COUNCILLORS have backed a plan they hope will encourage more youngsters in County Durham to study foreign languages.

Durham County Council is concerned that the number of pupils learning languages such as French, German and Spanish to GCSE level has fallen since the requirement to take a language up to the age of 16 was removed from the national curriculum.

A report earlier this year by the council's lifelong learning scrutiny sub-committee noted that youngsters taking GCSEs in languages was expected to drop to about 2,500 next year from 4,400 in 2002.

Sub-committee members expressed concern that a lack of skill in foreign languages could hamper the ability of local exporters to do business with overseas companies.

They also pointed out that knowledge of foreign languages by people in the county's tourism industry would help improve the customer care given to foreign visitors and help expand the industry.

The council's cabinet has backed a strategy to get more 14 to 19-year-olds learning a second language.

The council says this approach is more in tune with the needs of business and more relevant to young people.

It includes introducing the new Languages Ladder accreditation framework for schools and colleges. It recognises different levels of skills, provides careers advice on using a foreign language and gets employers involved with language learning.

Neil Foster, cabinet member for children's services, said different approaches to languages were needed.

"Do we need a solid grounding in one language, or general knowledge of a few? Traditionally, we have dealt in European languages. But today, the fastest rising language in business terms is Chinese.