There are concerns New Zealand may be compromised on the international stage, as fewer schoolkids choose to learn a second language.

Ministry of Education figures show the proportion of students learning a second language at secondary school down to its lowest level in 80 years.

Last year just one in five students studied a second language.

The number learning Chinese has shot up with Spanish holding tight as a popular choice, while French, Latin, Korean, German and Japanese are all becoming less fashionable.

AUT's head of languages Sharon Harvey says an inability to communicate in another tongue could hamper international trade and affect integration of migrant communities.

She says the Government needs to consider a comprehensive languages policy.