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dan LIVING
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g LANGUAGES
A special report on language learning
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Sponsored by
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HOW LANGUAGES
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TOUCH LIVES
zdravstvu
jtye h INTRODUCTION/3
Highlights from the Case
for Language Learning English has, to date, effectively
captured the public imagination.

gutteang!
Highlights from the Case for Language Learning
The Case for Language Learning rose
CHAPTER 1 to the challenge, providing a rich
cia source of discussion, expertise and
o LANGUAGE EDUCATION/4-7
What’s wrong with it and how can it be improved? personal stories which demonstrate
the value of learning languages.
benvenutoa! CHAPTER 2 In response to the longstanding This Living Languages report
VOICES OF YOUTH/8-11 decline in foreign language learning highlights many of the enlightening
Young people’s attitudes to language learning in the UK, the Guardian and the debates and thinking generated
British Academy launched the Case by the project, and brings together
你好
dobar THE BEAUTY OF WORDS/12-13
There’s a word for every sensation, mood and experience
for Language Learning. During
a two-year creative partnership,
some of the dominant themes.
It re-examines the role that the
dan this fresh and innovative project education system plays in the
CHAPTER 3 generated hundreds of articles, downturn in language learning in

e r h aba THE LANGUAGE DEBATES/14-19 discussions, public debates schools and universities.
m From performance enhancing-drugs to national security and online Q&A sessions
to demonstrate the
The project
It highlights new
research into young
CHAPTER 4 provided a rich
olá importance of language source of discussion, people’s attitudes to
CONTENTS

PERFORMANCE-RAISING DRUGS/18-19 learning. expertise and language learning.


The implications of improving our cognitive faculties personal stories
Brought together on a And it examines the
CHAPTER 5
dedicated website, many influence of language
of these articles and events learning on many current
DEFEATING TERRORISM/20-21
The role of language in the UK’s defence inspired insightful comments from social and political challenges –
readers, keen to demonstrate their immigration, multiculturalism and
CHAPTER 6 interest and passion for language national security.
DRIVER OF SOCIAL CHANGE/22-29 learning and the issues informing The report explores the scientific
Immigration, language and communities it. For many of these people, foreign aspects of language, including the
languages are an important part findings of some neuroscientists,
CHAPTER 7 of their lives, influencing work, and features a debate on the
PERSONAL STORIES/30-37 shaping their communities and their implications of taking cognition-
Immigration, language and communities personal politics, and providing a enhancing drugs to help master a
source of knowledge and pleasure. language. It also tells some powerful
CONCLUSION/38-39 bien Unlike the drive to promote an personal stories from people who
Building a solid platform to raise veni
awareness about language learning dos appreciation and understanding of have found that, like travel, foreign
m en science, or the many engaging TV languages can transform lives. In
lkom documentaries produced in response essence, drawing on the Case for
bie wil to a popular interest in history, no Language Learning, the report
Sponsored by nv
enu similar campaign about the benefits highlights the many rich and varied
e of speaking a language other than ways people are “living languages”.
dobrodosli

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m
CHAPTER 1

LANGUAGE
EDUCATION wrong with language education
What’s wrong with it and
in our schools and universities.
how can it be improved?
Although it would be wrong to say
there was a consensus, a theme
emerged regarding the importance
of recognising that teaching and
learning a language must be more
than providing and picking up tools
“Like learning in a padded cell,” to do a technical job.
is how Stephen Parker, chair of In her article, Professor Katrin
the panel for modern and ancient Kohl of the Faculty of Modern
languages on the A-level Content Languages at the University of
Advisory Board, described the way Oxford captured it well: “Learning a
students are expected to learn language is not only tough but may
foreign languages in England. It’s be dull unless it involves intellectual
a powerful criticism, all the more challenges, cultural attractions and
significant because Parker, Henry communicative rewards. While
Simon Professor of German at children in other European countries
Manchester University, influenced are motivated from an early age
advice from universities to to gain linguistic access to cool
ministers on how foreign language Anglophone culture, modern foreign
A-levels should look. Parker’s point language syllabuses in the UK have
is that, while changes to the A-level been stripped steadily of intellectual
modern languages curriculum over interest and cultural appeal.”
the past 10 years aimed to make it A reader’s comment
more relevant, recycling topics about echoed that: “To all It’s almost an
family life could be uninspiring. of us whose native insult how little
language isn’t English interest English-
Students were no longer required
speakers show in
to read a book in a foreign language, but who have learned other cultures
he argued, and the emphasis was not just English but
often on rote learning rather than on other foreign languages,
engaging with a different society and it’s almost an insult how
culture. little interest many English-speaking
So have well-intentioned countries show in the languages
efforts to make language learning and cultures of others. Language
Language
learning can accessible to as many students learning is not just about learning to
be dull
as possible misfired? Through communicate in a certain language.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

unless it also
includes
history and
the Case for Language Learning, It’s about so much more than that …
customs of readers and experts expressed It’s about learning about the history,
the target
country a diversity of views on what is society, culture and customs of the

