Reason: 29
British nationals' interaction can only be responsive: they cannot initiate communication on equal terms with other EU member states. In other words, they are less powerful than those who have greater linguistic skills
Reference:
Willis, J. (2003) Foreign Language Learning and Technology in England from the 17th to 21st Centuries (a thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the examination for PhD in the Department of Education at the University of Surrey)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Equality (equal opportunities), European Union (EU), Language learning skills, UK
Reason: 39
Intercultural communication is important for the building of mutual respect between cultural groupings in Europe and also in Europeans’ relations with members of other cultures.
Reference:
Kelly, M., Elliott, I., Fant, L. (eds) (2001) Third Level, Third Space: Intercultural Communication and Language in European Higher Education (Bern: Peter Lang)
Related Keywords:
Communication, European Union (EU), Intercultural competence, International relations, Values
Reason: 43
In a European context, language education contributes to the political project of creating a more integrated market and transnational political entity
Reference:
Starkey, H. (1999) ‘Foreign language teaching to adults: implicit and explicit political education’ in Oxford Review of Education, Volume 25, Nos 1 & 2, pp. 155-169
Related Keywords:
Economic, social and political dimension, European Union (EU)
Reason: 44
The teaching of foreign languages particularly to adults, has a clear political agenda based on the creation of a democratic peaceful Europe.
Reference:
Starkey, H. (1999) ‘Foreign language teaching to adults: implicit and explicit political education’ in Oxford Review of Education, Volume 25, Nos 1 & 2, pp. 155-169
Related Keywords:
Democracy, Economic, social and political dimension, European Union (EU), Values
Reason: 93
Building a common home in which to live, work and trade together means acquiring the skills to communicate with one another effectively and to understand one another better. Learning and speaking other languages encourages us to become more open to others, their cultures and outlooks
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Communication, European Union (EU), Intercultural competence, Understanding, Values
Reason: 94
The European Union is built around the free movement of its citizens, capital and services. The citizen with good language skills is better able to take advantage of the freedom to work or study in another Member State
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Employability, European Union (EU), Language learning skills, Mobility, Study abroad
Reason: 95
In the context of the Lisbon strategy of economic, social and environmental renewal launched in March 2000, the European Union is developing a society based upon knowledge as a key element in moving towards its objective of becoming the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by the end of the decade. Learning other languages contributes to this goal by improving cognitive skills and strengthening learners’ mother tongue skills, including reading and writing
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Economic, social and political dimension, English Mother Tongue, European Union (EU), Knowledge, Language learning skills
Reason: 96
The European Commission is working to develop the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of EU citizens - Such goals will be easier if language learning is effectively promoted in the European Union, making sure that European citizens, and companies, have the intercultural and language skills necessary to be effective in the global market-place
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Business, European Union (EU), Intercultural competence, Language learning skills
Reason: 98
The ability to understand and communicate in other languages is a basic skill for all European citizens
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Communication, European Union (EU), Key skills
Reason: 126
Proficiency in several Community languages has become a precondition if citizens of the European Union are to benefit from the occupational and personal opportunities open to them in the border-free single market
Reference:
European Commission (1995: 67) cited in Byram, M. (2002) 'Foreign language education as political and moral education - an essay' in the Language Learning Journal, No. 26, pp. 43-47
Related Keywords:
Employability, European Union (EU), Multilingualism, Personal and social development
Reason: 127
Languages are also the key to knowing other people. Proficiency in languages helps to build up the feeling of being European with all its cultural wealth and diversity and of understanding between the citizens of Europe
Reference:
European Commission (1995: 67) cited in Byram, M. (2002) 'Foreign language education as political and moral education - an essay' in the Language Learning Journal, No. 26, pp. 43-47
Related Keywords:
European Union (EU), Multilingualism, Networking, Understanding
Reason: 129
Multilingualism is part and parcel of both European identity/citizenship and the learning society
Reference:
European Commission (1995: 67) cited in Byram, M. (2002) 'Foreign language education as political and moral education - an essay' in the Language Learning Journal, No. 26, pp. 43-47
Related Keywords:
Citizenship, European Union (EU), Identity, Learning, Multilingualism
Reason: 160
Europe is a growing market for job opportunities. Graduates who are fluent in a European language go into areas like the civil service, public relations, European Union institutions, European multinational companies, the armed services, customs and excise and research bodies within and outside the European university sector
Reference:
King, A., Thomas, G. (1999) The Guide to Languages and Careers (London: CILT)
Related Keywords:
Careers, Employability, European Union (EU), Mobility
Reason: 172
