Brits don't speak foreign languages

A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak
only English.

In Markku Grönroos
wrote:

A recently published study

Which?

tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak only English.

If they don't travel, or restrict their travel to English-speaking
areas, they shouldn't encounter any difficulties.

--
St. Paul, MN

Markku Grönroos writes:

A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak
only English.

I'd like to know what the percentage is who can't even speak English!

Markku Grönroos:

A recently published study

Where was it published?

tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak only English.

I would have guessed a much higher percentage. In fact, I consider this
a pretty good score.

On 29/11/11 16:21, Markku Grönroos wrote:
A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak
only English.

Well about 10% of the population wasn't born here, so that means that
only 26% of the people born in the UK can speak a foreign language.

As every child who passes through the British school system receives
lessons in at least one foreign language I beg leave to doubt that survey.


--
William Black

Free men have open minds
If you want loyalty, buy a dog...

William Black:

On 29/11/11 16:21, Markku Grönroos wrote:
A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can
speak only English.

As every child who passes through the British school system receives
lessons in at least one foreign language I beg leave to doubt that
survey.

That's why we'd have to see the survey first: it all depends on the
definition of "speaking another language".
If being able to say "Papa fume une pipe" is considered enough, then
your doubts will be spot on.

On 29/11/2011 16:31, Bert wrote:
In Markku Grönroos
wrote:

A recently published study

Which?

tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak only English.

If they don't travel, or restrict their travel to English-speaking
areas, they shouldn't encounter any difficulties.


Even if they don't. In my experience, citizens of most Euro countries
speak better English than I do. For example,in Germany, Holland, all
Scandinavian countries slip effortlessly to English if you start trying
to express yourself in the local language. Even France, although they
pretend that they don't!

On 29/11/11 18:17, Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
William Black:

On 29/11/11 16:21, Markku Grönroos wrote:
A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can
speak only English.

As every child who passes through the British school system receives
lessons in at least one foreign language I beg leave to doubt that
survey.

That's why we'd have to see the survey first: it all depends on the
definition of "speaking another language".
If being able to say "Papa fume une pipe" is considered enough, then
your doubts will be spot on.

I've had a fair bit of experience of travelling with people who have
never been abroad before..

As a general rule many English people (I have no idea about the products
of the Scottish education system, I understand it is somewhat different)
lack confidence in using any foreign language skills (Or, indeed,
any skills acquired at all) they may have acquired in school.

One lady, on entering a café in France and successfully ordering a a
cup coffee in French for the first time in her life turned to me and
said "It works, I didn't think it would work".

This is because of the odd way the education system teaches skills here.
People think they're only good for passing exams...

--
William Black

Free men have open minds
If you want loyalty, buy a dog...

Markku Grönroos wrote:

A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak
only English.

It's a hell of a lot more ****ing useful than Finnish.

--
(*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
www.davidhorne.net (email address on website)
"[Do you think the world learned anything from the first
world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009)

William Black wrote:

On 29/11/11 16:21, Markku Grönroos wrote:
A recently published study tells that 64% of all the Britons can speak
only English.

Well about 10% of the population wasn't born here, so that means that
only 26% of the people born in the UK can speak a foreign language.

As every child who passes through the British school system receives
lessons in at least one foreign language I beg leave to doubt that survey.

I know it's a century since you've been to school, but even you should
know that learning a language at school doesn't mean you can speak it.

--
(*) of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
www.davidhorne.net (email address on website)
"[Do you think the world learned anything from the first
world war?] No. They never learn." -Harry Patch (1898-2009)