Why study Languages?

The Importance of Languages

• How many languages are spoken throughout the world?

• 100• 200• 300• More than 500

Just over 6,500

In London, more than 300

languages are spoken at home.

The Importance of Languages

•The proportion of the world which does not speak English as its first language is:-

• 1%• 25%• 74%• 94%

94%

The Importance of Languages

What proportion of the world speaks no English at

all?• 75%• 60%• 50%• 25%

75%

Our planet has over 6 billion people who speak between 6000 and 7000 different languages

• Only 6% of the world’s population are native English speakers?

• 75% of the world’s population speak no English at all?

The Importance of Languages

How many UK companies are losing business because of language

barriers?• 1 out of every 100• 1 out of every 50• 1 out of every 5

1 out of every 5

What percentage of employers are looking for school-leavers with

language skills?

a) 10%

b) 25%

c) 50%

d) 74%

74%

Languages give you choices

• In most careers nowadays language abilities are highly valued and there is a particular shortage of people with languages in Engineering and Finance. A GCSE in a language will make you more employable.

Languages take you further

• Some universities now require a language GCSE for degree courses in English, History and Law

• A GCSE in a language will help you get into university.

• You will need a GCSE in a language to be awarded the English Baccalaureate

How will studying languages help you?

• It will increase your job opportunities • With the growth of the European

Union, there is a much greater need for people who have a foreign language.

• 60% of all UK trade is with non English-speaking countries

People who can speak another language earn on average 20%

more than people who do not

•86% of the UK86% of the UK’’s s richest under 30s richest under 30s speak a foreign speak a foreign

language.language.

Which languages are most in demand?

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

French

German

Mandarin/Cantonese

Spanish

Polish

Russian

Arabic

Portuguese

Japanese

Korean

Source: CBI, 2009

There are currently around 110 million people with French as their first language, and it is spoken in 60

countries around the world.

French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents. French and

English are the only two global languages.

France is the world's largest manufacturer of television sets

(HDTV was invented in France).

The French are leaders in medical genetics .

The French are the world's third manufacturers of electronics

equipment.

France is the fourth largest producer of cars in the world

France is the European leader in aerospace

France is a major world research centre in the field of high energy

physics.

More tourists visit France than any other country in the world.

French, along with English, is the official working

language of:-

• The United Nations• The International Olympic Committee• The International Red Cross• The Council of Europe• The European Court of Justice

Media

• Being able to speak a language opens doors for journalists all over the world. The BBC’s Andrew Marr has used his French and Spanish skills throughout his career, and says there’s no substitute for speaking the language of the country

Andrew Marr

Fiona Bruce

Huw Edwards

Sir Trevor McDonald

Ben Shephard

Sophie Raworth

Gary LinekerSpanish and Japanese

Jonathan RossRussian

Davina McCall

Marketing

• These days, companies have to market to customers all over the world. A lot of value is therefore placed on language skills. 

Technology and computer games

• The computer gaming industry has seen huge growth over the last few years, and the demand to produce software for local markets means that language skills are in increasing demand.

• Your languages would be a great asset in this sector.

Engineering

Engineering companies in Britain are having to recruit from France and Germany because British engineers don’t have language skills.

Who speaks foreign

languages?

Jonny wilkinson

Lance Armstrong

Ellen Macarthur

Sol Campbell

Paula Radcliffe

Johnny Depp

Helena Bonham-Carter

Rory Bremner

Jennifer Connelly

Dom Joly

Rupert Everett

Derren Brown

Uma Thurman

Tina Turner

Jodie Foster

Elton John

Jamie Oliver

Madonna

Kate Beckinsale

Kylie Minogue

J K Rowling

Christopher Lee

Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson CBE:

“All I can advise, is that you keep working at your languages. Foreign

languages are exciting and interesting - keep up the

hard work, it will be worth it in the end.”

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4GXAmB1w6o