Leighton Buzzard Scout Group win big as Alex Mayer MP will be crowned Duolingo’s Parliament Language Champion

The Bedfordshire MP came top of the class in a competition for all of Westminster‘s MPs and Peers organised by the popular language learning app.

Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard MP Alex Mayer says: “Learning another language opens up opportunities and broadens horizons. And it makes sound economic sense too, in today’s globalised world where we trade internationally. With Duolingo, learning a language is easy and good fun. Collecting XP and gems and doing ‘quests’ with friends feels more like a game than studying.”

The MP is concerned that languages are falling out of fashion in our schools as figures suggest a sharp drop after GCSE, with around 95% of pupils choosing not to continue to A-level.

Just 1731 pupils gained a modern language A‑level across the East of England last year, compared with 1842 in 2020/1. Across the whole of Thurrock zero pupils studied for French exams, while in Luton zero pupils achieved a German A-level.

In contrast 1624 pupils secured an A-level in Physical Education.

Department for Education data shows a long-term collapse in modern language A-level entries since the mid-1990s with only Spanish bucking the trend.

And in the Commons, just 13% of MPs can speak a foreign language fluently, a plunge of more than a third in 20 years.

But there is cause for optimism. Data from Duolingo shows thousands of people across the East of England downloading the app and taking up a language for fun.

2026 sees pupils taking new style GCSE exams with a focus on practical everyday language skills, with updated vocabulary covering everything from social media to separating the rubbish for recycling.

The government is stepping up too, offering schools up to £20,000 to train language apprentices.

Meanwhile it is hoped the UK’s return to the study abroad Erasmus+ scheme could boost a revival for languages.

Alex Mayer MP said: “There’s a clear appetite for languages across the East of England, but right now too many young people are dropping language study at an early stage. They’re missing out on a lot of fun and on the important skills that will help them succeed as individuals and boost the nation’s global trade so vital to growing the UK economy.

The Westminster Duolingo competition sparks an important conversation about how we can give young people the opportunities and skills they deserve and the nation needs.”

Ms Mayer is donating her £6,000 first prize from Duolingo to Church Riverside Scout Group in Leighton Buzzard and Girlguiding Houghton Regis.

“I’m thrilled to be able to scoop a cash prize for these local girlguides and scouts groups. I’m looking forward to seeing the fantastic ways my young constituents will benefit,” added the Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard MP

Among those attending the award event are Duo the large green owl, mascot of Duolingo; MPs and Peers who took part in the challenge; Michael Lynas, Director of Duolingo; representatives from Riverside Scout Group Leighton Buzzard and Girlguiding Houghton Regis who will receive an oversized cheque.