UK Companies Want You to Learn Foreign Languages

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A recent survey of 300 companies in UK has revealed that there is a strong need for staff with foreign language skills, which the education system is unable to provide. According to the Annual Education and Skills Survey 2014 conducted by the CBI and Pearson, around two-thirds (65%) of firms in the UK have identified foreign language as an essential skill for the present workforce. It is expected that this demand will rise further in the future as more businesses are planning to enter new and fastest growing markets worldwide. 

Annual Education and Skills Survey 2014 Findings 

The survey showed that major European languages like French and Spanish were still in high demand among British companies; however there is also a shift in demand towards languages like Mandarin and Arabic as UK firms gear up to enter these markets.

Regarding the results of the survey, CBI Deputy Director-General Katja Hall said, “With the EU still our largest export market, it’s no surprise to see German, French and Spanish language skills so highly prized by companies. But with China and Latin America seeing solid growth, ambitious firms want the language skills that can smooth the path into new markets.”

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CBI/Pearson 2014 Annual Education and Skills Survey showed that almost 41 per cent UK firms believe that staff with foreign language skills can be helpful for business and around 28 per cent of respondents said it would help in developing overseas relations and contacts. According to the study, the foreign languages that received the highest rating were- 

• French (50%) 

• German (49%)

• Spanish (44%) 

• Mandarin (31%) 

• Arabic (23%) 

• Polish (19%) 

• Russian (18%) 

• Cantonese (16%) 

• Japanese (15%) 

• Portuguese (11%) 

• Others (16%) 

Moreover, according to another survey conducted by the CBI 2 years ago, about 25 per cent of UK businesses said having Mandarin-speaking staff was beneficial for their companies. This demand has now increased to 31 per cent in 2014. The demand for Portuguese has also increased to a great extent and has almost doubled since the 2012 survey. However, it should be mentioned that more than one third of the companies surveyed this year claimed there was no requirement for any foreign language skills.

Fall in Foreign Languages Studies 

Katja Hall believes the present trend of continually low-take up of foreign languages in schools in the UK has become a cause for serious concern. She added, “It has been a worry to see foreign language study in our schools under pressure with one in five schools having a persistently low-take up of languages. The jury remains out as to whether recent Government initiatives can help spur resurgence in language learning”. 

Hall further commented “Young people considering their future subject choices should be made more aware of the benefits to their careers that can come from studying a foreign language.”

Since the last decade, the number of students enrolling for foreign languages studies has fallen heavily. The amount of “Skills Shortage Vacancies” has increased to 22 per cent of all vacancies in 2013 from 16 per cent in 2009, said the UK Commission for Employment and Skills in January 2014. Skills Shortage Vacancies refers to the lack of recruits who have the experience and qualifications for a job.

Managing Director of Pearson UK, Mark Anderson commented, “English is the international language of business which has clearly been a real benefit to UK business, but as a global company we understand that a company with employees who can communicate with some proficiency in the language of clients, customers and suppliers, has a big advantage in the fast-growing markets across the globe.”

The full results of the CBI and Pearson 2014 Annual Education and Skills Survey will be published next month.

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