Surely the answer is to change it so that state school children must have a foreign language, rather than penalising Cambridge for asking for this? I'm from a state school and languages have certainly helped me progress my career. The Brits lag far behind when it comes to second languages.

Gary, London, England

To enforce total equality, with every state school pupil having an equal opportunity to go to a prestigious university, there is a simple solution (which no doubt the Labour government will soon introduce). Ban the requirement to be able to read.

Dave, Wrexham,

Shouldn't schools be following the universities' lead, not the other way around? Its sad to see Cambridge dumbing down its entrance requirements.This will lead to state schools dropping languages altogether, so the knock-on effect for the majority of 11-16s in the country will be disastrous.

John Smith, York, UK

Unbelievable! What fools at Cambridge made this decision? When will this country's schools and universities ever wake up to the fact that being able to speak a foreign language isn't just a luxury?

Chris Thompson, Rotherham, UK

In the state schools they have lessons in global warming, sexual orientation, the evils of capitalism and Britain's imperial past, multiculturalism, how to fit a condom, the latest fads of healthy eating, the wonders of the E U, and all the other politically correct nonsense. No time for French.

George , Bolton, England

If academic standards are to be maintained, I hope that this move is just politically expedient - to get the imbecilic bureaucrats off their backs. Actual places will still be decided based on academic potential of which linguistic ability is a key component. If I'm wrong, heaven help Cambridge.

Sanjit Maitra, Singapore,