European Day of Languages 26 th September

Which are the four most widely spoken languages around the world?

ChineseChinese EnglishEnglish HindustaniHindustani SpanishSpanish

The world's population is roughly 7 billion people.

One and a quarter billion people speak Chinese (Mandarin).

550 million speak English

Hindustani speakers number 500 million.

Spanish is spoken by 450 million people world wide.

So just under half the world's population speak one of those four languages

What about the other half?

There are over 6900 other languages spoken in the world.

71% of Europeans think that everyone should speak a foreign language.

Why do you think it is important to learn another language?

Some fascinating facts about languages The country with the most languages is Papua New Guinea, with over 870 different languages spoken.The country with the most languages is Papua New Guinea, with over 870 different languages spoken. More than 1,000 different languages are spoken on the continent of Africa, in just 52 countries.More than 1,000 different languages are spoken on the continent of Africa, in just 52 countries. The Cambodian alphabet is the world's longest alphabet, with 74 letters. The world's shortest alphabet, used in the Solomon Islands, has only 11.The Cambodian alphabet is the world's longest alphabet, with 74 letters. The world's shortest alphabet, used in the Solomon Islands, has only 11. English has more words than any other language. But English speakers generally use only about 1% of the words.English has more words than any other language. But English speakers generally use only about 1% of the words. START LEARNING MORE WORDS IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE NOWSTART LEARNING MORE WORDS IN YOUR OWN LANGUAGE NOW

In Sweden, Holland and Denmark, more than 85% of people can speak in another language.In Sweden, Holland and Denmark, more than 85% of people can speak in another language. That’s nearly nine out of every ten people.That’s nearly nine out of every ten people.

In Britain two out of three people (66%) can only speak English.

…which means 1 out of 3 can speak another language

Can you speak any other languages?

To celebrate European Day of Languages today, we are going to set you some challenges.

We want you to find out… What languages are spoken inWhat languages are spoken in St. Lukes? St. Lukes? Do 1 in 3 people speak a different language in our school?Do 1 in 3 people speak a different language in our school?

Do you speak another language? We would love you to share your knowledge with your class and teach them a few words in your language today.