Save Our Foreign Languages!

Tomorrow is European Languages Day. Let's hope the event raises awareness of the importance of protecting minority languages: 50% of some 6700 languages spoken in the world are in danger of disappearing.

More alarming though is that foreign languages are in danger of disappearing right on our doorstep. Foreign language learning has been marginalised to such an extent that secondary school pupils are no longer required to speak a foreign language. Written course work alone now earns them a pass grade in the language of choice.

When I taught German in the UK, kids told me it was far easier for foreigners to learn English, because they were more exposed to English-language music and films.

From what I see here in Germany though, most kids seem far happier watching programmes dubbed than in the original language. And when quizzed, few of my students appear to understand the lyrics of their "faves". A popular radio show in Bavaria even encourages listeners to phone in and suggest what they think they hear English artists are singing in German. This morning a pupil amused us all, swearing she heard "Wir wollen Socken" (we want socks) in a song by The Clash.

Of course lack of exposure to foreign tongues is no longer an excuse for British learners either. Thank God for You Tube and satellite TV!

Many schools in the UK are planning their own European Languages Day. A primary school is mounting its answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. And CILT, the National Centre for Languages, is challenging teenagers to create a 2-minute clip to highlight the benefits of language skills. See my favourite clip about a lad who would certainly have found a girlfriend if only he'd learnt a foreign language or two!

The results are encouraging and show that at least some Brits are taking language learning seriously.