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Figures of Speech
The 2007 NIACE survey on languages
Yanina Dutton and Sue Meyer |
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In a country closely engaged in global markets, and where migration is an important part of coping with the effects of an ageing population, language learning is crucial.
Language learning in the UK is complicated, and this authoritative survey shows that the complexity is increasing. More languages are spoken, more people have two languages and different groups have different motivations and patterns of learning. Learning English, almost invisible in NIACE’s 1999 language-learning survey, is now a dominant strand.
The survey is cheering in showing how successfully adults acquire language skills. Those learning English are learning for everyday life: reading, working and social and family life. Of those learning other languages a quarter learn for work-related reasons, but more learn and use their skills for personal interest and enjoyment.
The state of language learning seems healthy, but future prospects are not so good. The number of adults learning a language has diminished in recent years. Worryingly, there is also a reduction in the numbers wanting to learn languages in future, particularly in the 17–19 age group. Moreover, as usual, age and class patterns in language learning persist. Breaking those patterns is the essential challenge for all involved in language provision.
This is one of two NIACE surveys of participation in adult learning in 2007, both based on responses of around 5,000 adults in the UK.
See also: Road to Nowhere?
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Contents
| List of tables | |
| Acknowledgements | |
| Technical notes | |
| Key findings What languages do people speak? Languages learnt as a child Who learns languages as an adult? Current participation in language learning Why and how do people learn languages? |
|
| How well do people learn languages and when do they use them? | |
| Future language-learning intentions | |
| Introduction | |
| Chapter 1 | What languages do people speak? Mother tongue Other languages learnt as a child |
| Chapter 3 | Who learns languages as an adult? |
| Chapter 3 | Current participation in language learning
Participation in language learning, men and women compared Participation in language learning, by age Participation in language learning, by socio-economic class and employment status Participation in language learning, by nation of the UK and English region Participation in language learning, by ethnicity and mother tongue Emerging patterns |
| Chapter 4 | Why and how do people learn languages? |
| Chapter 5 | How well do people learn languages and
when do they use them? Foreign languages When foreign languages are used English as another language When is English used? |
| Chapter 6 | Future language-learning intentions Future intentions, by age Future intentions, by social class and employment status Future intentions, by nation of the UK and English region Future intentions, by ethnicity and mother tongue |
| Appendix | Questionnaire |
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