Cornish language could be brought back to the classroom as a GCSE
A CORNISH language GCSE could be brought back 20 years after it was ditched due to the dwindling number of pupils sitting it.
Cornish could be taught in the classroom again
George Eustice, Tory MP for Camborne and Redruth, is campaigning to reinstate the test.
He believes local youngsters have a new enthusiasm for their heritage.
Popular TV drama Poldark, starring Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson, may have also deepened their interest.
Cornish pasties and beautiful coastline, coupled with a historic language
The exam move also fits with a greater emphasis placed by the Department for Education on schoolchildren learning a second language.
Mr Eustice said: “If they are uninspired by French or Spanish, they might feel a connection to learning native Cornish.”
Cornish, a Celtic tongue similar to Welsh and Breton, is spoken by a few hundred people in the county.
George Ansell, Cornish Language Board vice chairman, said: “The most effective course of action to spread the use of Cornish is to start learning at an early age, but the GCSE did incentivise it.”