SIR – I would like to bring your attention to Speak to the Future, a campaign which is highlighting the importance of language learning in the UK.
More action must be taken to safeguard and revitalise language learning across the education system.
Speak to the Future has five objectives: It aims to see every language valued as an asset, a coherent experience of languages for all children in primary school, a working knowledge of at least two languages including English for every child leaving secondary school, every graduate qualified in a second language and an increase in the number of linguists.
However, I believe a change in attitudes is needed. Too many people think ‘everybody speaks English anyway’ and one of my peers suggested online translators can do the job for us.
While nothing is being done about this, young people are falling behind their European counterparts who leave school able to communicate competently in two foreign languages.
Admittedly, it is not an easy task – it has taken lots of hard work and a period of complete immersion for me to reach my current level of French and Spanish.
I have tried to encourage and promote language learning by tutoring younger students, giving presentations and setting up and running my school’s French Society.
For more information, please visit speaktothefuture.org.
Adam Dewhirst, A-level student at North Halifax Grammar School, Seed Hill Terrace, Mixenden
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