4 5
CHAPTER 1

LANGUAGE
EDUCATION Dale, because video conferencing education; any ambition to improve
What’s wrong with it and
and blogging, for example, language learning in the UK should
how can it be improved?
are fundamentally about real take account of that. An experts’ top
communication and so is learning a 10 list of practical tips for learning
language. “The stumbling block for a language was compiled and could
many is not having the time to seek be used by students wherever
out new tools and become familiar and whenever they are learning.
target country/countries. It’s about with them, as well as the fear of They include setting manageable
learning to understand one another relinquishing control to their pupils goals, learning vocabulary for
on different levels.” who may be more techno-savvy words drawn from personal events
The question follows as to how than they are.” and experiences, and, if possible,
to teach the richness of foreign Just as social media uncover and visiting the country where the
languages so they are understood spread ideas for improving language language is spoken.
as more than a communication tool. teaching from the education front But underlying even the most
Many enthusiastic teachers and line of teachers and learners, a series encouraging and handy advice, one
Technology is
learners used the Case for Language of British Academy awards also clear message emerged that no one one way of of
engaging
Learning to share their ideas. identified fresh, grassroots denies: learning a foreign the iPad
generation –
As in many areas of learning, approaches. Staff at language is hard. As one and there are
technology might be one key Dallam school in Students could reader put it: “Learning now plenty of
be heard chatting apps to help
to engaging the interest and Cumbria had been unselfconsciously in
a language is not like learners

commitment of the YouTube/ struggling to get both French or Spanish climbing a mountain,
Facebook/iPad generation in schools. students and parents where there is a simple
There are plenty of apps aimed to in the primarily rural goal and you know when
help learners and, as consultant and and monocultural area to you’ve achieved it. It’s more like
former language teacher Joe Dale grasp the importance of language doing a jigsaw that reveals a map
wrote, teachers are using social learning. They won an award for that helps you explore a country
media too: “The MFLtwitterati rolling out a programme that saw the or culture, and even a partial
– a grassroots community of UK- formation of bilingual tutor groups map helps. Learning a language
based modern foreign language which would immerse the children means learning pronunciation,
teachers on Twitter – has proved to in Spanish or French for short bursts spelling, grammar, vocabulary,
be an invaluable test-bed for ideas of time, two or three times each idioms and sentence patterns, as
on using new technologies. Over day. Headteacher Steve Holdup well as the cultural differences
time, the group has developed a said: “Students coming out of tutor that also affect communication.
strong ethos of sharing innovative lessons or at break could be heard Speaking, listening, reading,
classroom practice, encouraging chatting unselfconsciously in French writing, translation are different,
each other to experiment and or Spanish.” complementary skills, and how

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY; ALAMY


feed back their findings for further Unlike some other academic important each is depends on your
discussion and reflection …” subjects, language learning does motives and interests … Follow your
Language learning and technology not necessarily end, or even begin, interests – reading, sport, cooking; it
are a good match, according to Joe during years of school or higher makes it easier to push yourself.”

6 7
CHAPTER 2

VOICES OF
YOUTH speaking a foreign language out their family and a good majority asked to assess their own ability,
Young people’s attitudes loud. Other subjects are more (70%) said they would be interested and many felt they had mastered
to language learning interesting – maths and English, for in learning another language in only basic phrases. Almost half of
example, are seen by schools to be the future. Not many, those questioned who
more important and, anyway, most though, thought it Many language had studied Mandarin
people speak English, don’t they? would lead to better job students at school said they
felt they had
For the research, ICM questioned prospects in the UK or would have difficulty
mastered only
1,001 people between the ages 14 a higher salary in their basic phrases understanding anything
Last year, universities in the UK and 24 from across the UK about careers. at all.
accepted the lowest number of their attitudes to language learning. Particularly worrying is Young people do have ideas
foreign language undergraduates A reasonable proportion did see young people’s own judgment to encourage the takeup of
in a decade, perpetuating a worrying learning a language as a good A good grasp of of their competence in a foreign languages in school, according to the
cycle. Fewer graduates in foreign practical skill and an incentive to grammar and
confidence are
language they were supposed research. Popular ones included
languages limits the supply of people travel. Almost a fifth already speak vital when using to be learning. Those who had foreign exchanges, opportunities to
languages
likely to go into language teaching, another language at home with abroad studied languages at school were talk with native
and fewer language teachers means
fewer pupils becoming enthusiastic
linguists, inspired to study a FINDINGS OF THE YOUTH VOICES SURVEY
language at university. To help break The Youth Voices research prompted some readers to blame
this vicious circle, it is important teaching methods for the UK’s record on languages, and several had
to know young people’s attitudes experiences which chimed with the findings of the survey:
to teaching and learning foreign
languages, though many of those “The failure and dropout rate in languages is a national scandal, and
views are not encouraging. people will blame everything except their own teaching methods.”
Youth Voices, fresh research
conducted for the Guardian and “My eldest son did GCSE French and got a good grade – B, I think – but
British Academy by the polling when on holiday in France, he would never try out his French on the
organisation ICM, delivered some locals. He could tell me what I needed to say but would not have a
sobering results. It found that go himself. This year we took our granddaughters to Spain. We gave
young people are put off learning our eldest (nearly six years old) a childrens’ Spanish phrase book
a language: they accept it can be about four weeks before we went. While there, she was happy to try
good for an international career, and engage locals in conversation using her book. Most of it is about
speaking with other people and confidence.”
understanding their culture, but
they’re turned off because it feels too “My grandson, who is taking French and German, and Latin in extra
difficult. Many regard grammar as classes at another school, complains that his GCSE syllabus would be
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

hard and remembering vocabulary of little use in the countries where the languages are spoken. He wants
a chore. They complain what they grammar, so he can compose his own sentences instead of having to
learn in school isn’t useful in the real learn set phrases by rote.”
world, and they don’t feel confident

