European Day of Languages 24 September 2010

The European Year of Languages involves millions of people across 45 countries in activities to celebrate linguistic diversity and the benefits of being able to speak another language. What language do you speak?

How many of these words and phrases do you recognise? Nahthen Wuzthabin? Geeeeeoa Gerronwiit Putwoodinthowle

How many of these words and phrases do you recognise? Nahthen Wuzthabin? Geeeeeoa Gerronwiit Putwoodinthowle Now then Where have you been? Give up Get on with it Shut the door

What do you make of this? Yan Tan Tether Mether Pip

What do you make of this? One Two Three Four Five CumbrianSheep farmer language!

Our planet has over 6 billion people who speak between 6000 and 7000 different languages Not everyone speaks English – it’s a multicultural and a multilingual world!

A little language can make a lot of difference

David Beckham: “If I can conquer Spanish, it will have been a great achievement!”

By the age of 21, you will have spoken about 50 million words!!!

German is the most widely spoken first language in Europe

People who can speak another language can earn up to £5000 more than colleagues who do not!

At the age of 18 months you can speak about fifty words. At the age of five you can speak several thousand!

If you have learnt a second language, it is easier to learn a third, fourth…….. fifth…!

In London, more than 300 languages are spoken at home.

70, 000 volunteers are needed for the London 2012 Olympics – Especially people who can speak other languages!

Languages improve your understanding of how other people live and think Learning a new language can increase your self-confidence and help you speak more clearly.

Sithi lata