Britain has a real problem with foreign languages.
A study by the British Council recently found three-quarters of the population cannot hold a conversation in a foreign language. Our apathy could prove to be a big risk to the economy, with an “alarming shortage” of people able to speak the ten languages vital to our future prosperity and global standing.
So what’s stopping us?
New research by the Goethe Institute has revealed that 73 per cent of Brits have considered learning a second language. The main barrier is time (47 per cent), while a further 44 per cent find the costs too high.
But technology could change all that. Online learning opportunities are helping to boost the numbers of people interested in foreign languages. Courses that are flexible and can be adapted to any schedule allow workers to gain new language skills to further their careers without spending time and money attending classes.
Here’s an inside look into current language trends: