Linguistics can make the language learning the language is more relevant – and attractive – for schoolchildren
[ad_1]
2023 Yugov poll I found that only 21 % of the UK adults can have a conversation in a language other than their mother tongue. Nearly half 79 % of others regretted not engaging with languages in school, and more than half of all those surveyed were interested in learning a new language.
In comparison, about 60 % of the European Union citizens who were included in the survey were mentioned in 2022 Good or skilled Foreign language skills.
It is clear that there is something wrong in learning the foreign language in UK schools, and this does not improve. For example, levels A in modern languages in England as a percentage of all entries at the A level He fell Since 2010.
yet Our research appears Many students in England and Wales feel curious about how to form a language by society, culture and history, and how communication between people from different backgrounds leads to a change of language. The language curriculum directed towards linguistics – the critical and analytical study of the same language – can address a decrease in language learning.
Get your news from the actual experts, directly to your inbox. Participate in the daily newsletter to receive all the recent coverage of news and research, from politics and works to arts and sciences.
In March 2025, Temporary report A continuous review of school curricula and evaluation in England has been published. This called for changes to how language learning occurred in schools.
Some specific issues are not exclusive to the language curriculum. The authors generally note that students do not see their lives and their interests represented in what is taught, and that the curriculum does not respond to social change. At the same time, the report realizes that young people’s understanding of culture through language is necessary.
National language curricula have been recognized as a problem for some time. Unlike all other subjects in GCSE and AD, including very practical materials such as physical education and music, languages are taught in schools and evaluated almost as skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. It lacks critical and theory and Analytical dimensions.
Moreover, themes that are covered, although they are wide, are so socially deviant that it can make them difficult for students: discussions of the skiing holidays in the Alps outside, for example. This does not mention to change the opinion that the study of languages is Maintaining the elite.
We worked with language teachersBesides colleagues Alice Core, Norma Shevano and Sasha Stomings, indicate this Including linguistics In the language curriculum, it can address some of these shortcomings.
Shutterstock juice
Linguistics allows a language – with all its richness and complexity – to study a psychological, cultural and historical being, allowing students to investigate how they are formed by (and forms) society. Instead of just learning vocabulary and rules, and using them to talk, for example, regional identity or cultural pluralism, linguistic -based lessons focus on how the language is linked to these topics.
Linguistics It can also enhance Teaching other subjects including English as a first or additional language, as well as topics such as History, geography, mathematics and science. This is because linguistics encourages a framework for analysis that easily applies to other topics.
What’s more, the soft skills obtained from this approach can learn the language Promote employment susceptibilityStrengthening language experts who are more prepared for the real world. This would make school languages an attractive choice even for those who do not want to follow the degree of languages.
In order for the UK to face its social, economic and commercial challenges, we ask for more linguistic of all kinds, such as this 2020 A proposal for the national language strategy From institutions including the British Council and British universities.
Our private research He explains that the enriched language curriculum in linguistics is attractive to both students and teachers. It can enhance the motivation and confidence among students, while contributing to a more varied and comprehensive educational experience.
We have also shown that it can be easily combined in teaching the language without additional training for teachers. Above all, linguistic curricula can help students feel acting in their learning, allowing them to think about the cultural and social issues that they understand and feel strong.
The numbers speak folders
Learning language in schools in England has always been in particular Retreating. Statistics mask is the broader regular problems, too. School language sections are increasingly unwanted or completely closed. This means fewer languages learning students at the level of A and abroad, and many of the numerous exercises to be teachers in the language.
Delivery of this deficiency with teachers from abroad is also increasingly difficult, especially since Britain has left the European Union, Evil.
There is an effect on higher education. The continuous closure of university language programs led to the emergence of “cold spots” in parts of the country: the areas where universities do not provide language certificates. Access to learning the highest language and thus risk becomes a The postal code lotionEspecially for those who do not have the financial means of studying away from their original city.
A major change is needed in how to teach languages - enriching language education with linguistics can be effective, renovated and possibly transformational.
