Greeny News

On Monday, students from all over Europe celebrated the European Day of Languages. However, while students from other European countries learn two new languages ??at school, we have less to celebrate. Language learning in the UK is in serious decline (editorial, Sept. 13). While we find it difficult to motivate students to study French and German young people in East London are campaigning to get the skills available in a wide range of languages. Speak community languages, such as Somalia and Albania, as well as English, and are willing to study these and use them in their future careers. Many are already learning in schools more - schools on the Saturday schools or language. Four recent studies funded by the Economic and Social Council show how school students get additional benefits cognitive, linguistic and social bilingualism.

As academics involved in training, we urge the government to engage in constructive dialogue with young people and their communities and qualifications are available in a wide range of languages. It would be an important step towards a coherent policy on multilingualism. Resources in the UK only language could benefit the economy, especially in world trade. In the European Day of Languages, we need to celebrate the talent of language all our citizens.

Dr Raymonde Sneddon

University of East London

Dr Charmian Kenner

Goldsmiths, University of London

Professor David Block

Institute of Education, University of London

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Professor Li Wei

Birkbeck College, University of London

Professor Zhu Hua

Birkbeck College, University of London

Professor Viv Edwards

University of Reading

Professor Ben Rampton

King's College London

Dr. Salman Al-Azami

Liverpool Hope University

Dr. Issa Tozun

London Metropolitan University

Dr Vally Lytra

Goldsmiths, University of London

constant Prof. Leung

King's College London

Mahendra Verma

York University

Dr. Leena Robertson

Middlesex University

Dr. Vicky Obied

Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr Joanna McPake

University of Strathclyde

Dr. Geri Smyth

University of Strathclyde

Dr. Gee Macrory

Manchester Metropolitan University

Ratha Ms. Perumal

University of East London

Dr. Maggie Gravelle

University of Greenwich

Goldsmiths, University of London

Dr. John Conteh