What countries require students to learn a second language?

In France, Romania, Austria, Norway, Malta, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein, every student must learn another language. The country with the least amount of students enrolled is actually Belgium, with 64 percent, just behind Portugal (69 percent) and the Netherlands (70 percent).

Should students be forced to learn a foreign language?

In conclusion, learning a second language should be required. A second language can help anyone broaden their horizons, widen their communication skills and help admit them into colleges or earn scholarships. At least two years of a language will benefit anyone more than none at all.

Do primary schools have to teach a foreign language?

The 2014 Primary National Curriculum once again made learning a foreign language compulsory at Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6). Schools are free to choose whether to teach an ancient or a modern language; it is much more about language learning skills than the particular language on offer.

What percentage of schools teach foreign language?

State officials estimate that 25 percent of high school students study a foreign language, mostly because many colleges with competitive admissions standards require at least two years of foreign language classes in high school.

Why don t Americans learn second languages?

Call it the consequence of geographic isolation, a history of economic and cultural hegemony, or a culture of rugged independence, but for better or for worse, America has a foreign language education deficit. As of 2001, 26 percent of American adults were capable of holding a conversation in another language.

Why do people in Europe speak more than one language?

Three things: age, employment level, and familial background. If a European is a student, in a managerial position, or, has a mother tongue (language of one’s parent) different from the one spoken in the country of residence, they have a greater chance of speaking a second language.

Are foreign languages compulsory in England?

Languages have not been compulsory in England beyond the age of 14 since 2004. The national curriculum for maintained schools in England stipulates that the teaching of foreign languages is required at key stage 2 (ages 7–11) and key stage 3 (ages 11–14). This can be in any modern foreign language (MFL).

Why should languages be compulsory?

Foreign languages are important for the individual pupil. Employers value people who are able to speak more than one language. Learning a language will therefore help students get good jobs when they are older. It will also increase their understanding of other cultures.

Is there a shortage of foreign language teachers?

Foreign Language. The U.S. Department of Education reports that foreign language is historically fourth on the list of subjects experiencing a national shortage. Recent reports note that 58\% of states experience a foreign language teacher shortage over the last 20 years (Pg.

How many foreign languages do students learn in European countries?

Even in the European countries with the lowest overall shares of students learning a foreign language, most students learn at least one foreign language before completing secondary school.

Should students learn a foreign language in school?

Learning a foreign language is a nearly ubiquitous experience for students throughout Europe, driven in part by the fact that most European countries have national-level mandates for formally studying languages in school. No such national standard exists in the U.S., where requirements are mostly set at the school district or state level.

Why are European students learning English in school?

They also tend to learn more languages throughout their education due to national mandates. Part of this linguistic imbalance may be because most European students are learning English in school, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis.

What is the Council of Europe doing for foreign language teaching?

Many European countries have adapted their foreign language teaching at the national level to the frameworks and standards articulated by the Council of Europe’s language policy and activities. Modern Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment.