Languages For The Future PDF

Languages for
the Future
Which languages the UK needs most and why
www.britishcouncil.org
This report was commissioned by the British Council and prepared
by Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board of Alcantara Communications.
Teresa Tinsley is a linguist with over Kathryn Board was Chief Executive Alcantara Communications provides
30 years’ experience in national of CILT, The National Centre for expertise to national and international
organisations devoted to languages Languages from 2008 and has worked organisations, private companies and third
education. At CILT, the National Centre with specialists and a wide range of sector bodies on language education
for Languages, she led the organisation’s educational institutions to provide policies, multilingualism and languages
information, research and publications advice on educational policy as well in employment and undertakes research
activities. She established CILT’s as on initiatives aimed at increasing and analysis in this field.
‘Language Trends’ series of reports language learning across the UK. Before
and produced statistics and policy joining CILT, she spent 30 years working
developments published as Languages for the British Council in a number of
Yearbooks 1995–2007. She was involved international and management roles.
in several European research projects on Now partially retired, she continues to
multilingualism and is a member of the work on research projects where she
European Commission’s ‘Languages in can bring in her expertise. Kathryn
Education and Training’ group. Since speaks Spanish, German and Dutch and
founding Alcantara Communications, is working hard on improving her Arabic.
she has conducted policy research on
languages issues for clients including the
British Academy and CfBT Education Trust.
Contents
Foreword 2
Executive summary 3
Introduction 4
The UK’s language challenge 6
Identifying the languages the UK needs 10
Conclusion and recommendations 19
The top ten languages 22–41
Appendix: Matrix of language indicators
weightings and scores 42
About the
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Languages for the Future 1

Foreword
On a poster on the wall in a university in Beijing, I recently read these

remarkable words from Nelson Mandela: ‘If you talk to a man in a
language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his
own language, that goes to his heart.’ Nearly 1,000 people were taking
their English exams that day.
I am proud to work for an organisation unable – to travel, explore, navigate

which offers millions of learners and engage at some level with people
worldwide access to the education, in other languages.
job opportunities and social mobility
The analysis of economic and cultural
that English brings. But in the UK we
indicators in this report suggests not that
must accept that speaking English
people in the UK are learning the wrong
alone is not enough in a world where
languages, but that we need far more
multilingualism is becoming the norm.
people learning a much wider range of
There can be no doubt that the UK needs languages in the future. French, Spanish
more of its people to speak foreign and German will continue to be important
languages – for employability, for trade but we will also need significantly
and the economy, and for our cultural more Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and
life. But, let’s be honest, there are Portuguese speakers as well as speakers
big barriers to this. So many people of Italian, Japanese, Russian and Turkish.
worldwide do speak English, and learning
It is worth remembering that when we
foreign languages in the UK has often John Worne
think of languages in the UK, we tend to
been seen as an academic pursuit rather Director of Strategy,
think of ‘going away’. However, given
than a vital skill. Much of this revolves British Council
that Japanese car manufacturers,
around the difference between being
Chinese infrastructure developers and
‘fluent’ or ‘functional’ in a language. John Worne is responsible for the
French utility companies all make huge
The British Council’s experience of English contributions in the UK, you do not need British Council’s global strategy,
language teaching is that what matters to cross the equator or even the English governance, web and digital presence
most is being able to understand and to be Channel to find situations and jobs where and reputation. He writes and speaks on
understood; whether the need is for basic even a little Chinese, Japanese, or the value of culture and the importance
vocabulary to give directions to a taxi French can be a real career enhancer. of languages and international skills for
driver or for a more extensive vocabulary the UK’s young people. He is a regular
Five or ten phrases will enable most media commentator on soft power and
to be an international business person.
people to navigate many countries at a the UK’s standing in the world. A French
It is hard to know, especially at a young basic level. 1,000 words can be enough speaker, John has lived and worked in
age, which language is likely to be of to feel autonomous, confident and secure Paris as well as Hong Kong, Colombia,
most use. So perhaps a more ‘functional’ in another country and brings some Russia, Indonesia and Malaysia. He has
focus – having enough – might be the cultural understanding. ‘Fluent’ is an also held senior positions at the Cabinet
key to promoting language learning in inhibitor, ‘functional’ is a liberator. It begins Office and the Department of Health.
the UK. Not to impoverish or lessen the with a few words and phrases – and that
academic or cultural value of long-term small investment can grow into a lifetime
language study, but to increase the of interest, employment and opportunity.
number of people who feel able – not
2
Executive Summary
It is a widely held – if not undisputed – • Businesses, in that they should

1 Spanish
view that the UK is lacking in the invest in the development of the
necessary language skills for the future, 2 Arabic language skills from which they
partly because of the status of English will directly benefit.
3 French
as the language of international • Policy makers, businesses,
communications. 4 Mandarin Chinese
diaspora communities and minority
This report seeks to provide a strategic 5 German communities; in terms of ensuring
analysis of the UK’s long-term language these groups’ language skills
6 Portuguese
needs, looking at a variety of economic, and cultural skills are utilised
geopolitical, cultural and educational 7 Italian in the education system and for
indicators and scoring different languages business purposes.
8= Russian
against these. It identifies a list of • School curricula in all four countries,
ten languages which will be of crucial 8= Turkish in that they should be enriched by
importance for the UK’s prosperity, 10 Japanese the inclusion of new languages and
security and influence in the world in an increased focus on understanding
the years ahead. other cultures.
A survey commissioned by the British
The indicators used are: Council for this report suggests that • Schools, in exploiting the many
three quarters of the UK public are languages and cultural resources
1. current UK export trade
unable to speak any of these languages available; whether funded, free, local,
2. the language needs of UK business online or through international links
well enough to hold a conversation.
3. UK government trade priorities and partnerships with other countries.
These findings suggest not that people
4. emerging high growth markets • Young people – and their parents –
in the UK are learning the wrong
5. diplomatic and security priorities in that they should seek out more
languages, but the UK needs to develop
opportunities to learn languages and
6. the public’s language interests its citizens’ competence in a wider range
experience other cultures, both in
7. outward visitor destinations of languages, and in far greater numbers,
school and outside – and receive
in order to reap the economic and
8. UK government’s International more consistent advice about the
cultural benefits available to those who
Education Strategy priorities benefits of doing so.
have these skills.
9. levels of English proficiency • The UK’s international partnerships
in other countries The conclusion of this analysis is that with language and cultural institutes
the UK must take a strategic approach of other countries which enable
10. the prevalence of different
in planning for effective development of access to resources, support and
languages on the internet.
the language capacity which this country learning from good practice in the
From the analysis of languages against needs. This has implications for: teaching and learning of languages.
these indicators – and it is worth • The four UK governments, in terms of • UK adults who currently do not speak
remembering that they include cultural linking language education policy to any of the key languages should
and educational priorities as well as national aspirations for international endeavour to learn the basics of
economic ones – comes a list of the engagement in business, education one of them.
ten most important languages for the and cultural fields.
UK’s future; in order:
• Governments and business, in that
they must work together to develop
educational policy and priorities
relating to languages.

Introduction
Languages are the bedrock of the world’s cultural heritage.

Every language offers a rich and unique insight into different
ways of thinking and living as well as into the history of the
myriad of cultures and peoples across the globe.
David Crystal has written passionately speakers, unable to tap into the long-term benefits. It is important,
about the need to appreciate and multilingual environments enjoyed therefore, to attempt to address the
understand the world’s linguistic by others, would face a bleak difficult question of which languages are
heritage in the same way that we value economic future. likely to provide the best outcomes, and
its biological diversity. 1 All languages to identify criteria by which we may be
Studies for the European Commission
are equal from a linguistic point of view. able to judge the potential value of one
have shown that the economic benefits
It is as wrong to judge the value of over another in terms of the UK’s future
of competence in more than one
one against another as it would be to economic prosperity and security.
language are not limited to English. 4
compare the relative value of, say, the
A wide range of languages are needed Public debate about which languages are
culture of Renaissance Italy with that
to exploit the benefits of the single market important to learn is often dominated by
of Imperial China. But when it comes to
and keep improving trade between the particular interests of the individual
investing time, money and effort in the
peoples worldwide. Even when others commentator and too often lacks a solid
learning of languages, practical factors
have a high level of proficiency in English, and balanced information base. In shaping
inevitably come into play. Politicians,
this does not mean that their languages policy and priorities it is also important
taxpayers, parents and learners all want
can be ignored. In order to develop to balance economic with non-market
to be able to invest in those languages
relations between countries and interests – cultural, intellectual, individual
where their efforts and resources are
individuals based on mutual respect and societal factors. Current needs and
going to prove most effective for their
and trust as well as to do business the demands of the present must also
particular needs.
effectively, there is a need for an be considered alongside changing global
There is no denying the importance understanding of the social, political, patterns of economic and cultural
of English as a common means of and technical systems of a country, exchange, and what this might mean for
communication across the world, or its as well as the innumerable aspects languages needed in the future. The UK’s
strength as the first foreign language of daily life that are important to that position in the world depends not only
of choice for most non-Anglophone nation’s identity and culture. on its membership of organisations like
countries. 2 But David Graddol’s 2006 the Commonwealth and the European
Of course people learn languages for
analysis of global language trends was Union (EU), but also on considering
more than purely instrumental purposes,
a timely warning against complacency where trust between other countries
but learners do want to be able to use
regarding the predominance of English and the UK could be enhanced by a
the languages they have learned, and
worldwide. 3 He predicted that the greater understanding of their languages
taxpayers and governments want to see
competitive advantage of English will and cultures.
their education resources spent in a way
ebb and that monolingual English
that will provide the greatest possible
1. David Crystal (2000) Language Death, Cambridge University Press.

2. Janet Enever, Jayne Moon and Uma Raman (2009) Young Learner English Language Policy and Implementation: International Perspectives, British Council and Garnet Education.
3. David Graddol (2006) English Next, British Council.
4. http://ec.europa.eu/languages/languages-mean-business/evidence-from-research
4
This publication focuses on the UK’s Neither does it set out to provide an enrich cultural understanding and provide
long-term strategic needs for languages in-depth consideration of the use a valuable resource which can be drawn
and asks which of them are most likely of particular languages in different on in overcoming communication barriers
to meet the UK’s needs and aspirations contexts and environments, but to in an international context. All and any
over the next 20 or so years. provide a strategic analysis to feed languages are worth having – this report
into public debate. simply indicates those the UK needs most.
It uses a number of criteria, based on
both economic and non-economic It cannot be stressed strongly enough
factors, to help identify language that all languages are valuable and this
requirements for global engagement, report does not seek to advise against
using evidence from a range of sources. learning a language which might suit
It does not seek to provide the definitive an individual’s interests and particular
answer – recognising that politics and needs. The knowledge of any language
priorities are very likely to change over in addition to one’s mother tongue not
time – but rather to provide material for only expands linguistic capability, but
an informed discussion of the issues. can also give access to employment,
ity
l Univers
age an d Cultura
g Langu
l of Beijin
Poster on a wal
the UK’s language challenge
The current language deficit Despite this apparent richness, the need the 4,700 students who have been
for the UK to improve its capability in accepted in 2013 to start language
In many ways the UK is linguistically rich.
languages is incontestable, as shown by degrees is dwarfed by almost ten times
It has major indigenous languages: Welsh,
the following factors: that number taking business studies. 14
Gaelic, Irish, Scots, Ulster Scots, Manx
and Cornish; and in total somewhere • The achievement of pupils in England • British employers regularly express
between 200 and 300 languages in the European Survey on Language dissatisfaction with school and college
are represented amongst its diverse Competences was poorer than that leavers’ skills in languages. In a
population. 5 The 2011 UK Census of pupils from any other country taking 2013 survey of businesses by the
identified Polish as the most widely part. 10 In fact, 30 per cent of 15 year Confederation of British Industry only
spoken ‘main language’ after the UK’s olds about to take their GCSE exams 36 per cent were satisfied with their
own indigenous languages (but the did not achieve any measurable level at employees’ language skills, compared
formulation of the census question all in the language they were studying. with 93 per cent who were satisfied
meant that many other languages spoken or very satisfied with school and
• The number of students taking A-levels
by more established immigrant groups college leavers’ skills in the use
in languages has been falling for a
were under-represented). Pupil censuses of IT. 15 Seven out of ten businesses
number of years – in 2013 alone by
carried out by the Department for stated that they value language skills
five per cent. Languages now make
Education (DfE), 6 the Scottish Executive, 7 in their employees.
up only 3.8 per cent of all subject
education authorities in Wales 8 and entries, meaning that fewer than one • In their 2012 publication Exporting is
research conducted by the Northern in every 26 students learns a language good for Britain, the British Chambers
Ireland Department of Education 9 show beyond a basic level. French and of Commerce 16 argued that an inability
that the top ten languages spoken by German entries fell by ten per cent to trade in languages other than
schoolchildren in the UK consist of four and 11 per cent respectively, English is damaging the UK’s export
from the Indian subcontinent (Panjabi, following on from five per cent and performance. Their report stated
Urdu, Gujarati and Bengali), three from seven per cent declines in 2012. 11 that ‘the extent of the language
Europe (Polish, French and Portuguese), In Scotland there is concern about deficit in the UK is truly serious: up
and Arabic, Tamil and Somali. The the continuing decline in French to 96 per cent of respondents had
linguistic skills of these children should and German in both Standard no foreign language ability for the
be taken into account in any consideration Grade and Higher examinations. 12 markets they served, and the largest
of how language skills can be developed language deficits are for the fastest-
• There is concern about the low
to enhance future cultural and economic developing markets.’ 17
numbers of students taking language
contacts between the UK and countries • The British Academy has made a
degree courses. 13 As a front page
where these languages are spoken. powerful case for languages not
article in the Observer recently noted,
5. John Eversley et al. (2010) Language Capital. Mapping the Languages of London’s Schoolchildren, CILT/Institute of Education.
6. National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (2011) School Census January 2011 Language Data. Number of Compulsory School Age Pupils in Primary,
Secondary and Special Schools by Declared First Language: www.naldic.org.uk/research-and-information/eal-statistics/lang
7. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011. Main Home Language.
8. Welsh Assembly Government (2010) School Census: http://wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/headlines/schools2011/110906/?lang=en
9. Department of Education Northern Ireland (2013) Newcomer Pupils: www.deni.gov.uk/index/support-and-development-2/additional-educational-support/newcomer-policy.htm
10. European Commission (2012) First European Survey on Language Competences. Final Report: http://ec.europa.eu/languages/eslc/index.html
11. Joint Council for Qualifications (2013) A, AS and AEA Results, Summer 2013.
12. Scottish Qualifications Authority (2013) National Course and Awards Result Statistics 2013.
13. See latest statement from the Higher Education Funding Council for England at www.hefce.ac.uk/whatwedo/crosscutting/sivs/data
14. The figures on which this article is based are published at www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/daily-clearing-analysis-subject-130816.pdf
15. Confederation of British Industry and Pearson (2013) Changing the Pace. CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2013.
16. British Chambers of Commerce (2012) Exporting Is Good for Britain – Skills:
www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-maker/policy-reports-and-publications/exporting-is-good-for-britain-skills.html#.UMDH-9vKdAM
17. ibid.
18. British Academy (2011) Language Matters More and More. A Position Statement.
19. Ethnologue: www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size
6
only in relation to trade and global Making sense of the at all, or instead be putting its energies
economy, but also for greater UK’s language needs into developing competence in major
intercultural understanding, as well global languages such as Mandarin
But which languages does the UK most
as highlighting their value as both Chinese and Arabic? And what about
need? Unlike their peers in many countries
the object and vehicle of study and Russian and Japanese, heralded some
of the world, people in English-speaking
research. 18 It states that ‘Understanding years ago as upcoming languages,
nations do not have one obvious language
the languages, cultures and societies but stubbornly resistant to significant
which everyone should learn. Traditionally
of others, as well as the way in which growth within our education systems?
our schools and universities have taught
languages interact with each other and
French and German, but these are the In terms of numbers of first language
with English, is an important means
languages that have suffered most from speakers, Mandarin Chinese is easily
of improving intercultural interactions
recent declines. The number of people the most predominant language in the
and enhancing social well-being at
studying Spanish has increased steadily world today, and collectively, all Chinese
home as well as overseas.’
– to the extent that it has now overtaken languages total 1,197 million native
• A recent survey conducted by YouGov German as the UK’s second most speakers. 19 Many of the languages in
for the British Council highlights that popular language to learn. But is this Chart 1 below also have very large
75 per cent of the adult UK population what the UK needs, given the strength numbers of second language speakers.
is unable to hold a conversation in of the German economy, its status as It would be easy to conclude that we
any of the ten languages highlighted the UK’s number one trading partner should align our language learning
as important in this report. and known employer demand for efforts accordingly, but does this reflect
German in the UK? Indeed, should the the true balance of the UK’s future needs?
UK be looking at European languages
Chart 1: Top ten most widely spoken languages, by first language speakers (millions)
848 406 335 260 223 203 193 162 122 84
Spanish Hindi Portuguese Russian Javanese
Mandarin Chinese English Arabic Bengali Japanese

(all varieties)
Source: Ethnologue: www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size

English is of course widely used as a Table 1: Ranking of economies with the largest GDP in 2010
lingua franca as well as in international versus 2020 (PPP I$)
organisations such as the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, Rank 2010 2020
where it is the only official language. But
1 United States China
a number of other languages also appear
frequently as co-official languages in 2 China United States
international organisations. The United
3 Japan India
Nations (UN), for example, has as its official
languages Arabic, Chinese, English, 4 India Japan
French, Russian and Spanish while the
5 Germany Russia
International Labour Organisation (ILO)
uses English, French and Spanish. 6 Russia Germany
French is an official language alongside
7 United Kingdom Brazil
English at the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD), 8 France United Kingdom
the International Olympic Committee and
9 Brazil France
the Council of Europe, while Spanish
and Portuguese are co-official in pan- 10 Italy Mexico
American institutions, as are Portuguese 11 Mexico South Korea
and French in African international
organisations. In the EU, the national 12 South Korea Indonesia
languages of all member states are 13 Spain Italy
official, with English, French and German
considered ‘procedural languages’. 14 Canada Canada
Table 1 shows a ranking of the top 15 Indonesia Spain

15 economies based on GDP in 2010
Source: Euromonitor International 2010
and 2020 by Euromonitor. The growing (http://blog.euromonitor.com/2010/07/special-report-top-10-largest-economies-in-2020.html)
importance of emerging economies will Purchasing power parity (PPP) is a method of measuring the relative purchasing power of different countries’
have implications for global influence, currencies over the same types of goods and services, thus allowing a more accurate comparison of living standards.
consumption, investment and the

environment. Their developing consumer
markets present enormous opportunities
for businesses (although it is worth noting
that income per capita will remain
higher in the established economies).
8
Identifying the languages
the UK needs
Methodology Table 2: The ten factors The ten indicators chosen take into
account future requirements as well
Investment in language learning, whether 1 Current UK export trade as current practice. Evidence has
by central government, educational
2 The language needs been gathered from international
institutions or private sector organisations,
of UK business organisations, from UK government
requires a systematic analysis of which
sources, from business organisations
languages can bring most benefits, 3 Government’s future
and from independent research. The
whether to people, society at large or trade priorities
criteria have been selected to capture
our economy. This publication seeks to
4 Emerging high ‘bottom up’ indications from business
take forward this analysis by identifying
growth markets organisations and the general public,
a number of criteria which can be
as well as the way in which languages
used to aid the prioritisation of languages 5 Diplomatic and
security priorities can support ‘top down’ government
and has taken into account both market
policy. The research does not make
and non-market factors. Economic 6 The public’s value judgements about the relative
indicators have been balanced with language interests worth of different cultures.
cultural indicators, public interest in
7 Outward and inward tourism The methodology is open to refinement
learning different languages, and the
need to develop strong relationships 8 Government’s international with the addition of new indicators or
for diplomatic, educational or strategic education strategy priorities alternative weighting, should this be
purposes. thought beneficial. For example, the
9 Levels of English proficiency
extent to which languages or their scripts
Economic and cultural factors have in other countries
are related could be factored in – the
been weighted equally and then qualified
10 The prevalence of different ability to read the Arabic alphabet gives
with two additional contextual factors: languages on the internet access not only to Arabic, but to Urdu,
the extent to which people in the countries
Farsi and other languages; and vice
concerned are proficient in English and
Economic factors
versa. Similarly one might wish to include
the representation of different languages Cultural, educational and diplomatic factors
the extent to which different languages
on the internet.
Balancing factors are easy to learn for English speakers.

Consistent with the macro focus of the
research, the data used relates, in general,
to the whole of the UK; data taken from
sources of evidence relating to the
individual nations of the UK might give
slightly different results for England,
Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales
respectively. As has been noted above,
the aim is not to provide a definitive
answer, but to open up a discussion about
which languages are most important.
10
Economic factors account, since this would necessitate a Table 3: Top ten languages of the
much more complex piece of research. UK’s current most important
Current UK export trade
However, the likely extent to which export markets (excluding English)
(Indicator 1) business can be done in English has been
The main source for current demand Rank Language
factored in – see Table 8 on page 15.
is the Office of National Statistics (ONS) 1 German
data on the UK’s top export markets It is recognised, however, that there is
in 2012. These are set out in Chart 2. no straightforward relationship between 2 Dutch
A simple matching exercise makes one nation and one language, and
3 French
it possible to identify the languages that global mobility and the internet
most associated with these countries. are creating ever more complex 4 Mandarin and other
multilingual societies. Chinese languages
For the purpose of this exercise, regional
The top ten languages associated with 5 Spanish
or lesser-used languages have been
omitted. More detailed patterns of the UK’s current largest export markets
6 Italian
language use in business in different are shown in Table 3.
7 Swedish
countries have not been taken into
8 Russian
9 Arabic
10 Japanese
Chart 2: UK’s top export markets in 2012

Value (millions)
0 £9,000 £18,000 £27,000 £36,000 £45,000
United States 41,089
Germany 32,669
The Netherlands 25,204
France 20,213
Ireland 17,532
Belgium and Luxembourg 14,675
China 10,538
Spain 8,546
Italy 8,126
Switzerland 6,777
Sweden 5,772
Russia 5,587
Hong Kong 5,369
United Arab Emirates 5,364
Japan 4,922
Source: Office for National Statistics (2013) Publications Tables UK Trade February 2013: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm:77-279148
Note: This chart shows goods export figures from 2012. Equivalent figures for services in 2012 were not available at the time of publication. An analysis of 2011 services export
figures suggests that including services would not alter our list of top ten languages (shown on page 17 in this report).

