英國青少年外語能力在歐洲墊底

最近一項研究顯示，英國青少年的外語能力在14個歐洲國家中排名最後，被指陷入 “單一語言主義的惡性循環”。此次研究對14個歐洲國家青少年的第一外語閱讀、寫作和聽力能力進行了測試。結果顯示，法語爲第一外語的英國青少年中只有11%能夠用法語寫作，在歐洲各國中排名最後；而在法語閱讀能力排名靠前的青少年中，英國只佔9.2%，依然排在最後。此次測試中，外語閱讀、聽力和寫作能力俱佳的學生來自於瑞典、馬耳他以及荷蘭。英語作爲第一外語的法國學生表現也不佳，位列倒數第二。英國社會科學院副院長表示，語言不但在教育健康發展和科研中起到關鍵的作用，對英國的競爭力、個人以及整個社會也很重要。英國社科院發佈的一份報告稱，目前英國只專注於法語、西班牙語和德語等三門外語的學習已不足以滿足其全球經濟往來的需求，普通話、阿拉伯語及俄語等語言也要加入進來，土耳其語、波斯語和波蘭語等也不能忽視。去年，英國政府首次宣佈強制政策，要求所有小學從兒童7歲時開設一門外語課，這一政策將從明年起開始實施。目前，英國有十分之一的小學沒有開設外語課。

British teenagers are trapped in a "vicious circle of monolingualism", a report warned recently as figures showed English youngsters are among the worst in Europe at foreign languages.

Teenagers in 14 different European countries were tested on their ability to speak the first foreign language taught in schools, which for England was French.

In reading, writing and listening tests, English pupils were ranked bottom.

The study suggests youngsters are lagging far behind their European peers, with many unable to understand more than basic words or phrases.

Just 11 percent of English pupils studying French were considered "independent users" in writing – the lowest in Europe for a first foreign language. In comparison, across all countries, two-fifths of students were at this level.

Only 9.2 percent were ranked in the top category for French reading – again, the lowest in Europe for a first foreign language.

The highest performers overall, based on reading, listening and writing skills, were Sweden, Malta and the Netherlands, the research found.

But France, where students' English skills were tested, also performed badly, perfoming second-worst in all three disciplines.

The study, conducted as part of the European Survey on Language Competences (ESLC) was released on the same day a new report from the British Academy found that the UK's poor foreign language skills were hurting the economy.

The British Academy report said a "vicious circle of monolingualism" was taking place, as the dearth of necessary skills forced British employers to "sidestep language issues", removing incentives for new language students.

"It is clear that the UK still has a long way to go in order to catch up with our European neighbors and international competitors," said Professor Nigel Vincent, Vice-President of the British Academy. "Languages are vital for the health and wellbeing of the education and research base, for UK competitiveness, and for individuals and society at large."

It also found that the current focus on French, Spanish and German was too narrow to meet modern global business needs.

"Indications of future demand show that a growing number of languages will be needed as the UK expands its global connections and responds to new economic realities," it says. "These include not only world languages such as Mandarin, Arabic and Russian – but also Turkish, Farsi and Polish."

Last year the Government announced that for the first time all primary school children will have to learn a foreign language from age seven. Currently about one in ten state primary schools offers no language lessons at all and a further 20 percent only offer it to some year groups, according to the most recent official figures.

The move to make languages a requirement from age seven will take effect next year.