Home > News > September 2005 > 26-Sep-2005

Survey finds the UK a nation of language lovers

A new survey commissioned by learning provider Rosetta Stone reveals that the UK is a nation of language lovers who lack the time to learn and have been put off by past learning experiences.

According to the survey 100% of respondents had tried to learn a foreign language, however 58% were unsuccessful and 40% complained of poor quality language teaching at schools.

After compulsory language education in school, evening classes ranked as the most popular method of learning. However, of the 40% of respondents that had enrolled, 52% failed to complete their courses, blaming time constraints. Others complained of overcrowded classrooms and too much homework. Whilst significant numbers of those surveyed had used phrase books (25%) and/or language CDs/tapes (23%) as learning methods, only 2% had tried online learning.

The main motivations for wanting to learn a foreign language were for personal development (58%); in preparation for overseas travel (30%) and for career enhancement, which was cited by 24% of respondents. In addition, 12% were keen to be able to converse with relatives in their native tongue.

Spanish is the most desirable language to learn according to 45% of respondents, overtaking French (31%) despite it being the most commonly taught language in schools according to the DfES. Surprisingly, less commonly used languages such as Polish and Swedish each received 1% of respondents’ votes, and 4% of those surveyed expressed an interest in joining an estimated 873 million others to speak the most widely used language in the world – Mandarin.

The survey found that many respondents simply wanted to be able to learn simple phrases - asking for directions or querying a bill or taxi fare were high on the wish list. However, the most desirable phrase listed by 57% of respondents was the ability to order a drink in their chosen language.

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