The language needs of UK UK government future trade In part this adds further weight to German,
business (Indicator 2) priorities (Indicator 3) French, Dutch, Swedish, Spanish and
The second source of evidence used In its strategy for future international Arabic which have already been
in relation to the current language needs business engagement, Trade and mentioned above, but it also introduces
of business is the Confederation of British Investment for Growth, 21 the UK some new languages into the mix:
Industry’s 2013 Education and Skills government stresses the continuing Portuguese, Korean, Turkish and
Survey. 20 It reports that 70 per cent of importance of trade with existing Indonesian as well as the languages
responding businesses value language partners including the EU, mentioning of India and South Africa. All these
skills among their employees, particularly in particular Germany, France and languages have been treated equally
in helping to build relationships with Benelux, as well as the Nordic and Baltic and not put into any rank order.
clients, customers and suppliers. From countries. But it also mentions India,
this report the top ten languages most Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, the Gulf
in demand are shown in Chart 3. States, South Africa, Turkey and Indonesia.
Chart 3: Percentage of companies rating this language as useful to their organisation

0 20 40 60 80 100
French 49
German 45
Spanish 34
Polish 29
Mandarin Chinese 28
Arabic 16
Cantonese 16
Russian 13
Portuguese 13
Japanese 8
Source: Confederation of British Industry and Pearson (2013) Changing the Pace. CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2013.
12
Emerging high growth markets Table 4: High growth markets and their languages
(Indicator 4)
Country Language
Evidence was used from the joint CBI/
Ernst & Young publication Winning Argentina Spanish
Overseas, 22 which is explicit about the
Bangladesh Bengali
need for better language skills in order
to improve the UK’s export potential. It Brazil Portuguese
calls for a more strategic approach in
Chile Spanish
order to target high-growth markets in
less developed countries, citing not only China Mandarin and other Chinese languages
the so-called BRIC(S) countries but also
Colombia Spanish
the ‘Next 11’ identified by Goldman
Sachs and the ‘25 high growth markets’ Czech Republic Czech
set out by Ernst & Young. Combining the
Egypt Arabic
‘Next 11’ and ‘25 high growth markets’
produces the list of countries and Ghana English, plus Akan and others
associated languages shown in Table 4.
India English, Hindi, Gujarati, Panjabi, Urdu, Bengali and others
This listing introduces a number of
Indonesia Indonesian, Javanese and others
languages not yet mentioned, as well as
giving further weight to some of those Iran Farsi
already identified. Spanish and Arabic
Kazakhstan Kazakh
score particularly highly on this indicator.
Malaysia Malaysian
Making predictions for future economic
importance can be precarious, and Mexico Spanish
political events may intervene to change
Nigeria English, plus Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and others
expectations, as can be seen in Egypt,
in the time since this analysis was Pakistan Urdu
undertaken by the CBI and its partners.
Philippines Tagalog
For this reason a range of sources has
been used for this research to balance Poland Polish
the score. Russia Russian
An explanation of individual scores and Saudi Arabia Arabic
how points were awarded is provided
in the Appendix. South Africa English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and others
South Korea Korean
Taiwan Mandarin Chinese
Thailand Thai
Turkey Turkish
United Arab Emirates Arabic
Ukraine Ukrainian
Vietnam Vietnamese
21. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (2011) Trade and Investment for Growth.
22. Confederation of British Industry/Ernst & Young (2011) Winning Overseas: Boosting Business Export Performance.

Interim analysis of languages and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the A Eurobarometer survey carried out
needed for economic reasons Serious and Organised Crime Agency in 2012, 25 which interviewed 1,000
Combining the evidence from the four and the Government Communication adults across the UK, found that French,
economic indicators used, the languages Headquarters (GCHQ), among others. followed by Spanish, German, Chinese,
already most widely taught in the UK The report reflected the growing Italian and Russian, were regarded as the
education system (German, Spanish and importance now being given to language most useful languages to learn. However,
French) emerge as the most important competence within the FCO’s Diplomatic this survey only provided respondents
languages for UK trade. These are Excellence initiative, with specialist with a choice of six languages and is
followed by Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, knowledge of foreign states, languages, perhaps more indicative of past practice
Dutch and Portuguese, then Russian and peoples now explicitly acknowledged than future intent.
and Swedish, with Polish in tenth place. to be an important element of the British
The decision was taken to use the
diplomat’s skill set. It also made the case
Table 5: Languages needed availability of beginner courses for adults
that the national security agenda now
for economic purposes as an indicator of public interest in learning
encompasses conflict prevention and
particular languages, since such courses
peace-building, activities in which
Language Score can be provided on a more flexible basis
language assumes an important role.
than languages in schools or universities,
German 24 At the same time new linguistic skills
and reflect grassroots public interest,
are required to counter the growth of
French 23 rather than past practice. Research into
cybercrime, organised crime enabled by
Spanish 23
part-time evening courses 26 – selecting
the ease of global communications, and
those which do not lead to qualifications,
Arabic 15
terrorism. Although the British Academy’s
since formal qualifications are not
report did not seek to identify priority
Mandarin Chinese 15 available for all languages – shows that
languages, our review of its findings
Spanish is the most popular language by
Dutch 14 shows Arabic and Mandarin Chinese
this measure and the top ten languages
as the most frequently cited. These are
Portuguese 10 are shown in the table below.
followed by Spanish, Portuguese
Russian 9 and Farsi (Persian) as well as Korean, Table 6: Languages offered
Pashto and Turkish. A wide range as evening classes
Swedish 9 of other languages, including French,
German, Polish, Urdu and Vietnamese Languages most Number
Polish 8
frequently offered of
are cited as important.
as part-time evening pages
Details of the scores, evidence and
The public’s language interests classes across of web
rationale behind each indicator are the UK (without listings
(Indicator 6)
provided in the Appendix. qualifications)
This indicator seeks to represent
grassroots public demand for language Spanish 9
Cultural, educational learning in the UK, with the caveat
and diplomatic factors that demand is often conditioned
French 7
Italian 7
Diplomatic and security by the availability of courses, rather
priorities (Indicator 5) than vice versa. German 4
Japanese 3
For this indicator researchers drew Looking at A-level entries, it is evident
24
on a recent inquiry carried out by that Spanish, Polish, Russian, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese 2
the British Academy to establish Turkish, Portuguese and Mandarin Arabic 2
how languages are used by the UK Chinese are all increasing, but this may Polish 2
government in meeting public policy Portuguese 2
reflect populations of speakers of these
Russian 2
objectives in the areas of diplomacy and languages resident in the UK, rather
security. 23 The inquiry took evidence than wider public demand. Source: www.hotcourses.com
from organisations including the Foreign
23. British Academy (forthcoming) Lost for words. The Need for Languages in UK Diplomacy and Security.
We are grateful to the British Academy for allowing us access to a pre-publication copy of this report.
25. European Commission (2012) Europeans and Their Languages. Special Eurobarometer 386.
26. www.hotcourses.com
27. Populus/British Council (2013) (available on request from the British Council).
28. House of Commons library (2013) Tourism. Standard Note SN/EP/6022.
29. HM Government (2013) International Education: Global Growth and Prosperity.
14
Outward visitor destinations UK government international Interim analysis of languages
(Indicator 7) Education Strategy priorities needed for cultural, educational
Overseas visitor figures provide a good (Indicator 8) and diplomatic reasons
indication of interchange between In July 2013 the UK government published By combining evidence from the four
different countries and peoples, the its International Education Strategy, 29 indicators used in this section, the
sort of contact that people in the UK setting out the opportunities it sees following interim ranking of languages
typically experience with speakers as a result of demographic changes most needed for cultural, educational
of other languages. in rapidly emerging economies. This and diplomatic reasons emerges:
involves both attracting international
Research by Populus commissioned by Table 7: Languages for
students to the UK and supporting
the British Council 27 showed that 22 per cultural, educational and
transnational education. Although the
cent of British adults say they have paid diplomatic purposes
teaching and learning of English is an
more for goods or services as a result
important element of this strategy, Language Score
of not being able to speak the local
the government wants to demonstrate
language when overseas, 18 per cent Spanish 35
that the UK seeks to build relationships
report that they have stayed primarily
based on mutual respect and a two-way Arabic 20.5
in resorts – avoiding the local culture –
exchange of ideas and people.
when on holiday and eight per cent Portuguese 20
admit they have caused offence The International Education Strategy
on holiday as a result of a lack of French 18
identifies eight priority countries and one
understanding of the local culture. region as the primary focus of international Mandarin Chinese 16.5
education partnerships. These are China,
The most visited non-English-speaking Italian 16.5
India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Colombia,
countries by people from the UK in 2012
Turkey, Mexico, Indonesia and the Gulf. German 14.5
were (in descending order) Spain, France,
The languages involved are Chinese
Germany, Portugal, Greece, Poland Turkish 11
languages, Indian languages,
and Turkey. 28 Points have therefore
Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, Turkish Polish 7.5
been given to Spanish, French,
and Indonesian. The education sectors
German, Portuguese, Greek, Polish Farsi 7
in these countries are more likely to want
and Turkish in descending order.
to engage with those who can meet
Comparing this ranking with the top
Languages are also useful for providing them halfway and demonstrate mutual
languages required for economic
information and a warmer welcome respect and understanding by working
purposes, it is interesting to note that
to visitors to the UK. According to Visit in the language of the host country.
Italian, Turkish and Farsi have come
Britain, the largest inbound tourist markets
Four points were allocated each time into the list at the expense of Russian,
were France, Germany, The Netherlands,
a country was mentioned in the report Dutch and Swedish.
Spain, Italy, Poland and Belgium.
and this favoured Arabic and Spanish,
Details of the scores, evidence and
An explanation of individual scores and which are used in more than one of the
rationale behind each indicator are
how points were awarded is provided in countries mentioned.
provided in the Appendix.
the Appendix.
Balancing factors Table 8: English proficiency
The findings on economic and cultural/ Level of proficiency Countries relevant Languages
diplomatic needs have been qualified in English to this study concerned
with two further indicators: the degree
Very low Chile, Kuwait, Brazil, Spanish, Arabic,
to which populations in different countries
Egypt, UAE, Colombia, Portuguese
are able to speak English, and the
Saudi Arabia
extent of use of different languages
on the internet. Low Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Spanish, Indonesian,
Taiwan, Vietnam, Turkey, Farsi, Russian, Chinese
Levels of English proficiency in China, Qatar, Mexico languages, Vietnamese,
other countries (Indicator 9) Turkish, Arabic
The English Proficiency Index 30
Moderate Spain, Portugal, Japan, Indian languages,
benchmarks English proficiency in France, Italy French, German,
54 countries using a sample of just Spanish, Portuguese,
under two million people: Japanese, Italian
One point per language per country was High Belgium, Austria, Dutch, French, German,
allocated for those with only a moderate Germany, Poland, Polish, Malaysian
level of English, two points for those Singapore, Malaysia
with low proficiency and three points
Very high Sweden, The Netherlands, Swedish, Dutch,
for those with very low proficiency
Norway Norwegian
(see Table 8).
The prevalence of different Source: English Proficiency Index: www.ef.co.uk/epi
languages on the internet

(Indicator 10) Chart 4: Internet use by language
Chart 4, compiled from Internet World
Stats, shows that, although English is English
still the most dominant language on the
Chinese
internet, Chinese is running a close 18%
Spanish
second. Spanish and Japanese are the 27%
next most frequently used languages. Japanese
2%
Details of the scores, evidence and 3% Portuguese
rationale behind each indicator are 3% German

provided in the Appendix. 3%
Arabic
3%
French
4%
5% 24% Russian
8% Korean
Other languages
Source: Top ten internet languages: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm
30. English Proficiency Index: www.ef.co.uk/epi
16
The ten most important Table 9: The top ten languages
languages
language Score
Taking all ten indicators used in this
analysis into account, the ten languages Spanish 76
which emerge as the most important Arabic 54
for the UK are as set out in Table 9.
French 47
Details of the scores for different
languages appear in the Appendix Mandarin Chinese 45.5
along with an explanation of the German 43.5
evidence underlying each indicator.
Portuguese 41
The British Council commissioned a
survey from YouGov to find out to what Italian 22.5
extent the UK population was able to Russian 19
communicate in the languages identified.
Turkish 19
The results can be seen in Chart 5. It is
clear that considerable work needs to Japanese 17
be done to increase the UK’s language
capacity and this report offers a set of
recommendations to address the deficit. Chart 5: Language skills in the UK’s adult population
Question: Which, if any, of the following languages can you speak well enough
to hold a conversation? (Please tick all that apply)
Survey of language skills in the UK’s population (per cent)

100
90
80 75
70
60
50
40
30
20 15
10 6
4 3
2 1 1 1 1 0.43 0.43
0
None of these
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Arabic
Japanese
Mandarin Chinese
Russian
Turkish
Portuguese
Don't know
Source: Survey of 4,171 UK adults, YouGov. Fieldwork was undertaken 1–4 October 2013. The survey was carried out
online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