8 9
CHAPTER 2

VOICES OF
YOUTH For years, the study of modern introduction in 2010 of the English
Young people’s attitudes foreign languages has been in baccalaureate, a measurement of
to language learning decline in our classrooms and schools’ top grade performance in
university lecture theatres, and even “traditional academic” subjects:
recent improvements in entries for English, maths, science, a language,
GCSEs have been shrugged off by and history or geography.
some experts. As the Association for What we may be seeing is not
Language Learning highlights, necessarily a sustainable rise in the
speakers, more help with French, the largest popularity of languages in secondary
grammar, more interesting For years, entry, has not come schools, but rather a reaction to
the study of
topics, interactive lessons back into the top 10 the government’s incentive to
modern foreign
and the use of language languages has list of GCSE subjects, schools to climb the league tables by
apps. However, while the been in decline where it once was. encouraging pupils to sit language
findings suggest young There is another GCSEs. Whether that will stimulate
people’s attitudes to languages reason why some are a long-lasting improvement in
are not wholly negative, the holding back on the celebrations. A-level and degree-level entries
statistics on the subject choices The sudden upturn in interest and mean England’s education

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
young people make in schools and in modern language GCSEs is system produces more competent,
universities offer little comfort. likely to have been caused by the confident foreign language speakers
remains to be seen.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN NUMBERS

The numbers
The number of Students taking GCSEs did begin to
undergraduates accepted studying recover from a long decline in 2013.
for a degree in a modern A-level foreign
language fell to its lowest in languages in Overall, GCSE entries for modern
To improve
a decade in 2012-13: a fall of England has languages rose by

22%
language

17%
teaching, young
been in steady people wanted
decline for more
opportunities to
10 years. In Spanish entries rose by talk with native

26%
speakers and go
one decade, on foreign
numbers exchanges

since 2010-2011 sitting French


A-level almost and French by
halved.
16%

10 11
THE BEAUTY
OF WORDS
From sunlight through trees
to butterflies in the tummy

ILLUSTRATIONS BY: MINNA SUNDBERG; ELLA FRANCES SANDERS, LOST IN TRANSLATION, PUBLISHED BY SQUARE PEG. © ELLA FRANCES SANDERS 2015

12 13
CHAPTER 3

THE LANGUAGE
DEBATES School. He believes they hamper people who want to sell things.”
From performance enhancing-
small- to medium-size exporters, In a roundtable discussion,
POOR LANGUAGE SKILLS
drugs to national security THE COST TO UK BUSINESS
who are unable to employ the “Lack of Languages Stifle Brits
language specialists brought in by and Americans”, Nigel Vincent,
global companies; and they also vice-president for research and

62%
deter non-exporters from trading higher education policy at British
internationally. Academy, warned: “By sitting on our
Nick Brown is chief executive linguistic laurels, we disadvantage
In a series of live and online of Nikwax. His company is a UK- the United Kingdom – and it’s
public debates, the Case for based manufacturer of cleaning and exactly the same argument in the
Language Learning demonstrates waterproofing products, exporting US.” Young people from other of companies aspiring to
that understanding the real to 50 countries and producing print countries now offer fluency in
export regard languages
value of foreign languages is not materials in 48 languages. Brown’s English, plus their native language.
as a barrier
just about getting the education own experience supports Forman- “They are ahead of the game.”
curriculum right, but leads into Peck’s academic view: However, making the case for British Chambers
of Commerce,
other essential areas of UK society. “English is fine if you Poor language foreign languages as a driver of 2013
Economics, science and national want to buy things, skills hamper SMEs success in a global market is not Deficient
security are strong examples. In but it’s not the right who can’t afford straightforward, and the evidence
specialist linguists language skills costs the
the world of economics, the notion language to use for points in different directions. Born
UK economy 3.5% of GDP
that “everyone speaks English, Global, a British Academy report on
per year – that’s

£48
so why would I need to speak languages in the labour market, says
anything else?” is firmly challenged many employers do see languages
by academic research and the as beneficial, but they don’t
experience of some business people. necessarily prioritise them at the
In science, there are developments
in the understanding of the human
recruitment stage. There’s evidence
that the demand for language
billion
skills is, in certain areas, trumped Department
brain that may lead to a “foreign for Business,
language performance-enhancing” by a greater demand for other Innovation and
Skills, 2013

70%
drug; and, in turn, there is good attributes. The UK Commission for
evidence that learning a language Employment and Skills (UKCES),
itself is a kind of drug or therapy for example, finds some employers
for certain conditions. A nation’s can’t fill jobs because of a lack of
capacity for understanding foreign language skills, but it’s technical,
languages is powerfully presented as job-specific skills they’re crying out of businesses value foreign
a matter of national security and an for the most. language skills among their
Progress in essential part of foreign diplomacy. During the Case for Language employees
understanding
Poor language skills act like a Learning live Q&A on how
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

the brain may


Confederation
lead to a “foreign “tax on growth”, according to linguists can use their skill to of British
language
performance- James Foreman-Peck, professor get a job, a student presented the Industry, 2013
enhancing”
drug; of economics at Cardiff Business panel of experts with the strong

