Linguistic Endeavours:  Learning languages in Britain is something usually confined to the schoolrooms of pre-sixteen year olds. Since English is the universal language of business and tourism it seems that we have become lazy in our linguistic pursuits. However there are many motivations to pick up and brush up that rusty school French or have a go at learning some Spanish which goes beyond the minimal requirements of the annual trip to Grenada. To start with languages are an impressive addition to any CV even if you never get past intermediate level. More and more employers are looking for people with languages to join their workforce as the more and more business have to deal with foreign clients and international correspondences. In some cases, if you never progressed beyond the basics, your employer might even pay for further language tuition deeming it a valuable addition to the team. Learning languages is also a satisfying and challenging way to fill any free time and can be a fun thing to do as a family.

As well as the many benefits from and the many motivations to learn languages, there are also many ways to go about it. Night classes are a popular choice for those with a full time 9-5 job and regular tuition with monitored feedback is one of the most effective ways to learn. However, if you think you’d prefer a more flexible arrangement there are many tools available for you to teach yourself. If you often drive to and from work, a ‘Teach Yourself Spanish’ CD could be a good way to amuse yourself whilst sitting in the morning traffic. There are websites dedicated to English speakers learning a wide variety of foreign languages or for non-English speakers to improve their English, providing worksheets, exercises, grammar explanations and small tests to help you keep track of your progress. There are also plenty of books available, ranging from holiday lingo to advanced level language teaching.


If you enjoy travelling and experiencing new cultures, learning a language can open your mind to new literature, films, types of music and even cookery books without leaving the comfort of your own home. Whether it be for career purposes or simply for personal enjoyment and satisfaction, if you’re looking for a new past-time to broaden your horizons start learning a new language today.