CBSE third language policy throws French, Spanish, German teachers across schools into crisis

R1 R2 R3 Language Levels CBSE: “For years, our school corridors echoed with ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Guten Tag’. But as the National Education Policy begins to shape school timetables, the traditional third-language space is being taken over by Indian languages,” said a senior foreign language teacher in a Delhi private school. French, German, Spanish and other foreign-language teachers in Central Board of Secondary Education-affiliated English-medium private schools are finding their jobs at risk, thanks to CBSE’s language policy.

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In a set of reforms aligned with the NEP 2020, the CBSE mandatory third language policy brings two crucial reforms. First, it makes a third language mandatory from Class 6 to Class 10 where, previously, it was studied only till Class 8; second, it requires CBSE schools to teach two Indian languages and one foreign one and classifies English, even where it’s the medium of instruction, as a ‘foreign language’.

In consequence, elite, English-medium private schools, which once offered a host of other European or Asian languages as options for the CBSE third language, can no longer do so. CBSE’s new language policy is being rolled out with Class 6 from the 2026-27 academic session and, as Academia360 was the first to report, it has left Sanskrit as the only R3 option for third language in many schools; R1 and R2 are the medium of instruction and a second language, usually the state one.

This effectively phases out other foreign languages – French, German, Spanish and others – unless they are taken as a fourth, non-mandatory subject. It has also brought tremendous uncertainty to thousands of teachers who fear losing jobs as foreign-language learning is turned into a club activity, an add-on to an already-heavy curriculum.

CBSE Third Language Mandate: French, German classes cut

A French language teacher at a South Delhi private school, requesting anonymity, said she has spent more than a decade building the department, organising exchange programmes, preparing students for board assessments and encouraging language learning beyond textbooks. She now does not know whether there will be enough teaching hours next year.

She added that many parents had already begun asking whether children should shift to private coaching if school periods are cut.

CBSE 3 Language Policy: Teacher training

Natasha Goenka, a German language teacher who just resigned from a school in central Delhi said that language educators had invested heavily in international certifications, continuous training and years of specialised preparation, often with limited career mobility outside schools.

“This is not a subject where schools can replace us overnight or redeploy us elsewhere. We trained specifically for German language teaching. Many of us paid for advanced certifications ourselves because schools wanted qualified faculty. If enrolment falls, we are left in limbo,” she said. She also added that the concern was not only about salary, but also the erosion of a subject teachers had spent years trying to make relevant for Indian students.

Another French language faculty member from Gurugram said schools were being cautious publicly, but staff members were worried privately as management reviewed staffing plans for the coming academic sessions.

“No principal wants to announce cuts, but everyone is reviewing budgets. Foreign language departments are often seen as optional. That makes us vulnerable. We are being told to wait and watch, but teachers have families, rent, loans and career decisions to make,” she said.

She added that some colleagues were exploring freelance tutoring or online teaching options as a backup.

Third Language in CBSE: Puducherry’s R3 dilemma

In Puducherry, where French has a historic and cultural presence, Premalatha, a senior teacher at a private higher secondary school said the policy shift had created confusion among both educators and families.

“In Puducherry, French is not just another foreign language. It has historical roots here, and many families choose it because of cultural links, scholarships and future opportunities. Students grow up hearing the language around them. If schools reduce it only to optional classes, it changes that ecosystem,” she said.

She said several students had approached her asking whether they should continue with French or move to another language considered safer under the new system.

“For teachers like us, this is emotional as well as professional. We have preserved a linguistic tradition in classrooms for years. Now we are uncertain whether there will be enough sections, enough periods, or even enough value attached to the subject in the future,” she said.

Puducherry, formerly Pondicherry, was a French colony.

R1 R2 R3 in CBSE: ‘Rethinking career path’

A German language teacher associated with Max Mueller Bhavan, who has been teaching on contract in a few schools, said the policy shift has directly affected educators like him because many schools are reconsidering or dropping foreign language options.

“For years, I travelled between schools on contract assignments, taking German classes where institutions did not have permanent faculty. That model itself is now under pressure because many schools are moving out of the option altogether,” he said.

He added that the uncertainty had forced him to rethink his career path.

CBSE Language Policy: Schools may ‘discontinue offerings’

Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka, said the school recently addressed the issue during a parent-teacher meeting on Saturday.

“For the next four years, we have created an additional club period for students who wish to continue French and German. We have managed the timetable so that interested children do not lose access. Those teachers are being retained,” Acharya said.

At Tagore International School, East of Kailash, principal Malika Preman said the policy raises practical questions for schools where English is treated as a medium of instruction rather than a native language.

“If two native Indian languages are to be prioritised, and English is not considered a native language, then the room for a foreign language becomes very limited. We may eventually have to discontinue some offerings in two to three years,” Preman said. “For now, French classes are continuing through online weekend sessions at no extra cost to students. At the same time, we will need to hire more Sanskrit and Hindi teachers as demand rises.”

French, Spanish, German Language Course: Extra cost

Parents and students still want the foreign language option but at many schools, these German, Spanish, French courses now come at an extra cost as learning shifts outside regular school hours. This is happening even in schools where the third language was taught beyond Class 8.

Riya Malhotra, a Class 10 student from East Delhi studying French, said her family recently enrolled her in private weekend classes after hearing that school periods for the subject may reduce.

“I chose French in middle school because it helps in future applications and also because I just like the language. Now I asked my parents for coaching classes because I am unsure how long regular classes will continue,” she said. Her mother, Neha Malhotra, said families were not expecting extra expenses for a subject already offered in school. “If schools move such subjects outside the timetable, it becomes an added burden for parents,” she said.

Aarav Khanna, a parent from South Delhi, said the family had enrolled their child in private Spanish and German classes after fearing school language options could narrow.

“We decided to invest in private lessons because foreign languages still matter for college and career opportunities. If schools reduce these subjects, only students who can afford outside classes will continue. That should not become the reality,” he said. He also added, “If foreign languages survive only through paid tuition, many interested students may be left out.”