14 15
CHAPTER 3

THE LANGUAGE
DEBATES much as they say so in public. What
From performance enhancing-
are your thoughts on the career
drugs to national security
prospects of language graduates in
the UK at the moment?”
Jack Porteous, language and
culture adviser at UK Trade and
Investment, confirmed the view
that foreign languages are desirable
impression that language skills were but won’t necessarily be your ace
not highly valued: “I’m currently a card: “I would say that languages are
student in modern languages, due an increasingly necessary ‘extra’ to
to graduate in 2016. Throughout my have to make sure you get that job.
school life and during university, I work with hundreds of businesses
I was under the belief that each year, and when they are
companies in the UK were in dire looking to hire they’d usually
need of language graduates due to prefer somebody with language
the lack of skills among the British skills – and would nearly always
population. Now that I’ve started use it as a deciding factor between FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS IN THE JOBS MARKET
Many job
to look into jobs, I know I don’t two otherwise equal candidates. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE EXPERTS’ VIEWS
applicants are
finding foreign
languages are
want to be a translator or a teacher, It is rarely the main requirement,
an increasingly and I feel somewhat lost. I feel that however, so making sure you DASHA AMROM Having more JACK PORTEOUS,
necessary extra
for employers companies don’t value languages as can prove your other skills and Managing director, Career language Language and culture
characteristics is vitally important.” Coaching Ventures“ graduates will adviser, UK Trade
not improve our
Adam Marshall, executive I would suggest that a good and Investment
skills gap
director of policy and external degree supplemented by a “Employers do value
affairs at the British Chambers of foreign language is probably candidates who have spent
Commerce, advised applicants to more valuable in certain fields time living and working
make language skills part of your rather than purely a language HUMAIR NAQVI abroad – you just have to show
wider pitch: “The career prospects degree. But again, we can’t Enterprise and education that you’re aware of the soft
are excellent if you figure out how generalise as a lot depends regional director, skills it has taught you. This
to sell yourself to businesses. Think on a particular industry and Rosetta Stone could include cross-cultural
about what they need first. They a particular job in question. “Do we need linguists awareness, communication
PHOTOGRAPHY: SAM FRIEDRICH, THE GUARDIAN; GETTY

need a certain mix of skills, not For instance, in investment or graduates that have skills, maturity and resilience
just to tick a box called ‘languages’. banking, a business/ language skills as additional from time spent abroad,
Figure out how your language economics/maths/science capabilities? Our research and even logical problem-
skills fit as part of what you have degree with a foreign language shows it’s the latter and solving. It’s just important
to offer more generally, as it’s the looks amazing on the CV and hence, having more language to remember to link your
combination of abilities you’ve got bankers love to interview graduates will not improve experiences to skills which
that helps you to stand out to the people of this calibre.” our skills gap.” make you employable.”
businesses I work with!”

16 17
CHAPTER 4

PERFORMANCE-
RAISING DRUGS so far, but there are researchers
who claim there is evidence that
The implications of improving
our cognitive faculties learning a foreign language could
itself be a kind of treatment for other
conditions. For example, some
studies suggest learning a foreign
language has general benefits for
your cognitive capacity, and can
“Can drugs deliver peak learning give some protection from some of
performance?” This was the question the undesirable effects of ageing,
posed to a public audience at a Case including dementia.
for Language Learning discussion As Alison Mackey, professor
on drugs. About two-thirds of the of linguistics at Georgetown
audience raised their hands to signal University and Lancaster University,
that if there were a safe cognitive- writes, neuroscience is telling us
enhancing drug to help make more about the benefits of being
learning a language more interesting multilingual: “We know that people
and fun, they’d take it. The use of who speak more than one language
performance-enhancing fluently have better
drugs in competitive memories and are more
What are the
sport is considered to be rights and wrongs cognitively creative
wrong. It’s an artificial of drugs that and mentally flexible
manipulation of natural improve our than monolinguals.”
ability we judge to be cognitive abilities? Mackey believes that
unfair, and we condemn it. understanding more
What, then, are the rights about what happens in our brains
and wrongs of drugs that improve when we hear, understand and
our cognitive abilities to think, solve produce second languages has
problems, learn or stay alert? If there plenty of potential: “Brain-imaging
were a pill to improve the capacity to research may eventually help us
master a new language, who should tailor language-learning methods
get it? Educational underachievers to our cognitive abilities, telling us
who might need it? Those who whether we learn best from formal
could afford it? In competitive instruction that highlights rules,
exams, would drug-enhanced immersing ourselves in the sounds of
achievement count for the same as a language, or perhaps one followed
the performance of someone lucky by the other.”
enough to have been born with a flair The discussion showed that

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
for languages? the promises and possibilities of
The psychologists and scientific research are immense and
neuroscientists haven’t got there exciting,

18 19
CHAPTER 5

DEFEATING
TERRORISM
The role of language in
the UK’s defence

The importance of foreign


languages in the fight against
terrorism was undisputed in an
online discussion about national
security and diplomacy. “9/11
finally settled the argument about
the importance of language for
national security and wellbeing
in government agencies in the
US,” said Richard Brecht, formerly
of the Center for Advanced
Study of Language, University of
Maryland. But, he added, even
though the danger is understood,
progress towards change and
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

improvements in the US is slow:


“After significant investments in
language programming in defence,
intelligence and diplomacy over
the past decade, Government counterterrorism and intelligence. needing native Arab concerned, asking To keep the UK’s

Accounting Office studies indicate In response to a question regarding and/or Somali speakers We need questions and making
streets safe,
foreign
intelligence language
that we still are a way away from the threat to UK security if we who can tune into officers abroad contacts with local police speakers are
critical
having all language don’t invest in languages, Charles the variations of asking questions forces, and diplomats
positions staffed at Crawford, a former British diplomat, slang and code words on the ground winning over local senior
appropriate levels.” gave this insight: “Let’s say we they’ll be using to cover policymakers and media
The potential have suspicions about would-be their tracks. Probably only contacts so that they help us
vulnerability of terrorists operating out of North native speakers ready to do in this dirty work. So a really wide
nations weak in foreign Africa, using relatives in the this sort of work for Her Majesty’s range of language skills are needed
language skills was UK. The language reading and Government can do it. in many areas of national security,
scrutinised, opening listening skills required to keep an “We might need Special not all of them at all obvious, to
small windows on to eye on what they are doing may Intelligence Service officers out on head off those who want to blow us
the intriguing world of be frighteningly high, probably the ground in the suspect countries up or otherwise damage us.”

