Britain suffers drop in foreign-language students

The daily reacts after the National Union of Teachers described as a 'complete disaster' new figures showing a decline in the number of UK secondary school students studying foreign languages. "The NUT's hyperbole catches the attention, but it would be more helpful to speak about a depressing impoverishment of our culture. There are compelling practical reasons for seeking mastery of a foreign language, whether they be advancing job prospects or facilitating travel for pleasure. But to argue the case simply from a utilitarian point of view is to miss the deeper educational value of unlocking the door to a different mode of expression, and therefore of thinking. Learning a language broadens the mind and, by a mirror effect, helps the student to a greater understanding of his or her native tongue. English is a superbly flexible language with a huge vocabulary drawing on both Latin and Teutonic sources. Unfortunately, its universal status suggests to native speakers that it is not worth learning another."

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