Douglas Olsen
Language learning is a popular pursuit, with an estimated 1.5 billion people actively learning a foreign language worldwide. In the US, 20% of students learn a foreign language, compared to 92% in Europe. In the EU, 96% of pupils studied English as a foreign language in 2018, with French, German, Spanish, and Russian following as the next most popular languages. In the US, only 12% of higher education institutions require intermediate foreign language competency for graduation, and colleges lost 651 foreign language programs between 2013 and 2016. However, language learning is becoming more accessible through online platforms, apps, and immersion programs, and many universities now offer different tracks based on students' language levels.
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What You'll Learn
Language learning statistics in the US
According to a survey, 30% of Americans learned a foreign language because it was a school requirement, and most have since forgotten it. Only 1 in 5 Americans can speak another language fluently, compared to over half of Europeans who are bilingual. This disparity is also evident in higher education, with only 12% of US higher education institutions requiring intermediate-level language study.
The lack of emphasis on language education in US schools contributes to this gap. While European students often start learning a foreign language between the ages of 6 and 9, only 20% of American students take a foreign language course before 3rd grade. Additionally, the vast majority of US states do not have mandatory foreign language requirements, with only three states and Washington, D.C., having such stipulations.
The decline in foreign language learning in US colleges and universities is also notable. Between 2013 and 2016, language course enrollment dropped by 9.2%, and colleges lost 651 foreign language programs between 2013 and 2016. Currently, only about 7% of college students in the US are enrolled in a language course, a decline attributed to shifting student and parent priorities, as well as a lack of funding for language programs.
This trend has potential consequences for Americans' competitiveness in the global job market, cultural awareness, and personal growth opportunities. Over 70% of those surveyed expressed regret about not learning another language, and 21% missed career opportunities due to their lack of foreign language skills.
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Language learning statistics in the UK
Language learning is an essential aspect of education, offering intellectual and health benefits and enhancing cultural exchange and understanding. While global events like Covid-19 and Brexit have opened new opportunities for intercultural exchange and language study in the UK, there are concerns about the decline in language learning at universities.
Language Learning in UK Schools
In the UK, primary school pupils are generally expected to learn a foreign language in England and Scotland, and 38% of people speak at least one foreign language. At Key Stage 3 in the UK (age 11-14), it is compulsory to study a modern foreign language. At GCSE (age 14-16) and A-level (age 16-18), both modern and classical languages are taught. The most popular second languages at A-level are Spanish (8,000 students) and French (7,800 students), followed by German (2,800 students). Spanish overtook French as the most popular second language at A-level in 2019.
The UK government has also shown interest in promoting the study of ancient languages, allocating £4 million in 2022 to develop the study of Latin through the Latin Excellence Programme. This initiative aims to boost GCSE Latin entries and will be modelled on the successful Mandarin Excellence Programme, which now has over 6,000 pupils learning Mandarin towards fluency.
Language Learning in UK Universities
University-level language learning in the UK has seen significant decreases in recent years, particularly for commonly taught European languages like French, German, and Spanish. This decline has led to concerns about the potential disappearance of language learning in some 'cold spots' across the UK. The report "Languages Learning in Higher Education: Granular Trends" highlights the decreasing numbers of students pursuing undergraduate degrees solely focused on languages. However, combined and joint degrees, especially those taught in combination with social sciences at Russell Group universities, have shown more stability.
The perception of languages as challenging subjects and the belief that it is difficult to attain high grades contribute to students opting for more traditional degree courses. Additionally, the rise of translation tools and technologies may have reduced the perceived need for language learning. Nevertheless, language learning remains essential for cultural exchange and understanding, and universities are encouraged to offer different tracks based on students' language levels to promote accessibility.
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Language learning statistics in the EU
English is the most studied foreign language in the EU, with 96.8% of upper secondary general education students and 78.6% of vocational education students learning it in 2021. In general education, Spanish ranked second (26.8%), followed by French (22.3%), German (21.8%), and Italian (3.2%). Russian was the most commonly learned non-EU language (2.8%), especially in Estonia (66%) and Latvia (59%).
In 2020, 60% of pupils in upper secondary general education in the EU studied two or more foreign languages as compulsory subjects or curriculum options, an increase of 1% from 2019. In upper secondary vocational education, this share was 35%, also up by 1% from the previous year.
It is worth noting that language-learning uptake has been declining among UK students, with French and German experiencing the most significant drops between 2013 and 2019. In Scotland, 30% of secondary schools failed to offer any additional language in 2020, despite government requirements to do so. However, modern languages are still studied in universities and colleges, with various degrees awarded in this field.
Overall, the EU displays a strong emphasis on language learning, with many countries mandating the study of multiple foreign languages. This contrasts with the US, which has lower rates of foreign language learning. In 2017, only about 20% of K-12 students in the US were enrolled in foreign language classes, according to the American Councils for International Education.
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Language learning methods
The Communicative Approach
Teachers often use this approach as one of the best methods for learning a new language. It allows them to teach someone with little to no ability to communicate in the target language and make them comfortable in various real-life situations within a few dozen lessons.
Total Physical Response (TPR)
Developed by James Asher, a professor emeritus of psychology at San José State University, TPR combines language with physical movement to maximise learning effectiveness. It mimics the way infants learn their mother tongue and can be used with students of all levels, especially those learning basic vocabulary.
Immersion Programs
Immersion programs have gained popularity, where learners immerse themselves in a country or community that speaks the target language. According to the Institute of International Education, US student participation in study abroad programs increased by 3.8% in the 2018/2019 academic year.
Language Exchanges
Language exchanges, where learners practice with native speakers, have also grown significantly. Language exchange apps like Tandem reported over 10 million users in 2021.
Traditional Classroom Learning
Despite the rise of online platforms and apps, traditional classroom-based learning remains popular, with approximately 80% of language learners choosing this method.
Self-Study
Self-study and independent learning have become prevalent, with 65% of Europeans learning languages independently. This method may include using online platforms, apps, or books.
It is important to note that there is no single best language learning method that universally delivers the same excellent results. Combining different methods that work best for the learner's goals and learning style is often the most effective approach. Universities often offer different tracks based on language levels to cater to diverse student needs.
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Language learning and employability
Language learning is becoming increasingly popular, with approximately 1.5 billion language learners worldwide. This is likely due to the growing recognition of the employability benefits that language learning brings.
In today's globalized world, effective communication with people from different backgrounds and nationalities is essential. Language proficiency opens up a wide range of job prospects, with bilingual employees earning, on average, 5-20% more than their monolingual counterparts. Fluency in in-demand languages like Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic significantly boosts employability and provides access to global job markets.
Research suggests that bilingual and multilingual individuals possess enhanced soft skills, such as problem-solving, creativity, and empathy. They are also perceived to be more open to other viewpoints and adept at establishing interpersonal connections, which are highly valued in customer service and business relations.
The ability to communicate in multiple languages is a key skill that meets the demands of the modern labour market. With companies expanding into international markets, job offers increasingly require proficiency in a second language. Language skills enable individuals to stand out in a competitive job market and enhance their career prospects.
Furthermore, language learning improves cultural understanding and promotes personal growth. It breaks down barriers and fosters connections, making both individuals and economies more competitive. Initiatives like the Erasmus study exchange programme in the EU have demonstrated the positive impact of language learning on employability and competitiveness.
In conclusion, language learning is a valuable asset for individuals seeking to enhance their employability. It opens doors to new job opportunities, improves essential soft skills, and enables individuals to meet the growing demands of the global labour market.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer, but it is estimated that around 20% of US students learn a foreign language, compared to 92% in Europe. In the UK, the number is even lower, with only 10% of students studying a foreign language by the time they enter college.
There are no federally mandated foreign language requirements for American students. Only three states and Washington, D.C., have foreign language requirements in high school.
English is the most popular second language in the world, with 96% of pupils in the EU studying it as a foreign language in 2018. The next most popular languages in the EU are French (25.9%), Spanish (22%), German (20.4%), and Russian (2%).
Learning a language can improve brain health and critical thinking skills. It can also increase employability and open up global job markets, with bilingual employees earning 5-20% more on average.
Traditional classroom-based learning remains the most popular method, with around 80% of language learners choosing this approach. However, online language learning platforms and apps have seen a significant rise in popularity, along with immersion programs and language exchanges.