20 21
CHAPTER 6

DRIVER OF
SOCIAL CHANGE other languages, deepen empathy
Immigration, language between people of different cultures
and communities and improve social cohesion. Across
the world, globalisation and cultural
uniformity mean some minority
languages are not shaping societies
but have themselves become
vulnerable to social change, and
Foreign languages are both are now endangered. Meanwhile,
a driver of, and subject to, nations, including the UK, struggle
significant social change. The to value minority languages in the
potential for foreign languages face of globalised languages and
to both bind and divide uniform cultures.
communities was one of “This government
the themes of the Case Many ethnic has not done a great
for Language Learning. minority groups deal to encourage
Some discussions in the UK speak an outward-looking
highlighted how the two or more attitude among
languages
prevalence of a multitude young people,”
of foreign languages was the view of Sue
spoken in a community can be Mendus, FBA Morrell
There are about
300 languages alienating and fuel hostility to professor emerita of political
spoken in the
UK, but
immigration. Others argued that philosophy at the University of In another roundtable discussion their fellow residents’ cultures:
bilingualism is multilingual neighbourhoods York, who, during a roundtable an exchange between Jocelyn “We’ve got high-achieving students
often still
undervalued are an opportunity to learn discussion, highlighted that more Wyburd, chair of the University who have English as an additional
and better teaching of history, Council of Modern Languages, language, often out-achieving
culture and language skills could and David Goodhart, chair of the mother-tongue English speakers.
do much to change attitudes. Demos advisory group, underlined One, and only one, of the reasons
But, a comment from a reader different perspectives on the is the increased cognitive benefits
on the discussion shows how impact of language diversity on of bilingualism. If we can harness
foreign languages can be divisive: a community. Wyburd stated the multilingualism in our presence
“I am speaking as [a member of] many ethnic minority groups and have that affect everybody – not
a non-white minority, born in this speak two or more languages, and just say to immigrants you have to
country. Speaking 300 languages contrasted this with the white learn English because you’re in this
in the country is not a good thing. British majority’s monolingualism. country, but actually we have to
It creates division and hostility She argued encouraging English learn other languages as well – that

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY; ALAMY


towards others, as (a) we do not mother-tongue speakers to learn could be massively beneficial in
understand what others are saying; another language would benefit schools and benefit cross-cultural
(b) you can talk in your own students academically and, communication.”
language to hide views from others.” crucially, help them to understand David Goodhart was dismissive

22 23
CHAPTER 6

DRIVER OF
SOCIAL CHANGE language is an advantage in life. One of the UK’s many
Polish delis and
Immigration, language Yet only just over a third take (bottom left) the
and communities a qualification in their mother
Polish Cultural Centre
in Hammersmith,
London – the 2011
tongue. The study, of 1,001 people census revealed that
over 500,000
aged 14-24 across Great Britain, people in England
included 279 who spoke a language and Wales speak
Polish
other than English at home. Of
those, just over 60% believed
in his response: “The idea that you doing so gave them an advantage,
have to learn a foreign language compared with just over half of the
to make yourself understood in sample as a whole.
your own country will strike most Some interpret this low uptake
people as quite bizarre. Many would as evidence that young people
be more inclined to sympathise feel having English as a second
with Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s language is regarded as a problem
recent comment that he felt and not much to be proud of.
uncomfortable when surrounded Vice-chancellor of Cambridge
by people speaking foreign University, Leszek Borysiewicz,
languages on the bus.” who speaks Polish and
Suzanne Fletcher, chair of English, said he dislikes These are real,
living languages,
Liberal Democrats for Seekers of the phrase “heritage that give people
Sanctuary, said in a third discussion languages” for those a huge insight
that, in her experience, migrants spoken alongside English into culture
were desperate to learn English for migrants to learn English but, by migrants to Britain and
because this would give them the equally, there were cultural barriers their descendants: “These are
opportunity for work, income and that sometimes had to be broken real languages, living languages
general improvement. However, down first. that give people a huge insight
John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP There are about 300 languages into culture and give the children
for Manchester and Withington, spoken in the country, often by who can speak them additional
challenged that. He said he knew an people from migrant families whose opportunities.”
elderly woman in his constituency first language isn’t English. But the Professionals, skilled at helping
who had come from Poland to the PHOTOGRAPHY: MARTIN ARGLES, THE GUARDIAN; ALAMY
Case for Language Learning found communities bond and flourish,
UK in the 1960s and still could not some strong views that this sort talk of the huge benefits that flow
speak a word of English, though of bilingualism is undervalued – from respecting a neighbour’s
he stressed that might not be her sometimes attacked – in a way that language and culture. The point
decision: “There is a view that impedes social cohesion. is made vividly in a blog by
some women are discouraged A Guardian/ICM poll did find Emma Brech, who works towards
from learning English because it most young people in Britain, supporting bilingual parents for the
keeps them in the home.” He said whose native language isn’t English, charity Renaisi:
it was obviously really important believe that speaking a second “As our bilingual parent support

