Loading ...The biggest language exhibition in the UK is about to open – thelanguageshow.co.uk - and in advance there has been plenty of discussion in the press about the value of having a languages degree. As you might know the numebrs of school children in the UK studying foreign languages has continued to drop year on year since the mid 90s and several university departments are threatened with closure. Ironically this is at the same time as a change to the governments curriculum ideals are now making it virtually compulsory to study a foreign language if you want to get the English Baccalaurate (a qualification awarded at age 16) and so there might even be an increase in teaching jobs for modern langauge teachers. Whatever happens in schools emplopyers still seem to value graduates with language degrees – or certainly those who can use a foreign language. The University of Southampton has started to collect reasons for learnign languages and so far has 700. You can find them on this link – http://www.llas.ac.uk/700reasons and then search thorugh the various reasons. One of the biggest sections is on employability and there you will find such reasons as: Companies which buy and sell food products all over the world need people with the ability to speak other languages and a knowledge and understanding of other lifestyles and The ability to function in a new linguistic cultural environment is a skill highly prized by international employers, many of whom will not consider graduates without experience of living and working outside their native land. Interestingly each reason is referenced so you will be able to see where the evidence for the claim has come from. Even with some of the more unusual claims you can at least look at some evidence – for example with the idea that it is good for your health, “Learning a second language “boosts” brain power, scientists believe” Reference: BBC (2004) (citing research from University College, London). Whatever is true you will certainly find that studying a language at UIC in London is going to improve at least one aspect of your life!
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