European Day of Languages – What’s the point for native English speakers?

Did you know that the 26th September has been designated as the European Day of Languages by the Council of Europe? The intention is to encourage the 820 million Europeans residing in its 47 member states to celebrate and discover languages in order to achieve a greater intercultural understanding.

For 2019, the Council is promoting the need for people to develop proficiency in more than two languages in order ‘to play their full part in democratic citizenship in Europe’[1]and we’re told on their website that ‘English alone is no longer enough’[2].

With Brexit looming and our reputation in Europe in tatters, is there any point in us trying to master other languages and be part of this Polyglot Club? What are the benefits associated with mastering foreign languages? Is there really a point to it for native English speakers?

The Benefits to Language Learning

The well-publicised benefits of learning a foreign language cover social, cultural and economic themes.

For the business world, multilingualism is supposed to be a major advantage bringing significant economic benefits.

• Language skills are great on CVs in an increasingly competitive job market
• Multilingual employees can develop relationships with new customers, vendors and suppliers to help their businesses thrive.

But language ability brings more than just economic benefits: 

• Languages can be learnt by young and old alike, they enrich our understanding of cultures and shape our world perspective
• They enable friendships and new contacts
• They promote a greater harmony across nations, allowing us to become more open and tolerant
• Learning languages can even impede diseases like Alzheimer’s
• And it’s fun (or at least I think so!).

Maybe it comes as no surprise that learning a foreign language is on many people’s bucket list[3]and Forbes lists not learning a foreign language as one of people’s biggest regrets in life[4]. Who knew?

So why, with all these advantages, benefits, wishes and regrets, do native English speakers, especially the Brits, lag behind other nations in their efforts to learn foreign languages? We just don’t seem to see the point! 

The downside to English

I admit that despite speaking several languages myself, wherever I’ve travelled in the world, for study, work or pleasure, I have not been able to escape English! It’s used in meetings, advertising, music, tv & cinema. From the taxi driver to the hotel receptionist, everyone seems to speak English so well abroad. It seems we are a victim of our own success (or laziness!). 

I know that overseas friends and colleagues see speaking English as their second language as a must for their jobs and their language skills are generally recompensed admirably, so it’s well-worth the years of toil and trouble to master English.  However, in the UK, knowing a foreign language isn’t particularly valued. The additional salary potential is minute, if non-existent, and it’s generally a skill which is ‘desirable’ rather than a ‘must’.

Lack of encouragement & opportunity

There’s also very little encouragement and a lack of opportunity in the UK to learn about other languages and cultures.  Various education policies to increase foreign language skills over the last 20 years have completely failed – mainly due to a shortage of language teachers and pressures on funding. Plus foreign language GCSEs are often perceived to be harder to pass than other subjects.  So it’s a downward spiral in freefall. Indeed, foreign language learning in the UK is at its lowest since the turn of the millennium[5]. While it’s compulsory that all secondary schools in the UK offer one foreign language at GCSE, the range of languages on offer is becoming more limited and viewed as elitist.

Impact of our monolingualism

But surely our monolingualism comes at a price? Shouldn’t our economy be lagging behind other nations? Are organisations overseas refusing to do business with us? But then wouldn’t businesses put more effort into recruiting employees with these skills, and paying them more? Or do we just not have enough potential workers with these language skills?

We Brits approach a post-Brexit world, dependent on the linguistic competence and goodwill of others. And I imagine that the world sees our monolingualism as a lack of respect for the identity and culture of others and tolerance of diversity.  I believe our approach to languages will impact our relationships with business and political partners around the world, affecting our economy and restricting our opportunities, especially to work abroad. What do you think?

My foreign language future

I guess only time will tell if Brexit and our approach to foreign languages affects our economy. But one thing I’m certain of is that learning foreign languages has shaped my life for the better and given me opportunities I’d never have experienced as a sole-English speaker. I will go on trying to master other languages - going to my nightschool classes and monthly German Stammtisch pub sessions. I’m going to stay in touch with my international friends and colleagues, and practise my language skills - as if you don’t use them, you lose them! Why?  Because it’s what we should do and it’s fun, well mostly!

[1]https://edl.ecml.at/Home/WhyaEuropeanDayofLanguages/tabid/1763/language/en-GB/Default.aspx, 26-09-19

[2]https://edl.ecml.at/Home/WhyaEuropeanDayofLanguages/tabid/1763/language/en-GB/Default.aspx, 26-09-19

[3]The World's 20 Most Popular Bucket List Activities, https://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1012668-worlds-20-popular-bucket-list-activities/?slide=12, Vivian Manning-Schaffel, 09/02/18

[4]The 25 Biggest Regrets In Life. What Are Yours?, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericjackson/2012/10/18/the-25-biggest-regrets-in-life-what-are-yours/#47d9f2706488, Eric Jackson, 18/10/12

[5]Language learning: German and French drop by half in UK schools, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47334374, Branwen Jeffreys, 27/02/19