24 25
CHAPTER 6

DRIVER OF
SOCIAL CHANGE methods, and clarification was Chile, dates back 2,000 years, and Andeans will have faced strong
Immigration, language needed before the meals could go dominated the communication discrimination in educational
and communities ahead. Or the Latin American parent of the Incas. According to opportunities and employment
who wanted to understand why she Professor Rosaleen Howard, because of speaking Quechua rather
should make her son work at school chair of Hispanic studies in the than Spanish, Howard said: “When
when he would automatically move School of Modern Languages at people move from rural areas to the
up at the end of the year anyway; in Newcastle University, it is spoken cities they need Spanish in order to
Ecuador, children remain in a lower by 8 million people, more than get jobs and education; there is no
advisers will attest, many migrant class until they pass the exam. Or any other indigenous language alternative.”
parents are interested in attainment the teacher who did not understand in the Americas. But the pressure That message is being passed
and, once engaged, will often why some Bengali parents did to speak Spanish, the language down to children by their parents Young Quechua girls
in Peru – the Quechua
contribute significant amounts of not want their children to watch for social advancement and jobs, who won’t speak Quechua with language is spoken
by 8 million people in
time and energy to a school and a sex education film. The adviser means it could die out. Many rural them at home, and the irony is, it the Andes

to their children’s learning. What mediated and the teacher agreed


makes the difference, they say, is to allow the parents to preview and
where migrant parents feel that the discuss the film first. These are the
school is invested in a dialogue important conversations
with them – respectful and that sit below a
Nations across
curious towards cultural school’s equalities
the globe
and linguistic difference, are failing to policy, paving
supportive of challenges sustain minority the way towards
faced, willing to allow languages community
parents in as valuable cohesion.”
members of the community The UK is not the only
and vital stakeholders in the nation accused of undervaluing
school’s development. This is languages other than its own.
not easy, short-term work; it Nations across the globe are failing
requires dedicated, sensitive to sustain minority languages to the
staff specialised in cross-cultural extent that, according to Unesco,
dialogue, who can work effectively half the world’s 6,000 languages
alongside mainstream teachers and face extinction by the end of the
mediate when tensions arise. century unless they are protected
“Take, for example, the school from powerful threats including
that worked hard on a parent the march of globalisation and
consultation around halal school the spread of cultural uniformity.
meals, in order to offer Muslim Endangered languages include 150
children more than simply the from Europe.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

vegetarian option. Staff quickly Quechua, the Amerindian


found themselves drawn into a language, spoken, primarily in
tricky debate about slaughtering the Andes from Colombia to

26 27
CHAPTER 6

DRIVER OF
SOCIAL CHANGE they want to keep their jobs: “There
Immigration, language are government-sponsored training THREE ENDANGERED EUROPEAN LANGUAGES
and communities courses which are making an FAROESE
impact, without a doubt,” Howard Spoken in the Faroe
said. “Also, teaching of these Isles, an autonomously
languages in higher education is governed part of
Denmark
on the rise, and their use in TV and
media is increasing.” For Howard, 66,000 speakers, both
is the urban elite who have become the protection of indigenous in the islands and in
Denmark
the strongest advocates for rescuing languages is a matter of human
the language: “The people who push rights: “It comes home how unjust Derived from Old
Norse, and shares many
for language revitalisation tend to it is that people should live in a
similarities
be the more educated people who society where they have been
are bilingual. They have acquired forced to abandon those languages “Hello”: Góðan dag
Spanish through migration to or suppress them in favour of
the cities and getting into higher speaking this dominant tongue.” KARAIM
education,” Howard said. One interested reader asked Spoken by the Karaim
More recently, in Bolivia it Howard for more details: “I’d be people in Lithuania,
has become a legal interested to hear how Poland and Ukraine
requirement for civil the requirement to 60 people known to
In Bolivia, civil The protection
servants must
servants to speak an of indigenous learn an indigenous speak it
speak an
indigenous indigenous language in languages is a matter language has been Mainly spoken in the
language as well of human rights town of Trakai by a small
as Spanish addition to Spanish if received in Bolivia,
thinking of the community living there
since the 14th century
hysteria that greets any
encouragement to recruit bilingual “Hello”: Kiu jachšy
staff in the UK.”
Howard replied: “The PITE SAAMI
requirement met with resistance Spoken by the Saami
at first, but from what I observed people in Sweden,
of civil servants taking classes in Norway, Finland
and Russia
Aymara [spoken in the highlands
of southern Peru and Bolivia], 20 speakers out of
they were enjoying it. What a native population
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY; REX FEATURES; CORBIS

of 2,000
seems to happen is that people
who are hiding the fact that they Reindeer herders may
be the only people who
know the language [due to the
might get away only
stigma attached] come out in the
speaking Pite Saami
open, encouraged by the state
“Hello”: Buorist
endorsement of it.” Click here for more information

28 29
CHAPTER 7

PERSONAL
STORIES
How learning a language EDDIE IZZARD,
can transform lives STANDUP COMEDIAN
In 2014, Eddie Izzard was
chosen as Public Language
Champion, nominated by
Guardian readers as a public
figure to promote the value of
While former pop musician speaking another language. The
Prof Brian Cox has introduced new standup comedian was asked
audiences to the wonders of physics what was the most common
and astronomy, and the scholar response when he tells people
Mary Beard has resurrected the about his international tour,
glories of ancient Rome to people Force Majeure, which he has
who never thought they could be performed in French, German
enthralled by classical and Spanish, and plans to add
history, foreign language The Case for Russian and Arabic to his act:
Language
learning awaits a similar “They say nothing. It’s as if I’ve
Learning has
champion. Powerful been a forum for said I’ve swallowed a car. I feel
personal stories about people’s stories like I’m doing something off
how learning a language the list. I’m about 65% fluent in
has had an impact on people’s French, 30% fluent in German,
lives can be key to promoting and about half a per cent fluent
its benefits. The Case for Language in Spanish. If I get stuck with a
Learning has been a forum for such word or a phrase during a show,
Language stories, ranging from well-known I ask the audience: ‘How do you
learning needs
someone with a linguists who reveal what first say such and such,’ and they
similar appeal to
Prof Brian Cox to
inspired them to learn a language, help out,” says Izzard. “I don’t
promote its to a moving account of how it find languages easy, but I have
pleasures and
benefits helped ease someone’s depression. a hunger to learn. When you
can speak another language
PHOTOGRAPHY: LEILI FARZANEH, BBC; JEROD HARRIS, FILM MAGIC

