Why learn a foreign language? “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” (Nelson Mandela)

What are the advantages of learning a foreign language? Discuss.

Did you get all of the following? Shows you can tackle a challenge Broaden your horizons Understand other cultures fully Meet new people Travel Study/work abroad Gives you a sense of achievement, and shows others that you are intelligent, determined, committed and hardworking.

It is easier to learn a language when you are young Breaking the stereotype of the English tourist abroad Understand your own language better Recognising links between English and other languages Study literature, music, film in a foreign language “Those who know nothing of foreign languages, knows nothing of their own.” (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ( ), German writer and polymath)

Learning a foreign language improves your brain function and helps to makes you more employable. (American Academy of Neurology, 2013) Can you think of any examples or specific skills that are developed through learning a foreign language?

Speaking a second language has also been proved to delay the onset of dementia. “The researchers suggested that bilingual switching between different sounds, words, concepts, grammatical structures and social norms constituted a form of natural brain training, which was likely to be more effective than any artificial brain training programme.” (American Academy of Neurology, 2013)

Quick quiz

Answer = 6% The percentage of the world’s population that speaks English as a first language is: 6% 26% 56% 86%

Answer = 75% What percentage of the world’s population speaks no English at all? 15% 25% 50% 75%

Answer = Mandarin (Spanish is second, English third) The most widely-spoken language in the world is: Arabic English Mandarin Spanish

Some other facts & figures Over 60% of British trade is with non-English speaking countries Students who learn a second language perform better generally in tests UK graduates of Modern Languages have one of the lowest graduate unemployment rates. “A different language is a different vision of life.” (Federico Fellini ( ), Italian film director)

Give yourself the edge… they did! Match the names on the left to the degrees on the right: J. K. Rowling Author (Harry Potter) Paula Radcliffe Athlete Lucy Liu Film star Jonathan Ross TV and Radio Presenter Rory Bremner Comedian Fiona Bruce Newsreader Chris Martin Musician (Coldplay) Nigella Lawson TV Chef Chinese Language and Culture (1990) European Studies (1982) French and German (1983) Modern European Studies (1996) Greek and Latin (1999) French and Classics (1987) Medieval and Modern Languages (1983) French and Italian (1986) J. K. Rowling Author (Harry Potter) French and Classics (1987) Paula Radcliffe Athlete Modern European Studies (1996) Lucy Liu Film star (Kill Bill, Charlie’s Angels) Chinese Language and Culture (1990) Jonathan Ross TV and Radio Presenter European Studies (1982) Rory Bremner Comedian French and German (1983) Fiona Bruce Newsreader French and Italian (1986) Chris Martin Musician (Coldplay) Greek and Latin (1999) Nigella Lawson TV Chef Medieval and Modern Languages (1983)

A few more… Kate Beckinsale (actress) – French and Russian Kate Adie (broadcaster) – Scandinavian studies Mayim Bialik (actress, big bang theory) – Hebrew, Jewish studies & Neuroscience Ashley Judd (Actress, Divergent, Heat) – French Jo Whiley (DJ, BBC) – Applied Languages David Macklovitch (musician, 22 jump street) – French literature Brooke Shields (model, actress) – French literature

Competition – what am I up against? Most businesses and universities want you to have studied a foreign language. Large competition in the job market – free movement in EU, many students from other countries learn one or two foreign languages to a high level. We live in a globalised world – much easier to communicate now, distance is less of an issue.

Modern and classical languages are facilitating subjects – subjects favoured by Russell Group Universities. Many top international and independent schools in the UK offer the International Baccalaureate qualification (equivalent of A- Levels). The study of a foreign language is compulsory!

Businesses say that: Business is global today English is important, but not enough You need to get noticed overseas Cultural awareness pays off Networking is easier in the local language Relationships make a difference Foreign languages are vital LLAS (Languages Linguistics Area Studies)

Which languages do businesses value the most in the UK? (CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey 2014) 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) French German Spanish Mandarin Arabic

“Young people considering their future subject choices should be made more aware of the benefits to their careers that can come from studying a foreign language.” (Katja Hall, 2014, CBI Deputy Director-General) CBI = The Confederation of British Industry

Do you know anyone who speaks a foreign language?

Bradley Wiggins French interview: &list=PLVr9N3u5ytEfrIva-LFk02zkAyAYVtN5o &list=PLVr9N3u5ytEfrIva-LFk02zkAyAYVtN5o Bradley Cooper interview in French: la-coqueluche-de-hollywood-sur-le-plateau-de-tf htmlhttp://videos.tf1.fr/jt-20h/2011/bradley-cooper- la-coqueluche-de-hollywood-sur-le-plateau-de-tf html OR Hot-Bradley-Cooper-Speaking-Fluent-French- Interview Sandra Bullock acceptance speech German:

Gary Lineker Spanish football intro: GNE GNE Jodie Foster (Silence of the lambs, Inside man, Elysium) interview in French: 2I Gwyneth Paltrow Spanish interview:

Kobe Bryant Italian interview: Boris Johnson French interview: More at: tips/celebrity-linguists.html Videos on the video server – Go to MFL, L2 at work, Gary, Trevtalk, Ben, Chef, Iona, Katarina, Sam.