Other Languages destinations for visitors from the UK. a third of a million children. In Scotland,
The 2011 UK census revealed that Polish Urdu and Panjabi are second and third
Beyond the ‘top ten’ languages identified,
is now the third most widely spoken in importance respectively. 37 However,
there were four other languages, or
language in the UK after English and Indian languages are currently taught
groups of languages, which emerged
Welsh. With over 47,000 speakers, at the margins of mainstream education,
as important for the UK according
it is the fourth most widely spoken supported by families and local
to the indicators used in this report,
language by English schoolchildren communities. 38 Entry numbers at A-level
scoring above ten points each. These
with English as an additional language. 33 and at GCSE are small 39 and Indian
were Dutch, Polish, Indian languages
Among Scottish pupils it is the most languages are not widely available at
and Korean.
widely spoken language after English degree level in British universities. 40
The position of Dutch reflects the fact with more than 7,000 speakers. 34
Korean is spoken as a first language by
that The Netherlands is the second most
Indian languages are important some 78 million people and is the official
important non-English speaking goods
because of India’s position as the language of South Korea, North Korea
export market for the UK after Germany. 31
second most populous country in the and parts of China. South Korea is cited
Belgium, in which Dutch is an official
world and a growing economic power. 35 by the CBI 41 as one of the world’s fastest
language, is also an important trading
India is currently the UK’s 18th largest growing markets and important for the
partner. This accounts for the high
goods export market worth £4.6 billion UK’s economy over the next decade
demand for Dutch in job advertisements. 32
in 2012. Indian languages are widely and beyond. It was a very early adopter
Dutch people are the third most frequent
spoken in large minority communities of the internet and Korean usage currently
travellers to the UK of any non-English
in the UK. Department for Education accounts for two per cent of the global
speaking country.
statistics show Panjabi, Urdu and figures for internet use. 42 Korean is not
The status of Polish is based on Poland Bengali as the top three languages available in the UK either as a GCSE or
being identified as one of the world’s spoken by English schoolchildren with A-level subject.
rapidly growing markets and the fact English as an additional language. 36
that Poland is one of the top ten Together these account for more than
31. Office for National Statistics (2013) Publications Tables UK Trade February 2013: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm:77-279148
32. Anne Marie Graham (2013) Labour Market Intelligence Report – a Picture of the Jobs Market, Summer 2012 in British Academy/Teresa Tinsley,
The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK: www.britac.ac.uk/policy/State_of_the_Nation_2013.cfm
34. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011, Main Home Language?
35. Office for National Statistics (2013) Publications Tables UK Trade February 2013: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm:77-279148
37. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011, Main Home Language.
38. CILT, SCILT and CILT Cyrmu (2005) Community Language Learning in England, Wales and Scotland.
39. Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board (2012) ‘Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England – Languages Trends Survey’, CfBT Education Trust
40. British Academy/Teresa Tinsley (2013) The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK, British Academy:
www.britac.ac.uk/policy/State_of_the_Nation_2013.cfm
41. Confederation of British Industry/Ernst and Young (2011) Winning Overseas: Boosting Business Export Performance.
42. Top ten internet languages – Internet World Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm
Conclusion and
recommendations
This report argues that, while millions of people around the world are
learning English, the UK has fallen behind by not devoting sufficient
time, resources and effort to language learning.
The resulting language deficit, if not systems. The greatest gaps are perhaps policy relating to languages and
tackled, is a threat to our competitiveness, in Arabic and Mandarin Chinese, which international skills, as these have a
influence and standing in the world, both appear in the top five. However, direct impact on the UK’s prosperity
as well as to our citizens’ ability to play Portuguese and Turkish, also present and international influence.
a meaningful role in the global economy significant challenges for our education 3. Businesses should be encouraged
and an increasingly networked and systems and Italian, Russian and to invest in the development
interconnected world. Japanese also require increased effort of the linguistic skills in their own
to achieve a critical mass of speakers. organisations from which they
Our analysis has identified those
languages which are likely to be of The overall conclusion therefore, will benefit directly.
greatest importance to the UK in is not that people in the UK are 4. Policy makers should find effective
the next 10–20 years, based on a learning the wrong languages, but ways of utilising the vital language
range of criteria relating to both that the country needs to build and cultural skills of the UK’s diaspora
economic and non-economic factors. on its existing language learning and minority communities. This talent
Unsurprisingly, there is not a complete profile to include a wider range should be used to enable education
coincidence between the languages of languages and to enable far systems to increase opportunities to
needed for economic purposes and greater numbers of people to learn learn the ten languages identified here.
those required to build trust, deepen languages. This is crucial in order to 5. The teaching and learning of
international influence and cultural prevent the current deficit in linguistic languages should be enriched by
relationships, and keep our country skills from increasing and to enable the the inclusion of new languages in
safe. This analysis has identified ten UK to reap the economic and cultural the curriculum, and an increased
languages (Spanish, Arabic, French, benefits available to those who have focus on the need to understand
Mandarin Chinese, German, Portuguese, more than one language at their disposal. other cultures.
Italian, Turkish, Russian and Japanese)
We therefore recommend that: 6. Schools should fully exploit the range
which have the potential to add most
1. All four governments of the UK of free or funded resources available
value to the UK’s strategic interests.
should take a more strategic to support language learning, which
However, the survey commissioned by approach to language education are available locally, online or through
the British Council for this report shows policy, linking it to national international links. These include
that there is a low capacity in these key aspirations for international language assistants, exchanges
languages in the UK adult population. engagement in business, education and overseas trips, and international
and culture. Languages should be cultural institutes in the UK.
French, Spanish and German, the
UK’s first, second and third most held in the same high regard as
widely taught languages respectively, science, technology, engineering,
all appear in the top ten list, as do a and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
number of languages which have very 2. Government and business should
little representation in UK education work together to develop educational

7. Young people should be given 8. Policy makers and practitioners in 9. The 75 per cent of UK adults unable
opportunities to sample a range of the UK should establish wider and to hold a conversation in any of
languages and cultures during their deeper partnerships and co-operation the ten key languages should make
school career. They and their with foreign education and cultural efforts to learn the basics of at least
parents should also seek out more bodies in order to access resources one new language, as advocated
opportunities for language learning and support as well as to learn from by Speak to the Future’s 1000
outside school, and all students best practice in the teaching and Words campaign. 43
should receive appropriate advice learning of languages directly from
about the benefits of competence the countries in which the languages
in another language for work and are used.
adult life.
43. www.speaktothefuture.org/1000-words-challenge
20
Catriona Maciver is a Scottish designer working in
Scotland and India. Language has played a significant
role in her work throughout college and continues
to be an area of interest.
This poster was a response to a brief on language whilst studying at Central Saint
Martins College of Art and Design (University of the Arts, London). Using a quote by
Ludwig Wittgenstein, the poster shows how word order changes from one language
to the next, thus potentially changing the meaning. The reader can track the word
order in different languages by identifying which word each colour is assigned to.

Arabic
Arabic is a Semitic language. With over 230 million native speakers

and a further 100–200 million people across northern Africa and
western Asia for whom it is their second language, Arabic ranks as
the fourth most widely spoken language in the world. 44
Arabic has official status, sometimes Three per cent of internet usage International connections
as one of two languages, in many is conducted in Arabic. 45 The Middle
Arabic has emerged as one of the
places: Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, East and Africa are amongst the
priority languages for the Foreign
Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, fastest growing regions in terms of
and Commonwealth Office. It is their
Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, internet use. 46
intention to increase the number
Libya, Mauritania, Morroco, Oman,
of diplomats trained in Arabic by
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria,
Business benefits 40 per cent.
Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and
Yemen, and the Occupied Palestinian Six Arabic speaking countries appear Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia are popular
Territories. Many of these have low among the UK’s top 50 export market holiday destinations for tourists from
or very low proficiency in English. in goods, with a combined value to the UK though Arabic speaking
the economy of over £12 billion in countries have not been prioritised
Because of the common written
2012 – more than the value of UK for tourist links. The World Cup will be
standard form of the language and
exports to Spain, China or Italy. 47 The hosted by Qatar in 2022 and will attract
a shared cultural/religious heritage,
Gulf economies are booming as they large numbers of visitors. 49
most speakers regard all varieties
diversify away from oil and gas, open
of Arabic as forms of one language. In its international education strategy,
up their economies and bring down
In most Arabic-speaking countries, the UK government identifies both
barriers to trade and investment.
however, only those with a formal Saudi Arabia and the Gulf as priorities
Significant opportunities exist for
education are proficient in standard for the development of educational
British companies, particularly in
Arabic. Modern colloquial Arabic differs partnerships in response to the region’s
supporting the vast infrastructure
significantly from one region to another economic growth and expanding
work planned in the region.
and exists as a dialect continuum across political influence as well as its
the Arabic speaking region. Arabic Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United increasing interest and investment
script is also used in languages such Arab Emirates have all been identified in education. 50
as Farsi, Urdu and Pashto. by the Confederation of British Industry
as priority markets. 48 This is endorsed A number of UK universities have
Arabic is used as an official language established a campus presence in the
by the Department for Business,
of the United Nations, International region, specifically in the United Arab
Innovation and Skills.
Criminal Court, African Union, Arab Emirates. These include Heriot-Watt
League amongst others. and Exeter universities and the London
and Manchester business schools. 51
22
‘In my work, Arabic has enabled me to relate to contacts in
the Middle East and North Africa on their own terms. People
respect the fact that I have invested time and effort in their
language and culture. Knowledge of Arabic – I am far from
being fluent, but that’s not the point – helps understanding
what is going on around me.
At the personal level, Arabic allows me to feel at home in
Beirut and Baghdad, Damascus and Tripoli, and now in
Jerusalem. It means I can make lasting friendships. Since
I have no sense of direction, when I get lost while driving –
a frequent occurrence – I can ask passers-by for directions
and, on a good day, understand what they say!’
Vincent Fean, British Consul General, Jerusalem
Arabic in the UK Arabic was first offered as a GCSE subject Only one per cent of the UK’s adult
in 2002 with the number of entries rising population report that they speak Arabic
In 2010 there were some 20,000 Arabic
by 82 per cent to 3,236 in 2012, making well enough to hold a conversation. 57
speakers among London schoolchildren,
Arabic the eighth most popular language
making Arabic the sixth most commonly
at GCSE. 54
spoken heritage language in the capital. Further information
This number is increasing.5 2 A-level Arabic was also introduced Arab British Centre:
in 2002 and had 299 entries, rising
Approximately four per cent of English www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk
to 604 in 2012, making Arabic the
secondary schools teach Arabic,
tenth most popular language at A-level.
often as an extra-curricular subject.
Scottish examinations taken at school
It is also widely taught in the
level are not available in Arabic. 55
172 schools belonging to the
Association of Muslim Schools and Arabic is offered at degree level by
in the supplementary sector. 53 15 UK universities. 56
English words derived or adopted

from Arabic include:
ALGEBRA TARIFF
MAGAZINE SOFA
44. Ethnologue: www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size

