In their recent report, Languages: The State of the Nation, the British Academy has warned of a "vicious circle of monolingualism" despite rising global demand for language skills: as too few UK students are studying too narrow a range of courses at university. The report, released on 14 February 2013, cautions that with the introduction of tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year, students may be put off four-year language degrees because they are too expensive.
Business and public sector organisations are already using a much wider range of languages in their operations than is being taught. Recent National Employer Skills Surveys indicate that 17% (2009) and 27% (2011) of vacancies in administrative and clerical roles went unfilled due to shortages in foreign language skills.
At the same time, applications for undergraduate language courses have falled for the second year in a row: the number of undergraduates accepted on to European language courses at UK institutions fell by 11.1% in 2012-13, according to UCAS, and for non-European languages, the figure was down 13.9%.
The report provides strong evidence that the UK is suffering from a growing deficit in foreign language skills at a time when global demand is expanding, and makes the case for bridging the gap between the education and employment sectors – arguing that a weak supply of language skills in the job market is pushing down demand and creating a vicious circle of monolingualism.
Languages: The State of the Nation presents both a longitudinal perspective on the UK’s supply of graduates with high language competencies into the labour market and future-scoping of emerging strategic needs. It highlights a ‘vicious cycle of monolingualism’, which in turn is causing market failure in the demand and supply of skilled linguists across all sectors of the UK economy. It was produced by Teresa Tinsley of Alcantara Communications, who is also a member of ALL’s Executive Council.
Research says dire foreign language skills are contributing to UK market failure: the British Academy highlights the UK’s continuing market failure in language learning in their comprehensive review.
Languages: The State of the Nation: Review of the demand and Supply of Language Skills in the UK: download the Summary Report and the Full Report.
Foreign tongues aren’t wagging: Times Higher Education report.