Oxford University said people’s interest in learning languages was manifested during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown as the use of language learning applications witnessed a surge. One popular language learning apps has claimed increased usage of more than 200%, while others are reporting new sales up more than 50%.<\/p>\n
Academics maintain it shows a pent-up interest and wish to study languages. For a nation supposedly averse to speaking other languages, the British have been turning in numbers to foreign tongues as a first resort \u2013 in the absence of more traditional forms of entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u2018It shows there are a lot of people who want to learn a language,\u2019 says Oxford Professor Katrin Kohl. \u2018It\u2019s surprising how often you meet people in all walks of life who are taking language courses.\u2019<\/p>\n
Professor Kohl says that there is clearly interest. She also highlights that there is a huge pool of talent for languages in the UK.<\/p>\n
In England, for more than one in five primary school children and almost one in six students at secondary level, English is a second language.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u2018This means they already have well-developed language learning skills, a benefit that isn\u2019t sufficiently valued at present.\u2019<\/p>\n
It might seem that, with globalization, everyone speaks English. But Professor Kohl says:\u00a0\u2018That simply isn\u2019t the case. The world isn\u2019t just culturally diverse, it\u2019s also linguistically diverse. People care about their distinctive languages, as we can see in Wales and Ireland.<\/p>\n
‘Developments such as this surge in interest shows that people see language learning as a fruitful way to spend time.\u2019<\/p>\n
She dismisses the idea that online and app learning will not assist people to take up classes in future: \u2018Apps have revolutionized what\u2019s on offer for learners. You can get quite a long way with apps and they can continue to support your learning, even if you later join a class. They incentivize you, send you reminders and introduce competition, allowing you to test yourself.\u2019<\/p>\n
Professor Kohl insists that \u2018language learning thrives on variety of learning styles and options.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Oxford University said people’s interest in learning languages was manifested during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown as the use of language learning applications witnessed a surge. One popular language learning apps has claimed increased usage of more than 200%, while others are reporting new sales up more than 50%. Academics maintain it shows a pent-up interest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":54143,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6029,984],"tags":[8520,8680],"yoast_head":"\n