"The remarkable linguistic diversity of the UK, reflecting our complex history, includes speakers of the indigenous languages and also of the languages of our main Asian, European and Afro-Caribbean communities as well as hundreds of smaller groups of speakers of other languages. Yet the multilingual talents of UK citizens are under-recognised, under-used and all too often viewed with suspicion. Our aims must be to recognise the opportunities offered by this multilingual wealth, ensure that talent is nurtured in future generations and meet the linguistic and cultural needs of individuals and communities."
(The Nuffield Foundation, 2000)
Recent figures show that:
CILT’s 2005 study also indicated that at least 61 languages are taught to children at complementary schools usually run by the communities themselves with classes held after school or at weekends. Furthermore, that mainstream secondary schools provide opportunities for children to learn at least 35 community languages as part of the core curriculum or as part of the enhanced curriculum (i.e. on school premises, after school hours). The Our Languages Schools directory gives a good indication of current activity.
A 2008 review of provision in Higher Education made the following observation. “We … recognise that community language learners may have different goals – often a wider range of goals – from foreign language learners: in addition to using their community languages to enhance their prospects for careers with an international dimension, in support of further study, or for cultural engagement, community language learners may also be concerned with developing identities or planning careers with communities who speak the same language, in the UK or elsewhere.” (Sachdev et al, 2008)
There have been some significant steps forward in terms of national policy this decade but much remains to be done to harness in full the linguistic potential highlighted by the Nuffield Languages Inquiry.
CILT, the National Centre for Languages has published the report Positively plurilingual to highlight the contribution of community languages to UK education, economy and society.
Whilst recognising that the predominance of English and its importance both for our nation and as an international lingua franca are not in doubt, the report stresses that alongside English other languages are becoming increasingly important to the UK as globalisation, international communications and labour force mobility transform economic and cultural life. Building on existing language skills and expertise is of direct benefit to individuals, fosters greater social cohesion, improves skills available to employers, contributes to our national prosperity and makes us better prepared to contribute positively on the global stage.
The report focuses on community language skills as a linguistic, educational, intellectual, cultural, family and personal and economic resource, drawing on international research. The centre pages feature a map illustration to highlight examples from around the UK.
Positively plurilingual report:
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