One in four UK adults regret not speaking a second language

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5th January 2023

According to new research commissioned by the British Council, one in four UK adults wishes they had learned another language.

That’s 26% of those asked who said they regretted never taking the time and effort to learn to speak another language fluently, with 24% responding that they believe it’s more important than ever to speak an additional language to English.

The top language respondents wished they spoke was Spanish (25%), followed by French (21%), then Italian (14%), German (13%) and Japanese (10%).

“As currently only around half of pupils are choosing to study a language at GCSE, it’s important that teachers and parents encourage all pupils to consider choosing languages, so they don’t face the same regrets in the future,” says Vicky Gough, British Council Schools advisor.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

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Liz Granirer

Liz has been a journalist for many years. She is currently editor of EL Gazette and has previously edited the magazines Young Performer, StepForward and Accounting Technician; been deputy editor on Right Start magazine; chief sub editor on Country Homes & Interiors; and sub editor on easyJet Traveller, Lonely Planet and Family Traveller magazines, along with a number of others.