The integration of the EU makes a working knowledge of both languages and computing advantageous for a career in business or finance
Reference:
King, A., Thomas, G. (1999) The Guide to Languages and Careers (London: CILT)
Related Keywords:
Business, Careers, Employability, European Union (EU)
Reason: 173
The food industry is one of the largest in the EU and there are good career opportunities both in the UK and abroad for people with appropriate skills and knowledge
Reference:
King, A., Thomas, G. (1999) The Guide to Languages and Careers (London: CILT)
Related Keywords:
Careers, Employability, European Union (EU), Language for specific purposes, Mobility
Reason: 227
Europe's diversity is nowhere clearer than in its languages. But if it is to benefit from that diversity, its citizens have to be able to communicate with each other. Knowledge of languages is part of the basic skills that the Europe of the knowledge society requires; everyone should, as a general rule, be able to speak two foreign languages
Reference:
Council of the European Union (2002) Detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2002/c_142/c_14220020614en00010022.pdf)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Diversity, European Union (EU), Key skills, Knowledge
Reason: 230
Improving language learning in the European Union is a key factor in the Lisbon strategy, as an essential building block of almost all aspects involved, from economic efficiency to mobility, from the creation of more and better jobs to social inclusion and cohesion
Reference:
European Commission DGEAC Summary of the First Report on the activities of the working group on languages (July 2002-June 2003)
Related Keywords:
Economic, social and political dimension, European Union (EU), Inclusion, Mobility, Social cohesion
Reason: 232
Language learning is a key component of education for democratic citizenship; a participative process, which inter alia: equips mean and women to play an active part in public life and to shape in a responsible way their own destiny and that of their society; aims to instil a culture of human rights; prepares people to live in a multicultural society and to deal with difference knowledgeably, sensibly, tolerantly and morally; strengthens social cohesion, mutual understanding and solidarity
Reference:
Council of Europe (1999) cited in Starkey, H. (2002) 'Citizenship, human rights and intercultural education' in Swarbrick, A. (ed) Teaching Modern Foreign Languages in Secondary Schools (London: Routledge Falmer, The Open University), pp. 95-111
Related Keywords:
Citizenship, Democracy, Diversity, European Union (EU), Inclusion, Social cohesion, Understanding, Values
Reason: 284
The assumption is that increased foreign trade, closer European links, the effects of globalisation and even the war on terrorism will increase the demand for skilled linguists in an increasing range of languages
Reference:
Connell, T. (2002) Languages and Employability: A Question of Careers (www.cilt.org.uk/careers/pdf/reports/employability.pdf)
Related Keywords:
Business, Diversity, Employability, European Union (EU), Globalisation, International relations, National security
Reason: 336
The UK’s active membership of the EU argues for a sustained effort with European languages, but our wider global engagement also underlines the need to broaden the languages menu
Reference:
The Nuffield Languages Inquiry (2000) Languages: the next generation (London: The Nuffield Foundation)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, European Union (EU), Globalisation, Multilingualism, UK
Reason: 337
Our relationship with Europe needs more than English. Europe is emerging not only as a single market but also as a social and political forum in which English serves as a second language. There is a danger that European monolinguals will find themselves marginalised - unable to take a full part in the new institutions and opportunities in the economic, cultural and educational fields. For English monolinguals there is no single other language which will suffice: we need to explore the means of creating diversity of provision and language expertise in both the major and minor European languages
Reference:
The Nuffield Languages Inquiry (2000) Languages: the next generation (London: The Nuffield Foundation)
Related Keywords:
Culture, Diversity, Economic, social and political dimension, Education Studies, Equality (equal opportunities), European Union (EU), Global English, Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught (LWULT) Languages, Multilingualism, UK
Reason: 378
Linguistic diversity is one of the European Union’s defining features. Respect for the diversity of the Union’s languages is a founding principle of the European Union
Reference:
Commission of the European Communities (2003) Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity: An Action Plan 2004-2006
Related Keywords:
Diversity, European Union (EU), Values
Reason: 388
The UK is a member of the European Union and our economy is integrated into that of the other member states. There will be a high price to pay if we do not have the linguistic competence to play a full part
Reference:
Record of the symposium, 'Why languages matter', held on 6 March 2002 (The English-Speaking Union, The Nuffield Foundation)
Related Keywords:
Economic, social and political dimension, European Union (EU), UK
Reason: 533
If you want to work for the EU, then a language is pretty important
Reference:
Sixth Former
Related Keywords:
Careers, Employability, European Union (EU)
Reason: 551
Language learning helps our integration in Europe and prevents our isolation
Reference:
Sixth Former
Related Keywords:
European Union (EU), International relations, UK
Reason: 705
Language learning opens up a range of opportunities that would be unavailable if you were monolingual and it is also important with regard to the relationship and interaction between European countries
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
European Union (EU), International relations, Multilingualism, Personal and social development

700 Reasons to study languages...