syllabuses, but says classical languages A levels require only a small amount of fine-tuning.

In his letter, Professor Thrift adds that the AS qualification, which the government has decided should not count towards A levels but can be taken as a separate qualification, is ¡°valuable and valued by universities¡±.

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He adds that teachers will need training and resources if they are to be able to teach the new syllabuses by 2016.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com