Learning a language leading New Year resolutions

WITH CHRISTMAS over-indulgence out of the way, thoughts are turning to resolutions – and for many, that means learning a new language, a survey suggests.

Around one in five are planning to make language learning a goal for 2018, according to a poll commissioned by the British Council. It found that more than half of the 2,000 UK adults questioned believe that learning another language is a worthwhile resolution to make, while the same proportion agreed that it is more important than ever for people in the UK to make the effort to learn another language.

Nearly two thirds said that they have always wanted to speak another language fluently, while 56 per cent agreed that they regret never making the effort to speak another language fluently.

And while 16 per cent said they can speak a foreign language to a high standard, and a third said they are able to hold a basic conversation, nearly half admitted they are embarrassed by the level of their foreign language skills.

The survey also asked which language people would most like to learn, with Spanish the most popular answer, followed by French and then Italian.

Vicky Gough, schools adviser at the British Council, said: “It’s fantastic that many of us hope to brush up on our language skills in 2018. In particular, the languages we are most keen to learn are some of the languages the UK needs most.

“But the country is still facing a languages deficit. If we are to remain globally competitive post-Brexit, we need more people who can speak languages. Learning other languages not only gives you an understanding of other cultures but is good for business, for life and for well-being too. The New Year is the perfect time to get started.”

A recent British Council report identified Spanish as the top language the UK will need after Brexit, followed by Mandarin Chinese, French, Arabic and German – based on economic, geopolitical, cultural and educational factors.

The report called for “a bold new policy” to improve foreign language learning, and suggested languages be given the same priority as maths and science in schools.

Official figures have shown a continued drop-off in French and German A-level entries this summer, while the numbers taking Spanish rose slightly.