46. British Academy (forthcoming) Lost for Words. The Need for Languages in UK Diplomacy and Security.
47. Office of National Statistics (August 2013) ‘UK Trade, June 2013’ in Statistical Bulletin; available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_318161.pdf
48. Confederation of British Industry/Ernst & Young (2011) Winning Overseas: Boosting Business Export Performance.
51. British Academy/Teresa Tinsley (forthcoming) The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK: www.britac.ac.uk/policy/State_of_the_Nation_2013.cfm
53. Teresa Tinsley (unpublished) The Teaching of Arabic language and culture in UK schools, British Council.
54. Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board (2012) ‘Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England – Languages Trends Survey’, CfBT Education Trust.
55. ibid.
56. British Academy/Teresa Tinsley (2013) The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK: www.britac.ac.uk/policy/State_of_the_Nation_2013.cfm
57. YouGov (October 2013) (available on request from the British Council).
Which language
Languages and
for the why 23
Future 23
French
français
French is a Romance language spoken by more than 70 million

people as their first language, although it is estimated that a
further 100–200 million people around the world speak French
as a second language.
French is the official language in France, of Islamic Cooperation, International Combined, France, Belgium and
Monaco, Gabon, Togo, Benin, Guinea, Labour Organisation, International Luxembourg account for nearly
Mali, Niger, and Ivory Coast. Olympic Committee, International £35 billion of British goods exports. 59
Telecommunications Union, Inter- French speaking countries are also
It is also an official language in Belgium,
parliamentary Union, Organisation a major source of imports into the
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon,
for Economic Co-operation and UK with France in fourth place. A
Canada, Central African Republic,
Development, African Union, Benelux, 2011 report from the Department
Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial
Common Market for East and South for Business, Innovation and Skills
Guinea, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar,
Africa (and other international African states that: the EU is likely to remain
Rwanda, Seychelles, Switzerland,
organisations), Council of Europe, the major market for British trade
and Vanuatu.
European Union, North Atlantic Treaty and investment over the medium term,
It is closely linked to other Romance Organisation and the Organisation for with Germany, France and Benelux
languages: such as Italian, Spanish and Security and Cooperation in Europe. countries likely to remain our most
Portuguese. Varieties of spoken French important trade partners. 60
In terms of internet usage, French is
can vary considerably and may be
currently the language of choice for 60 French is the language most sought
considered separate languages,
million users, making it the eighth most after by those employers looking for
e.g. Walloon spoken in Belgium.
widely used language on the internet. 58 language skills (49 per cent). 61 It was
French is an official language of many also the second most frequently
international organisations including requested language in a survey of job
Business benefits
the United Nations, International Criminal advertisements carried out by Graham
Court, World Trade Organisation, France is the UK’s third most important in 2012. 62 A survey carried out by
Universal Postal Union, Organisation non-English speaking export market. the British Chambers of Commerce
58. Top ten internet languages – World Internet Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

63. British Chambers of Commerce (2012) Exporting is Good for Britain – Skills.
67. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011. Main Home Languages.
69. Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board (2012) ‘Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England – Languages Trends Survey’, CfBT Education Trust. Scottish
Qualifications Authority (2013) National Course and Awards Result Statistics 2013.
70. ibid.
24
from French include:
DESIRE POWER
BEEF ANNUAL
ODOUR
of its members in 2012 revealed that: incoming tourists (3.8 million visits in It also has the greatest number of entries
French is the most commonly spoken 2012 spending £1.5 billion) with Belgium for GCSE and Scottish equivalent exams.
language, but only four per cent of also in the top ten with more than one At primary level French dominates with
business owners surveyed claim that million incoming visitors. 64 74 per cent of schools offering pupils
they are able to converse fluently tuition in French. 70
The English Proficiency Index rates
enough to conduct business deals. 63
France as a country with moderate It is the most frequent language offered
French is particularly useful as a lingua levels of proficiency in English. 65 for study at higher education across
franca in counties such as Algeria and all four nations of the UK, with a total of
Morocco or Vietnam and Cambodia, 70 universities offering degree courses
French in the UK
which have a low proficiency in English. in French. 71
French is the tenth most widely spoken
Fifteen per cent of the UK’s adult
community language in England 66 and
International connections population report that they speak French
in Scotland. 67 In London alone it is
well enough to hold a conversation. 72
French has long been a key language spoken by over 13,000 schoolchildren,
for diplomacy and remains an of whom more than two thirds are black
important language for the Foreign or non-white minority. 68 Further information
and Commonwealth Office.
In spite of the decline in student Institute Francais:
French is extremely important for both numbers opting to do languages at www.institut-francais.org.uk
inward and outward tourism. France school, French remains the language
Alliance Francaise:
is the second most popular destination most often studied at A-level and
www.alliancefrancaise.org.uk
for people from the UK travelling Scottish Highers with 40 per cent of
abroad and the UK’s biggest market for all advanced level language entries. 69
Kristin Scott Thomas is an English actress, most

famous for her roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral,
The English Patient and Philippe Claudel’s I’ve Loved
You So Long. While training to become a drama
teacher in London, she was told she would never be
a good enough actress and so she went to work as
an au pair in Paris aged 19. Speaking French fluently,
she studied acting at the École nationale supérieure
des arts et techniques du théâtre in Paris, and her
incredible career took off from there.
www.thirdyearabroad.com/advice-and-tips/celebrity-linguists/item/1339-kristin-scott-thomas-speaking-french.html

GERMAN
DEUTSCH
German is a West Germanic language. With over 110 million

native speakers, German is the tenth most widely spoken language
in the world.
German is also in first place in terms Business benefits competitiveness in capital goods. There
of numbers of native speakers in the is a considerable presence of German
Germany is the UK’s most important
European Union 73 with 24 per cent of companies in the UK following many
trading partner, its second biggest
the population giving German as their mergers and acquisitions between
export market in goods (worth £32
first language. There is considerable UK/German companies, e.g. Vodafone’s
billion in 2012) and also its greatest
variation between the spoken dialects purchase of Mannesmann in 2000.
source of imports. To these impressive
of German but a common standard
export figures can be added those of According to the 2013 Education and
of the language has official status in
Luxembourg and Switzerland (also in Skills survey by the Confederation
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium
the UK’s top ten export markets) and of British Industry, 77 German is the
and Luxembourg. German is also
Austria which boosts the UK’s exports second most sought after language
spoken in Alsace-Lorraine (France),
by £1.5 billion. 75 According to the in industry with 45 per cent of those
in Alto Adige (Italy) and in Liechtenstein.
Department for Business, Innovation businesses requiring languages citing
There are also about 1.5 million speakers
and Skills (BIS): The EU is likely to German as the language they most
of German in the United States as well
remain the major market for British needed. This is supported by many
as communities of German speakers
trade and investment over the medium other sources of labour market
in other parts of the world.
term, with Germany, France and intelligence which show German to
It is one of the working languages Benelux countries likely to remain our be the most frequently-requested
of the EU and an official language most important trade partners.’ 76 language in job advertisements. 78
of the Organisation for Security
BIS not only considers Germany the In spite of all the evidence for the
and Cooperation in Europe.
UK’s most important trading partner importance of the German speaking
German is the sixth most common and competitor but also an interesting markets for trade and the need
language on the internet, with more model for the development of the UK’s expressed by employers in 2012,
than 75 million users. 74 economy. One example of this is the the British Chambers of Commerce,
international focus of Germany’s small reporting in 2012, revealed that
and medium enterprises and their 57 per cent of exporting businesses
73. European Commission (2012) Europeans and Their Languages. Special Eurobarometer 386.
74. Top ten internet languages – world Internet statistics: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm
81. Teresa Tinsley and Kate Board (2013) Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England. Findings from the 2012 Language Trends survey, CfBT Educational Trust.
84. YouGov (October 2013).
26
‘As Deputy Director General of the CBI, I represent
the interests of British business in Europe. Knowing
German has proved essential: from the practical
necessity of conversing, or reading and understanding
documents, to the benefit of being able to build strong
and sustainable working relationships.’
Dr Neil Bentley
Confederation of British Industry Deputy Director-General
and Chief Operating Officer
Neil Bentley has A-levels in French, German and English, spent gap year working
on French campsites, studied French, German and European Politics and has a
PhD on German Industrial Relations.
had no one who spoke any German at German in the UK universities across the UK offering
all and only two per cent had any staff degree level courses (though there
The significance of German to business
with enough German to conduct have been some closures of German
and research does perhaps explain the
business deals. 79 departments in recent years). 83
concerns expressed from time to time
by policy makers and academics about Only six per cent of the UK’s
International connections the decline of German study in the UK. adult population report that they
speak German well enough to
Germany is the UK’s second most German used to be the second most
hold a conversation. 84
important market for inward tourism, widely taught language in the UK and
with three million Germans visiting the still retains this status in some parts of
UK in 2012, spending £1.2 billion. It is the UK. However, overall Spanish now Further information
also the seventh most visited country occupies second position. Goethe Institute:
for people from the UK travelling
German has seen declining entry figures www.goethe.de
abroad, accounting for 2.3 million visits
in 2012. During the Olympic Games in at GCSE/Scottish standard grade over
2012, Germany was the third biggest the last ten years. 81
source of overseas visitors, after the It is the third most widely studied
USA and France. 80 language at A-level/Scottish Higher
Germany is the world’s third largest level, but over the last decade it has
contributor to research and development, suffered from severe declines at this
making German particularly important level, too. 82
for scientific research and placing it in At the level of higher education, too,
second place after English as the most German remains the third most widely
important scientific language. offered language with more than 60
English words derived or adopted from German include:
KINDERGARTEN ZEITGEIST
WANDERLUST DELICATESSEN
SCHADENFREUDE

ITALIAN
ITALIANO
Italian is a Romance language. It has approximately

70 million first language speakers.
Regional varieties of Italian differ education and skills surveys carried 1.5 million visits from Italy to the
widely from the standard language, out by the Confederation of British UK accounted for about five per
with some varieties e.g. Sicilian being Industry, 86 other sources of labour cent of visits to the UK. 89
regarded by some as a separate market intelligence give Italian a higher
The English Proficiency Index rates
language. Italian is closely linked to profile. It is, for example, cited in the
Italy as a country with moderate
other Romance languages: such as 2012 British Chambers of Commerce
levels of proficiency in English. 90
French, Spanish and Portuguese. survey as one of the languages for
which there is a deficit with only one
Italian is the official language of Italy
per cent of businesses surveyed Italian in the UK
and parts of Switzerland. It is also used
reporting levels of Italian which were
by minority communities in a number Italian is a popular language in adult
good enough to conduct business
of countries including Malta, Libya, education and there are sizeable
deals leading to exports. 87 In research
Somalia, Slovenia, Croatia, as well as communities of Italian speakers in all
carried out in 2012, Italian appeared in parts of the UK though their numbers
by expatriate communities in the USA,
14 per cent of job advertisements for may be under-reported because the
UK, Argentina and Australia.
languages, making it the fourth most communities are so well established
Italian is an official language of the frequently requested language. It was and integrated.
European Union, the Latin Union a requirement particularly noted
and the Organisation for Security in the financial sector. 88 Italian is the seventh most popular
and Cooperation in Europe. language at A-level (coming after
French, German, Spanish, Mandarin
International connections
Chinese, Russian and Polish) but has
Business benefits
Italian is very important as a tourist fewer than 1,000 entries. This number
Italy is the UK’s ninth largest non-English language, both for incoming and of entries has remained steady over
speaking goods export market and in outgoing visits. Italy is the fourth the past five years in contrast to
2012 was worth more than £8 billion most popular destination for UK entry numbers for Mandarin Chinese,
to the UK economy. It is the UK’s tourists. In 2012, there were around Russian and Polish, which have
eighth largest source of imports. 85 2.6 million outgoing visits from the grown considerably. 91
UK to Italy. In the same year, the
Although Italian is not mentioned in
88. Teresa Tinsley (2013) The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK, British Academy: www.britac.ac.uk/policy/State_of_the_Nation_2013.cfm
28
from Italian include:
SOLO BALCONY
STUDIO MALARIA
UMBRELLA
At GCSE, Italian is the fourth language Italian is offered for degree level study Further information
after French, German and Spanish in some 40 universities in England,
Italian Cultural Institutes:
though the numbers of entries are very Scotland and Wales. 93
www.icilondon.esteri.it/
small (5,000 compared to 150,000 for
Only two per cent of the UK’s adult IIC_Londra (London)
French). However, whereas French and
population report that they speak Italian
German have seen significant declines www.iicedimburgo.esteri.it/
well enough to hold a conversation. 94
in entries of 24–25 per cent over a IIC_Edimburgo (Edinburgh)
five-year period, entries for Italian have
only dropped by seven per cent. At
school level interest in Italian is particularly
strong in the independent sector. 92
‘When I was inspired by the art and food of Italy

to study Italian for GCSE, I had no idea that my
eventual fluency in the language would transform
my career; it has propelled me towards so many
exciting opportunities! For example, as a bilingual
student, I was asked to edit the Sightseeing section
of Time Out’s Florence guidebook. Most importantly,
speaking Italian put me in a unique position to
leap at the new business opportunity I spotted!
My language and intercultural skills were invaluable
for starting my company; we have foreign clients,
a multilingual team, an international outlook.
On a personal note, I am much more resourceful
and independent, thanks to my year abroad.’
Lizzie Fane, Founder of ThirdYearAbroad.com

