There [might not be] 50 ways to leave your lover [but there are] 700 reasons for studying languages
Since September 2004, schools in England are not required to teach foreign languages to children over 14 years of age. What linguists might call “backyard languages” (French, German, Spanish) are no longer taught. However, data for GCSE modern language uptake in England (2004) in the year of the decision shows that pupils attempting at least one language GCSE was 67%. By language, 44% of all pupils took French, 18% studied German, 8% took Spanish and 3% studied another language (CILT, the National Centre for Languages). Spanish however, is on the up: Spanish rose by 25% in 2008 compared to 2001 with 67,040 students taking Spanish GCSE.
The Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, a Subject Centre of The Higher Education Academy showcases, in their 700 reasons for studying languages, the diverse interconnections between language study and the potential to help learners to develop their identities as cosmopolitan citizens in a global context. The European challenge revolves around the “mother tongue plus 2 target”, a tall order for the UK, although there are 200 languages spoken in London for example.
English alone is not enough. It is also dangerous. In a world where bilingualism and plurilingualism are commonplace, monolingualism implies inflexibility, insensitivity and arrogance; Multilingualism is part and parcel of both European identity/citizenship and the ‘learning society’. The use of a foreign language to communicate with other people shows the value of learning a foreign language.
