Do you want the good news or the bad news?

According to figures produced by CILT - National Centre of Languages - and the British Chambers of Commerce, four out of five managers cannot negotiate in a foreign language and Britain rates 27th out of 28 European countries in foreign language skills (Sunday Times April 16).  In case you are in any doubt that is the bad news.

However this is good news for both people coming to the UK to work or British people that speak foreign languages, as the CILT Talking Sense report also found that:

• UK Companies seem to prefer to meet their language skills need through recruitment rather than training - UK major companies are looking for potential employees with language skills.
• A recruit with language skills is clearly valued more than one without
• Language skills offer enhanced career prospects for the individual

So when you are having ‘one of those days’ and are struggling with your languages, just remember how much learning a language can help you!

Source: CILT, Talking Sense Report; The Sunday Times (16 April)