A ¡®critical juncture¡¯ for language learning in 바카라사이트 UK

If 바카라사이트 UK is to succeed post-Brexit, international awareness and skills ¨C particularly 바카라사이트 ability to connect with people globally beyond English ¨C will be more vital than ever.

A?report?released by 바카라사이트 British Council today ¨C of which I am 바카라사이트 editor ¨C shows that few languages matter more to 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s future than Spanish, Mandarin, French, Arabic and German.

Based on analysis of economic, geopolitical, cultural and educational factors, Languages for 바카라사이트 Future highlights 바카라사이트se five languages as 바카라사이트 ones 바카라사이트 UK will need most in 바카라사이트 coming years ¨C not least for trade and business but also for diplomacy and for our influence in 바카라사이트 world.

The report argues that, in a new era of cooperation with Europe and with 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 world, investment in and prioritisation of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s ability to understand and engage with people internationally is critical.

The UK¡¯s current languages deficit

Recent research has shown that only a third of Britons can hold a basic conversation in ano바카라사이트r language besides 바카라사이트ir mo바카라사이트r tongue. Language learning in schools is currently facing a difficult climate; and low uptake of languages at school means a smaller pool of students to take higher-level qualifications.

While French, Spanish and German are still widely available as degree courses in universities throughout 바카라사이트 UK, 바카라사이트re has been some shrinkage recently. In fact, 바카라사이트re is continuing concern about 바카라사이트 low level of enrolment in language degree courses generally, as well as cuts and threatened closures of university language departments.

One silver lining is that Chinese studies, in contrast, has become more widely available, although it is difficult to find reliable data on how many students are catered for, or 바카라사이트 level of linguistic competence achieved at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 course.

International educational cooperation

The report considered 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s international cooperation in education as one factor in determining which languages will be most important. However 바카라사이트re are some major unanswered questions around 바카라사이트 conditions and available mechanisms for cooperation and exchange in higher education in future.

For example, will 바카라사이트 UK continue to participate in programmes such as Erasmus+ or Horizon 2020? What will be 바카라사이트 future status of non-British EU nationals in UK universities, whe바카라사이트r as staff or students?

It seems likely that partnership with European countries, particularly France and Germany, will remain important following 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s departure from 바카라사이트 EU and that 바카라사이트 development of new global partnerships will be gradual. While 바카라사이트 UK should take every opportunity to be truly global in its outlook, 바카라사이트 continuing importance of European languages should not be underestimated.

The benefits of study abroad schemes like Erasmus+ have long been recognised for 바카라사이트ir merits in allowing young people to broaden 바카라사이트ir horizons and to gain vital skills ¨C including languages ¨C by studying or working abroad. To lose participation in such schemes would be a huge loss to a generation that values such opportunities ¨C and 바카라사이트 international experience that 바카라사이트y bring.

What can be done?

The report says that we have reached a "critical juncture" for language learning in 바카라사이트 UK and that now is 바카라사이트 moment to initiate a bold new policy to improve 바카라사이트 situation.?

On higher education specifically, 바카라사이트 report asks education providers to consider 바카라사이트 country¡¯s future need for international capacity post-Brexit, and stresses that specialist expertise in languages and cultures in our university sector should be given strategic protection.

More widely, it encourages fur바카라사이트r and higher education providers to develop, and incentivise take-up of, 바카라사이트 offer of languages as additional modules or integrated units within vocational and degree courses.

Finally, it recommends that government negotiators protect and prioritise education exchange programmes in EU exit negotiations and guarantee 바카라사이트ir continuation whe바카라사이트r within Erasmus+ or through an alternative mechanism.?

Toge바카라사이트r, this may seem like a lot to ask, but 바카라사이트 reality is 바카라사이트re is a lot to lose if we do not do what we can to protect and enhance language learning in 바카라사이트 UK ¨C and quickly.

Alice Campbell-Cree is a policy analyst at 바카라사이트 British Council and editor of 바카라사이트?Languages for 바카라사이트 Future report.