you go from being a person


in an adult’s body, pointing at
things like a child, to being able
to communicate with people
like an adult again … Plus, no
standup has done this before,
so there’s also the fun, the
bloody adventure of it.”

30 31
CHAPTER 7

PERSONAL
STORIES
How learning a language CHRIS PACKHAM
can transform lives TV presenter and
naturalist
Packham became fluent
in French as an adult: “In
France, where I have a
house, it’s quite remote
PADDY ASHDOWN and none of my neighbours
Former Liberal Democrat leader speak any English. I rocked
“When people ask how many up 10 years ago and had no
languages I speak, I reply I have more ability in French than
forgotten six … I was a disaster at being able to go to Paris

PHOTOGRAPHY: MURDO MACLEOD, THE GUARDIAN; GRAHAM TURNER, THE GUARDIAN; REX FEATURES; GETTY
languages at school. I obtained 5 and survive a weekend … I
out of 200 in O-level French – an bought some wildlife books
all-time record. I was badly taught at a local bookshop, and
and I could never see the point. because I understood the
But then as a young Royal Marine context, I was able to read
in Singapore in the early 1960s (a them cover to cover and
bachelor I should stress), I heard grasp some of what they
that in Malay there was one word were saying. Then I said to
for “let’s take off our clothes and my neighbours: ‘Look, I’ll
tell dirty stories”. Suddenly I saw speak to you in French and
the point. I never found the word, I want you to constantly
but in the process I learned my correct me. I won’t be
first language.” offended.’ And they were
great, because they did.”

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL arrogant with languages. When I CAROLINE WYATT of all because it is such a global
Writer, broadcaster, former press was working in government, we BBC religious affairs magpie, borrowing from others,
secretary to Tony Blair dealt with the French quite a lot and correspondent and accepting so many ‘foreign’
Campbell studied French and with [President] Chirac’s people. Wyatt speaks French, German words before claiming them as its
German at university: “My dad Even though there were often big and some Russian: “Speaking own. I love the difference in register
comes from the Hebrides and his differences on policy, I felt I had the language makes a huge between the French/Norman
native language was Gaelic; he a very good relationship, in part difference to how people relate to words, and the short, sharp Anglo-
spoke no English until he went to because I picked up the phone and you, and the experience that you Saxon vocabulary – never mind
school … I think Britain has a bit spoke to them in French. If you have of that country … English the imperial borrowings such as
of a reputation for being lazy and make the effort, it’s appreciated.” is probably the richest language bungalow or pundit.”

32 33
CHAPTER 7

PERSONAL
STORIES reputation but I find the structure
How learning a language useful. I learn lots on my own, but
can transform lives having to turn up once a week and
be around people helps keep me
progressing. Depression can make
people feel very isolated.
“Conversation exchanges can
provide a simple, structured way
A window on a wider world to connect and help fight the
A moving blog from an anxiety that can leave me terrified
anonymous writer who has and unable to act. In these settings
depression, makes a case for I can make mistakes – indeed, I
the power of language learning must to progress – and realise
that many will not have that it’s not the end
appreciated. For this Languages of the world. On
provide a window
writer, this debilitating on to a wider days when all I can

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
condition is eased, at world, allowing do is retreat to my
least a little, by becoming me to connect couch and blanket,
immersed in learning a what I need most is
foreign language. distraction, something to
calm my brain when every breath ‘What you’re describing really resonates’
“I’m in my mid-30s and I’ve feels unbearable. Gameified apps Several readers of this touching account were inspired to share their thoughts, including
experienced depression since my such as Duolingo can provide this experiences of their own depression:
teens. In the past few years it has distraction. Clicking away helps
increasingly affected different areas me feel as if I’ve done something “Well done, what a great article! “You are very brave to make such an effort ... and I
of my life. Once or twice a month, purposeful; I can turn a tiny part I really appreciate what you say applaud your success so far! You are so right when
it’s so bad that I can’t leave the flat of my brain to something better about languages being a door you say that one of the biggest hurdles to jump
for a day or two; even when I feel … The voice of depression always into the wider world for times is the isolation. Language is most alive when at
brighter, I just don’t have the energy chides me for not doing more. It is when your world feels small and least two people are sharing it. When you learn a
… Depression can make your world true that learning a language can restrictive. That’s how I started, new one, you open up a whole section of the world
feel small, and your options few. often feel like an immense task, and it makes so much sense. as possible friends.”
Languages provide a window on but breaking it down into steps Languages are for everyone. When
to a wider world, allowing me to – one more podcast, one more I was struggling with depression “I have often wondered why, since moving to France
connect with people and giving me Duolingo lesson, one more chapter on a daily basis I was learning several years ago, and immersing myself in the
a route back to the things that I feel in my textbook – can remind me how to climb on the climbing language and culture, my depression is so limited that I
are important. I am progressing. I can check the wall in my local gym. What you’re no longer take medication. I am intrigued.”
“I take German evening classes number of words studied, the describing about the intense focus
after work. For two hours I struggle videos watched. This helps me talk and problem-solving in language And finally
along with other language learners. back to the voice of depression that learning really resonates.” “Bonne chance – machs gut!”
Group classes may have a bad says I can’t do it. So I’ll keep going.”

