British Lagging Behind Europe's Multilingual Labour Force


Released on: June 02, 2012, 2:46 am
Author:
Industry: Education

LONDON, -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- Language school UIC Languages is calling for a nationwide effort to get British workers speaking a second language. The push comes after figures reveal that almost a million UK businesses are losing out lost to European competitors because they can’t find enough good quality graduates who speak European languages.

'Where do you imagine it’s likely the recruitment will be for graduate jobs – a German or French or Italian who speaks English fluently as well as their own language or an English graduate who doesn’t speak anything except English?' asked a spokesperson for UIC Languages.

Since languages were made non-statutory by the last government in 2004, the number of students taking language GCSEs has been steadily declining – falling from 61 per cent in 2005 to 44 per cent in 2010.

The result, according to the UIC spokesperson, is that: 'British graduates don’t see the need to bother' – a fatal mistake in the current economic climate. As well as multilingualism being an aid to business communication and an indicator of a person's internationalist outlook, 'employers see the ability to learn a second language as good in itself.'

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About UIC Languages
Since establishing itself in the heart of London over a decade ago, UIC Languages has expanded to become one of the city's most important foreign language schools. An average 300 students attend classes every week, studying popular languages such as German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Arabic, French, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.

For students seeking Spanish lessons Liverpool and other UK cities may be more convenient places to learn. In this case, UIC's national network of teachers can help – whether it's visiting a company premises or one-to-one teaching in the student's own home. Find out more on our Spanish courses here.

In addition to UIC London, the award-winning organisation also includes divisions specialising in residential vacation courses for teenagers and children, and a facility dedicated to finding jobs for language teachers around the world. In 2011 alone, the school was recognised for its innovation in language teaching by the British Council, as well as receiving the Star English Language School in Europe award from the Language Travel Magazine.


Contact Details: UIC Languages
http://www.uiclanguages.com/
Language House, 76-78 Mortimer Street
London
W1W 7SA
London
United Kingdom
Tel. +44 (0) 020 7079 3333