Languages: the State of the Nation
Demand and Supply
of Language Skills in the UK
The British Academy has today launched Languages: the
State of the Nation. The report, prepared by Teresa Tinsley, outlines
the baseline data on foreign language use and deficits in England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Key findings from the report include:
·
There is strong evidence
that the UK is suffering from a growing deficit in foreign language
skills at a time when globally demand for language skills is expanding.
·
The range and nature
of languages being taught is insufficient to meet current and future
demand
·
Language skills are needed at
all levels in the workforce, and not simply by an internationally-mobile
elite
·
A weak supply of language
skills is pushing down demand and creating a vicious circle of
monolingualism
·
Languages spoken by British
school children, in addition to English, represent a valuable future source
of supply – if these skills can be developed appropriately.
These findings present us with cause for both cautious
optimism and rising concern. Our diverse demographics and world-class higher
education system provide us with the tools to respond to the challenges and
opportunities of the future. But, too often, education policies are operating
in isolation of demand. The report concludes that without action from
government, employment and education sectors, we will be unable to meet our
aspirations for growth and global influence.
Click here
to download the Summary and Full Reports.
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