JAPANESE
Japanese is an East Asian language and the official language of

Japan. It is ranked ninth in the world with over 120 million speakers.
Although Japanese uses a number of Embassy in Tokyo, the value of the 100 who have based their European
different scripts and is usually written UK’s exports to Japan of goods headquarters in the UK. The UK is by
vertically beginning on the right, many and services combined was nearly far the biggest destination for Japanese
texts today are written horizontally to £10 billion in the same period. investment in Europe, and in 2012 Japan
allow for the inclusion of English words, was the second biggest investor in the
UK exports to Japan include chemicals,
Arabic numerals and mathematical UK after the US. Japanese owned
pharmaceuticals, automotive
and chemical formulas. companies currently employ more
components and cars, electrical
than 100,000 people in the UK. Nissan,
Japanese is the fourth most common machinery and scientific instruments.
Toyota and Honda account for 50 per
language on the internet with a share There are some 450 British companies cent of vehicle manufacturing in the
of five per cent. 95 operating in Japan including Rolls Royce, UK. The ICT and pharmaceutical/
GSK, AstraZeneca, BT, and Dyson. healthcare sectors are also significant
Business benefits Many British retailers and designers sources of investment, 97 while Hitachi
such as Burberry, Top Shop, Lush has recently invested in rolling stock
Japan is the world’s third largest and Paul Smith also have a presence manufacture and nuclear power.
economy and a significant contributor in Japan – for many it is their largest
to UK prosperity – both as an export market outside the UK. Success Japanese companies are highly
market and as a major investor. In in Japan can enhance a company’s innovative and Japan is the world’s
2012 the value of the UK’s imports in global competitive position second largest investor in research
goods was £8.5 billion, putting Japan and bring significant financial and and development. There are currently
in 13th place as provider of goods technological gains. around 6,000 Japanese research
to the UK. In the same period, exports scientists based in the UK and around
in goods to Japan were £4.9 billion, The UK benefits from Japan’s substantial 1,000 UK researchers working
making it the UK’s 15th largest export investment with some 1,400 Japanese in Japan. 98
market. 96 According to the British companies located in the UK, including

97. ibid.
98. ibid.
100. www.gov.uk/government/priority/increasing-business-with-japan
101. www.gov.uk/government/priority/working-with-japan-and-others-to-reduce-conflict and www.gov.uk/government/priority/pursuing-an-active-foreign-policy-with-japan
102. www.gov.uk/government/priority/uk-science-and-innovation-network-working-with-japan
103. Joint Council for Qualifications (2013) GCSE and Entry Level Certificate Results, Summer 2013.
105. British Academy/ Teresa Tinsley (2013) The State of the Nation. Demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK, British Academy:
30
from Japanese include:
KIMONO KARATE
SAMURAI GEISHA
KAMIKAZE
International connections Japan has also been identified as a Japanese can be studied to degree
priority in the UK Science and Innovation level in around 20 universities in
The English Proficiency Index rates Japan
Network, which promotes international England, Scotland and Wales. 105
as a country with moderate proficiency
collaboration in science, technology and
in English. 99 The UK government is Only one per cent of the UK’s
innovation by providing opportunities to
committed to supporting improvement adult population report that they
work with the best in the world, exchange
of English language teaching in speak Japanese well enough to
students and researchers, and gain access
Japanese education. 100 hold a conversation. 106
to large scale international facilities. 102
Japan continues to play an important
role in high level international fora and Further information
Japanese in the UK
as a major provider of development The Japan Foundation:
assistance. The Foreign and Just over 1,000 pupils took a GCSE
www.jpf.org.uk
Commonwealth Office considers in Japanese in 2013, which represents
Japan an important partner in matters an increase of about one third over Japan Exchange and
of climate policy; energy and resource ten years. 103 Teaching Programme:
security; the reform of financial www.jetprogramme.org/e/
The number of young people studying
institutions; counter-proliferation, Afghan introduction/index.html
Japanese to A-level in the UK is
reconstruction, and engagement very small with only 261 sitting the
in other regions of the world; and the examination in 2013. 104
tackling of cyber-attacks. 101
‘Speaking Spanish and Japanese has opened

doors in my career and helped me bridge cultural
differences, both in my personal and business life.
[…] During my football career I realised quickly
what difference language skills can make.’
Gary Lineker
Quoted on www.rosettastone.co.uk/blog/gary-lineker-supports-languages4schools

Mandarin chinese
Chinese refers to a group of Sino-Tibetan languages with collectively

over 1,200 million native speakers. Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua),
the language with official status in China, Taiwan, and Singapore,
is the most widely spoken in the world with 800 million speakers,
mostly in China.
Another Chinese language, Cantonese, a value of £10.5 billion in 2012 and continues to benefit from the growth
is spoken by about 45 million people its second largest source of imports, of China through increased exports
in China and is one of the most equivalent to £31.5 billion in 2012, and higher levels of inward investment
widely spoken languages of Chinese resulting in the largest trade deficit the by China.
communities outside China. UK has with any country in the world. 108
Since all Chinese languages share Thirty years of uninterrupted growth International connections
a common written form it is averaging ten per cent per annum
With the rapidly changing international
possible to refer to a single written has transformed China into the second
picture, languages such as Mandarin
Chinese language. largest economy in the world. Given
Chinese are becoming strategically
its rapid growth and status as a
Almost a quarter of internet usage important to the UK and internationally.
major emerging power, the business
is conducted in Chinese (24 per cent); Mandarin Chinese is one of the priority
opportunities and challenges in China
this makes it the second biggest languages for the Foreign and
are great. The UK is a top EU investor
language online after English. 107 Commonwealth Office and additional
in China and, in return, receives
diplomatic posts are being created in
Mandarin Chinese is an official valuable inward investment from China.
China reflecting its growing economic
language of the United Nations and The next two decades are likely to see
and strategic importance. The number
the International Criminal Court. a significant growth in demand from
of posts for Mandarin Chinese speakers
China’s rapidly growing middle classes
is expected to rise by 40 per cent. 109
for higher value-added goods and
Business benefits
services as well as a significant increase Tourism will become increasingly
China is currently the UK’s seventh in international activity by China’s major important as the travel patterns of the
largest export market in goods, with companies. It is important that the UK rapidly increasing middle classes in

110. UK Commission for Employment and Skills/Matthew Williams (2012) Sector Skills Insights: Tourism.
111. HM Government (2013) International Education: Global Growth and Prosperity?
112. British Council – Generation UK: www.britishcouncil.org/more/study-work-create/generation-uk
116. ibid.
120. www.hanban.edu.cn
32
English words derived or adopted from
various Chinese languages include:
TEA TYPHOON
KOWTOW
China change and the UK Commission Chinese in the UK Mandarin Chinese is available at degree
for Employment and Skills has stated level in around 30 universities in England,
In 2011, the Department for Education
that: ... understanding the desires and Scotland and Wales. 119
census revealed some 16,500 Chinese
motivations of Chinese and Indian
speakers (a distinction was not made China is keen to promote Mandarin
travellers will be fundamental to success
between varieties of Chinese) amongst Chinese and has established a worldwide
in these markets.1 10
English schoolchildren with English as network of Confucius Institutes to
By 2020, China will be one of four an additional language, putting Chinese promote its language and cultural studies.
countries accounting for over half of in twelfth place. 113 In Scotland, Cantonese The UK has 13 Confucius Institutes
the world’s population of 18–22 year is the fifth most widely spoken language as well as a network of school-based
olds making it a priority country for by pupils with English as a second Confucius Classrooms. 120
international education, not only because language (1,458) and Mandarin Chinese
Only one per cent of the UK’s adult
it has one of the largest education systems 11th with 527 pupils. 114
population report that they speak
in the world but also because it is expected
GCSE entries for Mandarin Chinese Mandarin Chinese well enough to
to send the most students abroad. 111
declined by 15 per cent from around hold a conversation. 121
The British Council provides an online 3,000 in 2008 to 2,500 in 2012 115 but
portal with information on study rose again in 2013. 116 Further information
opportunities and delivery programmes
Entries at A-level, however, have grown Confucius Institutes:
such as Generation UK, which promotes
rapidly to 3,425 in 2012 (an increase http://confuciusinstitutes-uk.net/main
study and internship opportunities in
of 25 per cent), making Mandarin Chinese
China. It aims to increase the number
the fourth most popular language after
of UK students going to China by 20
French, German and Spanish. 117 In
per cent to 15,000 over three years. 112
Scotland, entries for Chinese language
A number of UK universities have a exams have been growing from a very
campus presence in China including the small base. There were 66 entries for
universities of Nottingham and Surrey, Chinese Higher in 2013. 118
and Manchester Business School.
‘Learning Mandarin has been an incredibly exciting and

rewarding experience and has had a profound effect on
my life. Since beginning my Chinese studies at secondary
school, I had the opportunity to take part in several
Chinese language programmes organised by the British
Council and travelled to China many times. As part of my
degree, I spent a year in China studying Chinese at
Beijing Normal University which was a fantastic experience.
Having recently graduated with a degree in Chinese, I’ve
just moved to Shanghai for a new job in a consultancy
company. Learning Mandarin has played a vital role in
shaping my life.’
Nishat Ali, from Newham in London, was one of the winners of the first HSBC/
British Council Mandarin Chinese Speaking Competition in 2003. She went on
to study Chinese at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and now works
for CRCC Asia in Shanghai.
Portuguese
Português
Portuguese is a Romance language and has some 180 million first

language speakers, mostly in Brazil (over 90 per cent) and Portugal,
making it the seventh most widely spoken language in the world.
Portuguese is the official language, rapid growth with its economy forecast Brazil has been identified by the UK
not only of Brazil and Portugal, but to grow by four to five per cent per year government as a priority country for
of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, over the medium term. Although its international education. 125 Brazil is
Guinea-Bissau and São Tomé and growing middle classes are becoming keen to build further on their successful
Principe. It is also an official language increasingly important consumers programme of government-funded
in Timor-Leste. of higher value goods and services, scholarships entitled ‘Science
Brazil currently ranks 27th in terms of without Borders’ which places 10,000
Portuguese is closely linked to
the UK’s export market in goods, with undergraduate and postgraduate
other Romance languages: such as
Portugal 36th. Imports to the UK for students in the UK to study subjects of
French, Spanish and Italian. European
the same period had a value of £2.5 major importance to the development
Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese
billion from Brazil and £1.7 billion from of Brazil. This scheme will generate
differ to a certain extent, but are
Portugal, resulting in a slight trade over £200 million for the UK economy.
mutually intelligible. There are a number
surplus for the UK. 123 The UK Education Unit, along with a
of Portuguese-based creoles which are
number of UK organisations, is exploring
considered to be distinct languages. According to the Department for
new ways to respond to the growing
Business, Innovation and Skills: Brazil
Portuguese is used in the following demand for English language training
offers big opportunities notably in
international organisations: European in Brazil. 126
energy, services and science. But overall
Union, Organisation of Ibero-American
the bilateral trade and investment
States, African Union, Common Market
relationship is underdeveloped. 124 International connections
for Eastern and Southern Africa,
Economic Community of West African Opportunities for UK companies The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
States, Organisation of American States, are immense but UK businesses find has stated its intention to increase the
Southern African Development the Brazilian business environment numbers of diplomats trained in Latin
Community and the Union of South a challenge in terms of cost and American Spanish and Portuguese
American Nations. complexity. British investments by 20 per cent. 127
include oil and gas, mining and financial
Portuguese is the fifth largest language Portugal was the sixth most popular
services and there are opportunities
on the internet, with four per cent of holiday destination for outgoing
to build on the strong relationship
online usage. 122 tourists from the UK in 2011 with
between the London 2012 Olympic
1.9 million visits. 128
and Paralympic Games and Rio 2016
Business benefits Games. With Brazil the most cited The English Proficiency Index rates
science base outside the G8, there Brazil as a country with ‘very low’
Brazil is the seventh largest economy
are opportunities to capitalise on proficiency in English, and Portugal
in the world, accounting for 55 per cent
burgeoning UK–Brazil scientific as having ‘moderate’ proficiency. 129
of South America’s GDP and with
co-operation and collaboration,
significant regional importance in
including in the areas of
trade negotiations. As one of the world’s
pharmaceuticals and energy.
emerging powers, Brazil is experiencing
34
‘Some people learn languages for fun. The rest of us
are looking for a decent return on our investment.
Since only about ten million Brazilians have reasonable
English, with Portuguese under your belt you’ll stand
out. I did not choose Portuguese; it was thrust on
me by the offer of a job in São Paulo. But when I
think of my sons, now 12 and seven, one day being
able to write “fluent Brazilian Portuguese” on their
CVs, I feel a little smug.’
Helen Joyce, São Paulo Bureau Chief, The Economist
Portuguese in the UK There are no equivalent examinations Further information

