The graph illustrates the language options chosen by 13-year-old students in English schools from 2000 to the present. Overall, the number of students enrolled in French experienced a sharp decline over the period, whereas the student population taking Mandarin exhibited a completely opposite trend, showing continuous growth.
In 2000, French was the most popular language, with 160 students enrolled. Its numbers fell rapidly until 2004, reaching approximately 120 students, after which there was a slight recovery. However, by the present, the number of French students had gradually declined to around 100, indicating an overall downward trend.
On the other hand, Mandarin started with only about 10 students in 2000. Its enrollment increased substantially during the early 2000s, reaching roughly 50 students by 2005. Following some minor fluctuations, the number of students continued to rise steadily, ultimately reaching approximately 120 students by the end of the period.