Language school UIC Languages is calling for a nationwide effort to get British workers speaking a second language. The push comes after figures reveal that almost a million UK businesses are losing out lost to European competitors because they can’t find enough good quality graduates who speak European languages.

‘Where do you imagine it’s likely the recruitment will be for graduate jobs – a German or French or Italian who speaks English fluently as well as their own language or an English graduate who doesn’t speak anything except English?’ asked a spokesperson for UIC Languages.

Since languages were made non-statutory by the last government in 2004, the number of students taking language GCSEs has been steadily declining – falling from 61 per cent in 2005 to 44 per cent in 2010.

The result, according to the UIC spokesperson, is that: ‘British graduates don’t see the need to bother’ – a fatal mistake in the current economic climate. As well as multilingualism being an aid to business communication and an indicator of a person’s internationalist outlook, ’employers see the ability to learn a second language as good in itself.’

Via EPR Network
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