for Portuguese in the Scottish
Portuguese is the eighth most commonly Instituto Camoes at various
education system.
spoken language among pupils in England universities in the UK:
having English as an additional language. Portuguese is not widely taught at degree www.instituto-camoes.pt
Figures from 2011 show that 22,660 level with only about 20 universities
Portuguese Embassy –
schoolchildren were speakers of across the UK offering degree courses. 134
education department:
Portuguese. 130 Portuguese is less
Less than one per cent of the UK’s http://portuguese-embassy.co.uk
common amongst pupils in Scotland. 131
adult population report that they /en/education.html
Although the number of young people speak Portuguese well enough to
Brazilian Embassy –
studying Portuguese to A-level is very hold a conversation. 135
Brazilian cultural contacts in the UK:
small (just 312 in 2012), this represents
www.brazil.org.uk/brazilintheuk
an 80 per cent increase in five years. 132
The number of pupils studying

Portuguese at GCSE is also small
(1,721 in 2012) and has increased only from Portuguese include:
very slightly in the past five years. 133
BANANA COBRA
CASHEW ZEBRA
MONSOON TEAK

124. ibid.
126. ibid.
127. British Academy (forthcoming) Lost for Words. The Need for Languages in UK Diplomacy and Security.
132. Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board (2012) Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England – Languages Trends Survey, CfBT Education Trust.
133. ibid.

RUSSIAN
Русский
Russian is a Slavic language. It ranks eighth in the world with 140–150

million native speakers, and is also spoken as a second language
by over 120 million people in Russia and the neighbouring countries
of Central Asia.
Russian has official status in Russia As one of the BRIC countries, Russia International connections
as well as in Belarus, Kazakhstan and has been identified as one of the
The increase in ethnic and regional
Kyrgyzstan. It is written in the Cyrillic four major world powers whose
conflicts in the post-Soviet era,
alphabet. Other languages using influence is growing fast. It is already
together with Russia’s role as a global
modified forms of the Cyrillic script the world’s sixth largest economy
economic power, has meant that
are Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian, and is projected to overtake Germany
Russian continues to be an important
Ukrainian and Belorussian. by 2030. 138 The Department for
language for diplomacy and security. 140
Business, Innovation and Skills has
Russian is an official language of the
commented, however, that the business The UK’s international education
United Nations, International Criminal
climate makes the country a difficult strategy identifies Russia as a key target
Court, Organisation for Security
market for exporters. 139 In spite of market for recruiting international
and Cooperation in Europe and the
the difficulties, British firms have students. Formal discussions are under
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
invested heavily in Russia and about way over the mutual recognition of
In terms of internet usage, Russian 600 UK companies were operating in qualifications but it is not expected that
is the eighth most commonly Russia in 2009. The fact that Russia this will be achieved for some time. 141
used language. 136 became a member of the World Trade
The English Proficiency Index
Organisation in 2012 will make future
rates Russia as a country with
trade and investment in Russia easier,
Business benefits low proficiency in English. 142
as will their membership of the
Russia is the UK’s 12th largest goods Organisation for Economic Co-
export market worth £5.6 billion in operation and Development.
2012. It is also the UK’s 14th most
important source of imports, with
imported goods from Russia valued
at £8.45 billion in 2012, resulting in
a substantial trade deficit. 137

138. Price Waterhouse Cooper (2013) The World in 2050. The BRICs and Beyond.
143. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011, Main Home Language?
147. ibid.
36
from Russian include:
VODKA TUNDRA
TSAR GLASNOST
APPARATCHIK
Russian in the UK an increase in numbers with entries for However, these figures make Russian
A-level having almost doubled in ten years. the ninth most popular foreign language
Although Russian is not in the top
It is likely that much of this increase is due at GCSE. 147
16 languages spoken by English
to Russian native speakers or speakers
schoolchildren with English as an Russian can be studied to degree
of other Slavic languages attending
additional language, it ranks eighth level in around 20 universities in
UK state and independent schools. This
in the Scottish pupil census (2011) 143 England and Scotland. 148
makes Russian the fifth most popular
and there is evidence that the number
foreign language at A-level. 145 Entry Only one per cent of the UK’s adult
of Russian speakers in the UK has
figures for Russian in the Scottish population report that they speak Russian
increased over the past decade.
examination system are very small, with well enough to hold a conversation. 149
Figures from London, for example,
36 students sitting the Higher in 2013. 146
show that the number of schoolchildren
speaking Russian has more than There were nearly 2,000 entries for Further information
trebled in the decade 1998–2008. 144 Russian GCSE in 2012. This also shows a
Russkiy Mir Foundation:
steady increase over ten years, again
In 2012 there were over 1,000 entries www.russkiymir.ru/russkiymir/en
probably due to the presence of pupils
for A-level Russian, making Russian one
who already know some Russian.
of the few languages which has seen
‘Deciding to learn Russian was probably the best

decision I ever made. Not only did it unlock the
door to a wonderful culture (reading Dostoevsky,
Chekhov and Pushkin in the original Russian still
gives me a buzz); it also meant I got the chance to
study there for two years and see a side of Russian
life which – because of the Cold War– was almost
unknown to foreigners. Being able to speak Russian
helped launch me into my first job at the BBC and
later into a career as a foreign correspondent,
reporting first hand on the collapse of the Soviet
Union, covering Washington politics, and travelling
the globe to report from war zones and diplomatic
summits, refugee camps and presidential palaces.’
Bridget Kendall, Journalist

SPANISH
ESPAÑOL
Spanish is a Romance language. It is the second most widely spoken

language in the world with approximately 400 million native speakers.
Spanish has official status in Middle East, Latin America is one of where local knowledge and customs
21 countries: Andorra, Argentina, the fastest growing regions in terms count. Mexico, for example, with a
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, of internet use. 151 population of 112 million and a
Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, growing middle class represents a
Equatorial Guinea, El Salvador, real opportunity for UK firms. Although
Business benefits
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, many Mexicans speak English, an
Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain is the UK’s eighth largest goods exporter who can speak Spanish
Uruguay, Venezuela, Spain and is also export market, valued at £8.5 billion will find it much easier to develop
an official language of Puerto Rico. in 2012. It is the UK’s tenth largest contacts and secure business. 156
source of goods imports valued at
Mexico has over 20 per cent of all first
£11.5 billion for the same period. 152
language Spanish speakers, while the International connections
USA, with 30–40 million native speakers With a combined population of
The British Academy publication, Lost
of Spanish, is the country with the over 221 million people, Argentina,
for Words, reports that the Foreign
largest Spanish speaking minority. Chile, Colombia and Mexico have all
and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is
been identified by the Confederation
Spanish is closely linked to other creating additional posts for speakers
of British Industry as upcoming
Romance languages: such as French, of particular languages in a number of
economies. 153 Management
Italian and Portuguese. The standard regions including Latin America to
consultancy PricewaterhouseCooper
language of Spain differs from South reflect the rise of emerging powers
projects that the Mexican economy
American varieties of the language and their economies. The FCO plans to
will overtake that of the UK by 2030. 154
but they are mutually intelligible. increase the number of British diplomats
The government recognises that trade
speaking Spanish (Latin American) and
Spanish is an official language of the relations with the economies of Latin
Portuguese by 20 per cent.
United Nations, International Criminal and Central America are currently
Court, World Trade Organisation, under-developed. 155 In 2012 Spain was the most popular
International Labour Organisation, destination for people from the UK with
Mexico is one of the most open
International Telecommunications Union, more than 11 million visitors. Tourists
trading nations in the world, with an
Latin Union, African Union, Central from Spain to the UK are the fourth
extensive network of bilateral trade
American Common Market, European largest non-English speaking group
agreements. The CBI has pointed to
Union, Mercosur, North American Free after visitors from France, Germany
Mexico’s disproportionately low
Trade Agreement, Organisation for and the Netherlands. 157
share of the UK export market and
Security and Cooperation in Europe,
highlighted the opportunities there Mexico has been identified as a key
Organisation of American States and
for British firms, particularly if they target market for incoming international
the Union of South American Nations.
can operate in Spanish: students and as a priority country
With eight per cent of usage, Spanish for international education. 158 The
Our perceived ambivalence towards
is the third biggest language of the government is currently working
foreign languages is seen increasingly
internet. 150 Along with Africa and the with the education sector to develop
as a limitation in a global marketplace
proposals for a centre of excellence
38
‘I did French and Spanish at university because I wanted to be
a UN interpreter and these were two of the official languages.
My career plans changed but Spanish has always opened doors
for me. After the coup in Chile in 1973, I helped to set up the
Chile Solidarity Campaign and was Mrs Allende’s interpreter
when she came to London. Much more recently, I managed to
convert my Castellano into Peruvian Spanish and spent some
time in Lima for VSO as a parliamentary volunteer, working
with NGOs on violence against women, and with British
companies in Peru on CSR.’
Baroness Coussins, Vice-President of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and
Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages
providing initial teacher training and Spanish is the second most popular Further information:
in-service professional development language at GCSE with more than
Instituto Cervantes:
to be based within a leading university 66,000 entries in 2012. In Scotland
http://londres.cervantes.es/
in the region. the number of entries for Spanish
en/default.shtm
in all school level examinations has
continued to grow. 162
Spanish in the UK
According to 2011 figures from the Spanish is also now the second most
Department for Education, there were popular language at A-level after French,
more than 13,000 speakers of Spanish having overtaken German in 2005.
in English schools, making Spanish the With more than 7,600 entries in 2013,
14th most commonly spoken language it is the only major language to buck the
by schoolchildren with English as an trend of year on year decline. 163 from Spanish include:
additional language. 159 In Scotland, Spanish is offered at degree level by more
Spanish ranks as tenth in importance. 160 than 70 universities across the whole of CARGO PATIO
JUNTA PLAZA
There are, however, indications that the UK and has seen fewer departmental
these numbers are growing. According closures than other languages. 164
to Eversley et al., the number of
Spanish-speaking schoolchildren in Only four per cent of the UK’s TORNADO
London grew by 57 per cent in the adult population report that they
period 1998 to 2008. 161 speak Spanish well enough to
hold a conversation. 165

153. Confederation of British Industry/Ernst and Young (2011) Winning Overseas: Boosting Business Export Performance.
154 Price Waterhouse Cooper (2013) The World in 2050. The BRICs and Beyond.
156. CBI/Ernst and Young (2011) Winning Overseas : Boosting Business Export Performance.
160. National Statistics (2011) Pupils in Scotland 2011. Main Home Languages.
162. Teresa Tinsley and Kathryn Board (2012) ‘Language Learning in Primary and Secondary Schools in England – Languages Trends Survey’, CfBT Education Trust. Scottish Qualifications
Authority. Annual Statistical Report tables.

