Minority Language Conference Hanasaari-The Swedish- Finnish Cultural Centre November 27th and 28th 2008

The EU as a Language Community. The Linguistic Competence of EU Citizens Today Johan Häggman Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Leonard Orban, Commissioner for Multilingualism

Languages of the EU 23 official languages 23 official languages More than 60 regional- and minority languages and languages of migrants. More than 60 regional- and minority languages and languages of migrants. Language policy is competence of the Member States. Language policy is competence of the Member States. Eurobarometer study ”Europeans and their languages” Eurobarometer study ”Europeans and their languages”

Today’s multilingual Europe The mother tongue of most Europeans is one of the state languages of the country (for instance 100% of Hungarians and Portuguese, 99% Greeks name their state languages as their native tongues. The mother tongue of most Europeans is one of the state languages of the country (for instance 100% of Hungarians and Portuguese, 99% Greeks name their state languages as their native tongues. However, a there is minority speaking either an official EU language (such as the Swedes in Finland) or a non European language. (14% in Luxembourg speak another EU language and 10% in slovakia speak Hungarian). However, a there is minority speaking either an official EU language (such as the Swedes in Finland) or a non European language. (14% in Luxembourg speak another EU language and 10% in slovakia speak Hungarian).

Today’s multilingual Europe The cases where a sizable number of the country speaks a regional and minority language are the Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom. The cases where a sizable number of the country speaks a regional and minority language are the Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom. Only 1,4% speak a regional and minority languages not announced in the Eurobarometer study of Only 1,4% speak a regional and minority languages not announced in the Eurobarometer study of 2005.

Other Languages Known – Two is the target A majority of Europeans are able to have a conversation in one language other than their mother tongue. A majority of Europeans are able to have a conversation in one language other than their mother tongue. 56% of Europeans in at least one language, 28% in at least two languages and 11% in at least 3 languages and 44% in no other languages. 56% of Europeans in at least one language, 28% in at least two languages and 11% in at least 3 languages and 44% in no other languages. Fewer Europeans remain without competences in foreign languages than four yeasr ago. From 47% in 2001 to 44% in Fewer Europeans remain without competences in foreign languages than four yeasr ago. From 47% in 2001 to 44% in 2005.

Language Skills At the country level, 99% of Luxembourg citizens, 97% of Slovaks and 95% of Latvians indicate that they speak at least one foreign language. At the country level, 99% of Luxembourg citizens, 97% of Slovaks and 95% of Latvians indicate that they speak at least one foreign language. At the other end of the ranking, Ireland and the United Kingdom have only 34% and 38% of citizens knowing a language other than their mother tongue. At the other end of the ranking, Ireland and the United Kingdom have only 34% and 38% of citizens knowing a language other than their mother tongue. Also few Italians 41%, Portuguese (42%) and Hungarians (42%) speak another language than their mother tongue. Also few Italians 41%, Portuguese (42%) and Hungarians (42%) speak another language than their mother tongue.

Two languages In 2002, the Heads of States set a long-term objective, mother tongue + two. In 2002, the Heads of States set a long-term objective, mother tongue + two. The citizens of Luxembourg score best again with 92% speaking two languages apart from their mother tongue. Followed by 75 % in the Netherlands and 71% in Slovenia. The citizens of Luxembourg score best again with 92% speaking two languages apart from their mother tongue. Followed by 75 % in the Netherlands and 71% in Slovenia. At the bottom of the table are the southern Europeans, the United Kingdom and Ireland. At the bottom of the table are the southern Europeans, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Who is the multilingual European In general: In general: Young Young Well-educated Well-educated With a multilingual background (foreign parents, born abroad or belonging to a linguistic minority) With a multilingual background (foreign parents, born abroad or belonging to a linguistic minority) In a managerial position or a student In a managerial position or a student Motivated to learn Motivated to learn

Range of Languages Known English remains the most widely-spoken foreign language throughout Europe. English remains the most widely-spoken foreign language throughout Europe. English 38% English 38% French 14% French 14% German 14% German 14% Spanish 6% Spanish 6% Russian 6% Russian 6%

Range of Languages Known More respondents say that they speak these languages than in 2001, Russian was not covered. More respondents say that they speak these languages than in 2001, Russian was not covered. With the enlargement of the European Union, the balance between French and German is changing. With the enlargement of the European Union, the balance between French and German is changing. Russian has been introduced largely due to the Baltic States. Russian has been introduced largely due to the Baltic States.

Range of Languages Known In 19 put of the 29 countries polled, English is the most widely spoken language, after the mother tongue. In 19 put of the 29 countries polled, English is the most widely spoken language, after the mother tongue. Particularly in Sweden (89%), Malta (88%) and the Netherlands (87%). Particularly in Sweden (89%), Malta (88%) and the Netherlands (87%). French is the most widely spoken foreign language Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Ireland. French is the most widely spoken foreign language Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Range of Languages Known German is commonly spoken in Slovakia (32%), the Czech Republic (28%) and Hungary (25%) German is commonly spoken in Slovakia (32%), the Czech Republic (28%) and Hungary (25%) While most Lithuanians (80%), Latvians (70%) and Estonians (66%) speak Russian. While most Lithuanians (80%), Latvians (70%) and Estonians (66%) speak Russian. Maybe surprisingly a significant part of Slovenians master Croatian (59%) Maybe surprisingly a significant part of Slovenians master Croatian (59%)

The Level of Language Skills Over half of the respondents rate their language skills as very good or good. Over half of the respondents rate their language skills as very good or good. People evaluate their language skills in English to be the best. 69% claim they can speak English well or very well. People evaluate their language skills in English to be the best. 69% claim they can speak English well or very well. 59% say that their competence in German, and 56% in Russian, is better than basic. 59% say that their competence in German, and 56% in Russian, is better than basic. People claim less frequently that their language skills are very good in German, French or Spanish. People claim less frequently that their language skills are very good in German, French or Spanish.

Frequency of use 47% indicate that they use foreign languages almost every day. 47% indicate that they use foreign languages almost every day. 53% do not use their language competence on a daily basis. 53% do not use their language competence on a daily basis. 31% of those who know English indicate that they use it almost every day. 31% of those who know English indicate that they use it almost every day. 22% said that they used Spanish or German daily. 22% said that they used Spanish or German daily.

Situations of use 42% of Europeans use their first foreign language on holiday abroad. 42% of Europeans use their first foreign language on holiday abroad. 26% use it while watching tv, films or listening to the radio. 26% use it while watching tv, films or listening to the radio. 25% while communicating with friends and as many while having conversations at work. 25% while communicating with friends and as many while having conversations at work.

Ways of learning 59% of those polled said that they have learned languages at secondary school. 59% of those polled said that they have learned languages at secondary school. Other learning environments are also mentioned, for example 24% in primary school and a fifth on holidays abroad. Other learning environments are also mentioned, for example 24% in primary school and a fifth on holidays abroad. Most learn languages at school, but 16% have learned languages on their own. Most learn languages at school, but 16% have learned languages on their own.

Learning languages Language and education policy is a competence of each Member State. But the Commission encourages and motivates people to learn languages. Language and education policy is a competence of each Member State. But the Commission encourages and motivates people to learn languages. 18% of EU citizens have learned a language or improve their languages skills during the last two years and 21% intend to do so in the coming year. 18% of EU citizens have learned a language or improve their languages skills during the last two years and 21% intend to do so in the coming year.

Learning languages Approximately 1 in 5 Europeans can be described as active language learners. Approximately 1 in 5 Europeans can be described as active language learners. The most active language learners come from Sweden (32%), Latvia (28%) and Finland (28%) The most active language learners come from Sweden (32%), Latvia (28%) and Finland (28%) …and the ”laziest” from Greece (6%) and Portugal (11%). …and the ”laziest” from Greece (6%) and Portugal (11%).

The most useful language English is perceived by Europeans to be by far the most useful language (68%) English is perceived by Europeans to be by far the most useful language (68%) The gap between the perceived usefulness of French (25%) and German (22%) is narrowing. The gap between the perceived usefulness of French (25%) and German (22%) is narrowing. In 26 of the 29 countries covered English is rated as the most useful language. In 26 of the 29 countries covered English is rated as the most useful language.

Reasons for learning languages 35% claim they learn languages for travelling abroad. 35% claim they learn languages for travelling abroad. 27% learn for personal satisfaction and as many to be able to work in another country. 27% learn for personal satisfaction and as many to be able to work in another country. However, employment related reasons are on the increase. Especially in the new Member States. However, employment related reasons are on the increase. Especially in the new Member States.

Reasons for young people To improve their job opportunities is the most common reason, with 73% stating this. To improve their job opportunities is the most common reason, with 73% stating this. Another reason is that the language is widely spoken around the world (38%). Another reason is that the language is widely spoken around the world (38%). Around a third stresses the advantages of being multilingual when going on holiday. Around a third stresses the advantages of being multilingual when going on holiday.

Conclusions Europeans have fairly good language skills, 56% speak another language Europeans have fairly good language skills, 56% speak another language English dominates English dominates The language skills could be used more frequently The language skills could be used more frequently Most learn languages at school. Most learn languages at school. Language skills are considered useful. Language skills are considered useful.

Conclusions Work-related reasons are becoming more important. Work-related reasons are becoming more important. Still more than a third learn languages to go on holiday abroad. Still more than a third learn languages to go on holiday abroad. Language skills are important for young people. Language skills are important for young people. Most young people learn languages to have better job opportunities. Most young people learn languages to have better job opportunities.

Thank you for your attention!