34 35
CHAPTER 7

PERSONAL
STORIES is a peculiar panic that comes with
I, too, fear losing my fluency
How learning a language forgetting a language you spoke version of describing something
can transform lives fluently as a child. as ‘music to my ears’ is mêl ar fy “Japanese, although learned as an adult
“My heart skips a beat every mysedd, or ‘honey on my fingers’. rather than as a native language, has a
time I realise that another Welsh To me, that’s so much more sensual similar hold on me. I have been speaking
word has disappeared from my than the English idiom, and it it every day, and in a considerably larger
vocabulary. It’s like trying to grasp reminds me of Wales’ history of amount than English, for the past 15 or so
a solid object that has started to poetry and song, and that living in years. After 19 years in Japan, I am start-
Language shapes a person disintegrate in front of you. Wales – with its mountains, beaches ing to think quite seriously about moving,
In her account of how precious her I’ve tried to understand where and 365-day rain cycle – is often a either back to the UK or to a different coun-
native language is to her, Ellie Mae this panic comes from. I think it’s very sensory experience. When I try. However, the thought that I might lose
O’Hagan wrote about the pain of that – more than any other cultural say that phrase I can almost feel my near-native fluency in spoken Japanese
forgetting how to speak Welsh. indicators – language has an how old the Welsh language is. really makes me hesitate. It would definitely
intimacy and power that shapes a “Perhaps the fact that languages feel like losing a part of myself.”
“Memory is a mysterious thing; person existentially. are embodied with so much culture
we’ve all had the feeling of “The Welsh language has a and history is why it
estrangement from places and unique character that reminds me feels so poignant to There is a peculiar
things we once felt an almost of the country’s landscape and forget them – and so panic that comes
with forgetting
psychic connection with. But there history. For example, the Welsh painful.” a language you
spoke fluently

There is a Czech saying: “You are as many


times a person as the [number of] languages
you know.” Knowledge of a foreign
language is like a flower: you have to care
for it, otherwise it will wither and die. The
Left: the Welsh author’s experience indicates that this also
language has a
applies to bilingual people, especially when

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY; REX FEATURES


poetic feel that is
different to
English. Above the ‘neglected’ language is relatively little
right: watching
foreign films, spoken. Then again, a major plus of the
such as Cinema
Paradiso, can
internet is that foreign language radio, films,
help with learning online dictionaries are just a few clicks away.
a different
language

36 37
auf
weide
rsehen
CONCLUSION
How learning a language
can transform lives wherever it takes place, must that communities of many diverse threatens any ambition to make
tot acknowledge that learning a languages could make native the UK better at speaking and
ziens language is much more than English speakers feel resentful understanding foreign languages
picking up a functional skill. It is and alienated. Professionals and gaining the accompanying
about understanding a different dedicated to community cohesion benefits. But this is not a reason
slá
n
arrivederci culture and appreciating different emphasised that their work to despair. Other subjects – the
perspectives on the world. often means working intensively sciences, for example – have faced
The therapeutic benefits of with individual families. Several similar crises and have shown how

adios An overwhelming message


from the Case for Language
learning a language – that it may
offer some help in conditions such
contributors regretted a sense that
being bilingual is undervalued
the right campaigning strategies
can, given time, raise public
farvel Learning is that throughout the as dementia or depression – are a in the UK, and in several parts of awareness and an appreciation of
naj UK a great number of people are reminder that language learning is the world, and that this is leading their benefits.
a
reuvoir
zeg touched by foreign languages. not always confined to schools and to both a waste of talent and The Case for Language Learning,
Living it:
learning a
foreign
As this report sets out, they are universities or full-time students. endangering the survival of some with its emphasis on how people language is
“living languages”. For some, The most effective policies to make minority languages. are “living languages”, provides about
appreciating
languages have been imposed: a the UK more multilingual will need The poor take-up of languages in a solid platform from which to different

r i
kwahe
perspectives on
compulsory part of their education, to take account of that. schools and universities seriously continue and build the campaign. • the world

or the result of living in a diverse The Case for Language Learning


ha community. Others have chosen also serves as a warning against
br det them as a way of improving or many common assumptions. The
a
stimulating a healthy mind, or demand for language skills
just for fun. in a global market,
For some, charged Learning a foreign for example, is not
with upholding national language is much straightforward.
more than simply
security, foreign picking up a The views of several
languages are part of functional skill experts in this field
the UK’s defence. Certain suggested it would be
economists and employers wrong to think that fluency
value the part that languages in a foreign language guarantees
play in the UK’s prosperity. An employment. Rather, they argued,
important role of the Case for candidates need to make the case
Language Learning has been to as to why a foreign language is an
highlight the many, various and asset in their application, as with
sometimes surprising areas of any other personal quality.
British life that are shaped by The idea that living among
foreign languages. people who speak a foreign
In the examination of teaching language promotes tolerance and
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALAMY

and learning languages, many understanding of other cultures


discussions emphasised the was also challenged by some
same point: language education, commentators, who felt strongly

38 39
weid auf
erse
hen do nia
widze

l á n e
tot s ail
b h
ziens a
tch
au
arrivederci

adios
farvel
naj
zeg au
revoir
ri
kwahe
ha
br det
a

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