Foreign Language Learning in Britain

In our world with a vastly growing, global economy, communication is becoming more important than ever. When it comes to communication, the differences in language can often be problematic. English happens to be the most international language, as it is spoken in all corners of the world and this should seem to be enough for us all to be able to understand one another. The problem is that this is not always the case. Many countries where the majority of the population speaks English as their first language might have a problem when it comes to learning foreign languages. Three different articles are discussing this very issue.

The first article is written by Will Hutton and was published on the website of “The Observer”, a British Sunday paper. Will Hutton criticises the British people’s inability to speak foreign languages. Mr Hutton explains that English speaking countries’ cultures have a way of keeping to themselves. This is a pity because people may find a delight in being able to go beyond the “cultural cage” they are born in. Will Hutton is annoyed with the people that blame Britain’s declining economy on immigrants and see isolating themselves as the best solution to their problems. The British people were once used to being the greatest power in the world and some may still feel that they are because of their language’s worldwide popularity. Therefore speaking another language does not seem like a necessity and many people are too lazy to take the time to learn. This is all the true reason for Britain’s waning economy, according to Will Hutton.