But which languages will be most important for the UK? And how well is the UK equipped to meet the current and future language need?įive languages top the list: Spanish, Mandarin, French, Arabic and German Speaking another language is not just about facilitating a basic transaction it deepens cultural understanding and opens doors to international experience and opportunity. The ability to communicate in more than one language is central to this. International and intercultural awareness and skills are crucial for the UK’ success on the world stage yes, but also in enabling the UK’s next generation to play a meaningful role in the global economy and in an increasingly networked world. The extent to which we can do this in the long term depends greatly on the ability of our young people to understand and connect with people around the world.
We will need to reach out, within and beyond Europe, to maintain and improve our economic position, to build trust, strengthen our international influence and cultural relationships, and to keep our country safe. The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will fundamentally change its relationships with the countries of the EU, and with the rest of the world. The UK’s urgent need for international skills Insight’s Alice Campbell-Cree explains the findings. November 2017 A new report looks at the state of British foreign language learning and the priority languages for the UK’s future.