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UK adults 'forget school French' UK adults 'forget school French'
(1 day later)
Half of adults in the UK have forgotten the languages they learned at school, a survey suggests.Half of adults in the UK have forgotten the languages they learned at school, a survey suggests.
Two fifths of the 1,000 people polled by ICM regretted not keeping up their language skills after leaving school.Two fifths of the 1,000 people polled by ICM regretted not keeping up their language skills after leaving school.
Most people thought languages were important in everyday life and 52% said they were important to a career.Most people thought languages were important in everyday life and 52% said they were important to a career.
The survey findings are published as children across Europe are celebrating language learning as part of the European Day of Languages.The survey findings are published as children across Europe are celebrating language learning as part of the European Day of Languages.
Many secondary schools will use the day to promote the importance of learning languages, as fewer students have been taking traditional modern languages at GCSE in recent years.Many secondary schools will use the day to promote the importance of learning languages, as fewer students have been taking traditional modern languages at GCSE in recent years.
GCSE LANGUAGE ENTRIES 2008 French - down 6.8%German - down 5.4% Spanish - up 4.9%GCSE LANGUAGE ENTRIES 2008 French - down 6.8%German - down 5.4% Spanish - up 4.9%
The latest figures show the number taking French has slumped by a third in four years, although language experts say they hope the trend is now slowing.The latest figures show the number taking French has slumped by a third in four years, although language experts say they hope the trend is now slowing.
German has also continued to fall - from 81,061 in 2007 to 76,695 this year - a drop of 5.4%. In 2004, 122,161 students sat a GSCE in the subject.German has also continued to fall - from 81,061 in 2007 to 76,695 this year - a drop of 5.4%. In 2004, 122,161 students sat a GSCE in the subject.
It comes after the government scrapped the requirement to take a language in England's schools from the age of 14 in 2004.It comes after the government scrapped the requirement to take a language in England's schools from the age of 14 in 2004.
Spanish has been steadily growing in popularity, but from a lower base. Entries rose by 4.9% on last year - from 63,978 to 67,092.Spanish has been steadily growing in popularity, but from a lower base. Entries rose by 4.9% on last year - from 63,978 to 67,092.
Other modern languages - such as Chinese and Arabic - are also growing in popularity although the totals are comparatively small.Other modern languages - such as Chinese and Arabic - are also growing in popularity although the totals are comparatively small.
The day organised by the Council of Europe and Cilt, the National Centre for Languages, aims to kick-start language learning for children and adults alike.The day organised by the Council of Europe and Cilt, the National Centre for Languages, aims to kick-start language learning for children and adults alike.
TravelTravel
Sixth form students at a school in Battersea will share their language skills with first year pupils through taster sessions in a number of languages including Arabic.Sixth form students at a school in Battersea will share their language skills with first year pupils through taster sessions in a number of languages including Arabic.
Parents will be joining in the language fun at many schools too. In Camberwell, south London, they will be entertaining pupils with songs in different languages.Parents will be joining in the language fun at many schools too. In Camberwell, south London, they will be entertaining pupils with songs in different languages.
HAVE YOUR SAY I am eternally grateful for the French I learned at school, excellently taught at a state school in GlasgowGrenouille, UK Send us your comments
And in Uckfield, East Sussex, parents will give children classes in Turkish, German and Welsh.And in Uckfield, East Sussex, parents will give children classes in Turkish, German and Welsh.
Cilt chief executive Kathryn Board said: "Although the day is mostly about having fun with languages, it's also important - particularly in secondary schools - to bring a more serious message: that languages have a vital role in our society and that by giving them up pupils will miss out on valuable experiences both personally and professionally."Cilt chief executive Kathryn Board said: "Although the day is mostly about having fun with languages, it's also important - particularly in secondary schools - to bring a more serious message: that languages have a vital role in our society and that by giving them up pupils will miss out on valuable experiences both personally and professionally."
She added: "Adults who can’t commit to regular evening classes do not have to put their language learning on hold.
"Brushing up on languages learnt at school or starting a completely new language can fit around other commitments and can even become a family activity with parents and grandparents learning with their children."
The ICM poll for language software specialists Rosetta Stone found that more people had kept up their sporting activities or maintained friendships made at school than had carried on learning the languages they were taught.The ICM poll for language software specialists Rosetta Stone found that more people had kept up their sporting activities or maintained friendships made at school than had carried on learning the languages they were taught.
Just 4% had kept in touch with their foreign exchange pen-pal.Just 4% had kept in touch with their foreign exchange pen-pal.
But most agreed that languages are important in everyday life, the survey found.But most agreed that languages are important in everyday life, the survey found.
More than half (52%) said languages were important to a career.More than half (52%) said languages were important to a career.
And more than two thirds (69%) said they were jealous of people who were able to speak another language fluently.And more than two thirds (69%) said they were jealous of people who were able to speak another language fluently.
Of those who can speak another language, 61% said it had been of benefit to their career, with a third (34%) saying their language skills have given them opportunities to travel and work abroad.Of those who can speak another language, 61% said it had been of benefit to their career, with a third (34%) saying their language skills have given them opportunities to travel and work abroad.