TURKISH
TÜRKÇE
Turkish is a Turkic language and has an estimated 50–60 million

native speakers. It is the official language of Turkey and also an
official language in the Republic of Cyprus.
Turkish belongs to a homogenous UK Trade and Investment also supports speaking destination. Interestingly,
group of about 20 languages, a number of formal ministerial bilateral those travelling to Turkey tend to spend
which are for the most part mutually economic and trade dialogues with longer there than those who visit
intelligible. 166 The group includes key emerging and high growth markets, European countries closer to home. 171
Azerbaijani, Turkmen, Uzbek, including Turkey. The aim of these
The English Proficiency Index ranked
Kazakh and Kirgiz. dialogues, which also involve
Turkey as a country with low proficiency
businesses from both countries, is to
in English. 172
strengthen the economic, industrial
Business benefits
and commercial ties between the UK
Turkey currently ranks 21st in terms and the markets in question and to look Turkish in the UK
of the UK’s most important export at the barriers to trade between them.
With nearly 20,000 speakers in
market in goods, with exports worth
2011, 173 Turkish is the 11th most
£3.7 billion in 2012. In the same year
International connections frequently spoken language by
UK imports from Turkey totalled
English schoolchildren with English
£5.8 billion making Turkey the UK’s In the British Academy’s Lost for Words
as an additional language. Turkish
19th most important source of report, Turkish is mentioned as one of
does not appear in Scottish school
goods imports. 167 the languages required for diplomacy
census records. However, in London
and security. 170
Turkey has been identified as having it ranks as the seventh most frequently
the potential to join the group of Turkey has been identified as an spoken additional language among
the world’s largest economies important target market for incoming schoolchildren, with numbers rising
in the course of the 21st century. 168 international students and a priority by about seven per cent over the
According to the Department for country for international education. last decade. 174
Business, Innovation and Skills, the
Turkey features in the top ten preferred At GCSE there were 1,379 entries for
government aims to double its
destinations by UK tourists, and is the Turkish in 2012, showing only a very
trade with Turkey and to support
seventh most popular non-English slight increase from 1,189 in 2003. 175
its accession to the EU. 169
166. K Katzner (1986) Languages of the World, The Guernsey Press.

168. PricewaterhouseCooper (2013) The World in 2050. The BRICs and Beyond.
40
from Turkish include:
BALACLAVA YURT
YOGHURT KIOSK
BERGAMOT
Although the number of entries at Less than one per cent of the UK’s adult
A-level for Turkish is small, the numbers population report that they speak Turkish
have grown from 276 entries ten years well enough to hold a conversation. 178
ago to 419 in 2013. 176
Turkish can be studied to degree level Further information

at four universities in England, but not
Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Centre:
in the other UK nations. 177 There are
http://yee.org.tr/ingiltere-londra/
no Scottish equivalent examinations en/homepage
for Turkish.
‘Growing up in Istanbul in the 1960s and 1970s,

we were passionately interested in western culture.
But western culture was blind and deaf to us. What
I wanted to do most with my Turkish was act as a
conduit to destroy that one-way mirror and initiate
a two-way conversation to enrich us all.’
Maureen Freely
Maureen Freely was born in the US, grew up in Turkey and has lived in the UK for
most of her adult life. She is an author, lecturer at Warwick University and translator,
particularly well-known for her translations of Orhan Pamuk’s books into English.

Appendix
Matrix of language indicators weightings and scores
LANGUAGES TOTAL Indicator 1: Indicator 2: Indicator 3: Indicator 4:
Current UK The language UK government Emerging high
Export Trade needs of UK trade priorities growth markets
business
Spanish 76 6 8 5 4
Arabic 54 2 5 5 3
French 47 8 10 5
Mandarin Chinese 45.5 7 6 2
German 43.5 10 9 5
Portuguese 41 2 5 3
Italian 22.5 5
Russian 19 3 3 3
Turkish 19 5 1
Japanese 17 1 1
Dutch 14 9 5
Polish 15.5 7 1
Hindi/Indian languages 12 5 2
Korean 12 5 1
Farsi (Persian) 10 1
Swedish 9 4 5
Indonesian 7 1
South African languages 6 5 1
Cantonese 5 4 1
Pashto 4
Vietnamese 3.5 1
Greek 5
Urdu 1.5 1
Akan/Ghanaian 1 1
languages
Bengali 1 1
Czech 1 1
Kazakh 1 1
Malaysian 1 1
Tagalog 1 1
Thai 1 1
Ukrainian 1 1
Yoruba/Nigerian languages 1 1
Total 498 55 55 55 35
42
Indicator 5: Indicator 6: Indicator 7: Indicator 8: Indicator 9: Indicator 10:
Diplomatic The public’s Outward visitor UK Government’s Levels of English The prevalence
and security language destinations international proficiency in of different
priorities interests education strategy other countries languages on
priorities the internet
7 10 10 8 9 9
9.5 3 8 14 4.5
0.5 8.5 9 1.5 4.5
9.5 3 4 4 10
0.5 7 7 0.5 4.5
7 3 6 4 4 7
8.5 8 1
0.5 3 2 4.5
4 3 4 2
6 1 8
0.5 3 4
4 1
4 2
7 2
4 2
0.5 2
0.5
55 55 52 36 46 54

As has been made clear in the body of points in time, may regard alternative economic factors (indicators 1–4),
this report, the aim is not to provide a indicators as more appropriate. However, 198 relate to diplomatic and cultural
definitive answer to the research question, for the purposes of the transparency factors (indicators 5–8), and 100
but rather to stimulate debate and more of this report, the following explanatory relate to qualifying indicators (9–10).
strategic thinking. The choice of indicators notes are provided.
The evidence base and the rationale for
and the weight given to each is inevitably
We have worked with a total of 498 the allocation of points for each indicator
somewhat subjective. Others, from
points, of which 200 relate to pure is given below.
different perspectives and at different
Indicator Evidence base Scoring
1. Trade Figures for 2012 published The languages of the top ten non-English speaking export markets have
by Office for National Statistics. 179 been awarded a total of 55 points, starting with 10 for the most important
(German), 9 for the next (Dutch), and so on.
2. Languages rated as useful A total of 55 points have been awarded, starting with 10 for language
according to the CBI Education regarded as most useful (French), 9 for the next most useful (German) etc.
and Skills survey 2013. 180
3. Languages of countries targeted A total of 55 points have been awarded, without any rank order (as none
in the Government’s Trade and exists in the document). The languages of countries mentioned have each
Investment for Growth report (2011). 181 been allocated 5 points.
4. Languages of countries to be A total of 35 points have been shared among the languages involved,
targeted to improve the UK’s export as follows. Each language receives 1 point per country mentioned in the
performance, according to the report (e.g. Spanish receives 4 points, one each for Argentina, Chile,
CBI/Ernst & Young report Winning Colombia and Mexico) except the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and
Overseas (2011). 182 China), who have been awarded 3 points to reflect their size and special
economic importance. Of these, in the case of China, 1 point is given for
Cantonese and 2 for Mandarin Chinese. Only 2 points have been given
to India, to reflect the status of English.
5. Languages most needed in UK Languages were placed in order according to the number of times they
diplomacy and security, as derived were mentioned in the report. A total of 55 points was shared among the
by us from the British Academy’s top ten languages mentioned. Arabic and Mandarin Chinese, which shared
Lost for Words report. 183 top place, were given 9.5 points each Spanish, Portuguese and Persian,
which shared third place, were given 7 points each. Korean, Pashto and
Turkish were given 4 points each and half a point was given to a range of
other languages mentioned in the report.
6. Languages in which there is grass Languages were put in order according to the number of courses on offer
roots public interest in learning, and the top ten were allocated points according to their place in the table.
as measured by the existence of French and Italian tied in second place (after Spanish). Courses in Mandarin
part-time evening classes. 184 Chinese, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese and Russian were found in similar
numbers, so each of these languages was allocated 3 points.
7. Languages associated with countries A total of 52 points was shared among the top eight languages associated
that receive the most visitors from with the countries involved, with the top scoring language being Spanish.
the UK. Figures from the International Only eight languages were identified because of the presence of the USA
Passenger survey 2012. 185 and Ireland among the top ten countries.
8. Languages of countries targeted A total of 36 points was shared among the nine countries mentioned in the
in the government’s International report, and these points were then allocated to the languages associated
Education Strategy (2013). 186 with these countries.
9. Languages spoken in countries A total of 46 points were shared between countries which had already been
with lower levels of proficiency mentioned in connection with other indicators in this research. Countries
in English, as measured by the with only a moderate level of proficiency in English were allocated 1 point,
English Proficiency Index. 187 those with low proficiency were allocated 2 points, and those with very
low proficiency 3 points. These points were then allocated to the languages
associated with these countries. (Switzerland’s single point was shared
between French and German.)
10. Presence of languages on the internet The nine languages other than English mentioned in this source were put
as measured by Internet World Stats. 188 into order according to their relative presence on the internet, and a total
of 54 points shared between them, starting with ten points for Mandarin
Chinese, the most widely used language after English.
44
We are grateful to the British Academy for allowing us access to a pre-publication copy of this report.
184. www.hotcourses.com
188. Top ten internet languages – World Internet Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm
IMAGE CREDITS
Front cover © Shutterstock
Page 5 © Jiang Xin
Page 9 © Mat Wright
Page 12 © iStockPhoto
Page 15 © Mahmoud Zayyat,
AFP, Getty Images
Page 18 © iStockPhoto
Page 20 © Mat Wright
Page 21 © Catriona Maciver, Acknowledgements
http://catrionamaciver.com
Languages for the Future is published by the British Council
Page 25 © Dave J Hogan,
Getty Images Editor: Mona Lotten
Page 31 © Nick Harvey, Series Editor: John Dubber
WireImage, Getty Images Other Contributors: Anne Bostanci, Mark Moulding
ISBN 978-0-86355-722-4
9 780863 557224
ISBN 978-0-86355-722-4
© British Council 2014 Brand and Design / D107

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Languages for

We are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter. A publically-funded grant-in-aid provides

Languages for the Future 1

On a poster on the wall in a university in Beijing, I recently read these

I am proud to work for an organisation unable – to travel, explore, navigate

It is a widely held – if not undisputed – • Businesses, in that they should

Languages for the Future 3

Languages are the bedrock of the world’s cultural heritage.

1. David Crystal (2000) Language Death, Cambridge University Press.

848 406 335 260 223 203 193 162 122 84

Spanish Hindi Portuguese Russian Javanese

Mandarin Chinese English Arabic Bengali Japanese

Source: Ethnologue: www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size

Languages for the Future 7

Table 1 shows a ranking of the top 15 Indonesia Spain

consumption, investment and the

Chart 2: UK’s top export markets in 2012

0 £9,000 £18,000 £27,000 £36,000 £45,000

United States 41,089

The Netherlands 25,204

Belgium and Luxembourg 14,675

Hong Kong 5,369

United Arab Emirates 5,364

Languages for the Future 11

Chart 3: Percentage of companies rating this language as useful to their organisation

South Korea Korean

Taiwan Mandarin Chinese

United Arab Emirates Arabic

Languages for the Future 13

The prevalence of different Source: English Proficiency Index: www.ef.co.uk/epi

languages on the internet

rationale behind each indicator are 3% German

Source: Top ten internet languages: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

30. English Proficiency Index: www.ef.co.uk/epi

Survey of language skills in the UK’s population (per cent)

Languages for the Future 17

Languages for the Future 19

Languages for the Future 21

Arabic is a Semitic language. With over 230 million native speakers

English words derived or adopted

44. Ethnologue: www.ethnologue.com/statistics/size

French is a Romance language spoken by more than 70 million

58. Top ten internet languages – World Internet Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

Kristin Scott Thomas is an English actress, most

Languages for the Future 25

German is a West Germanic language. With over 110 million

English words derived or adopted from German include:

Languages for the Future 27

Italian is a Romance language. It has approximately

‘When I was inspired by the art and food of Italy

Languages for the Future 29

Japanese is an East Asian language and the official language of

95. Top ten internet languages – Internet World Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

‘Speaking Spanish and Japanese has opened

Languages for the Future 31

Chinese refers to a group of Sino-Tibetan languages with collectively

107. Top ten internet languages – Internet World Stats: www.internetworldstats.com/stats7.htm

‘Learning Mandarin has been an incredibly exciting and

Portuguese is a Romance language and has some 180 million first