Decline in French and German ‘is threat to economy’
The number of Scottish schoolchildren choosing to study foreign languages at Higher level is falling, and experts warn that the trend could leave Scotland adrift in the global economy. Figures from the Scottish Qualifications Authority show that since 2003 the number sitting Higher French has fallen from nearly 4900 to 4287, while those sitting Higher German have fallen from 1900 candidates to under 1400. Other languages, including Italian and Spanish, have not seen such dramatic falls. However, the uptake of subjects such as physical education, music and drama is rising, suggesting that young people are shying away from language options in favor of arts and social science subjects at Higher level.
Concerns about Career Opportunities
Although foreign languages are now taught in Scottish schools from primary six, experts say the fall-off in subjects such as French could harm students' careers and leave a generation without key skills. In 2001, the Scottish Executive introduced an "entitlement" for pupils to get 500 hours of foreign language tuition before they leave school. However, taking a language is not compulsory, and since then the overall numbers of language candidates at Standard Grade and Higher levels has fallen 13%. Tim Steward, former honorary president of the Scottish Association of Language Teaching and head of Language Network Scotland, said the trend was "very concerning".
The Importance of Language Skills in a Global Economy
"If Scotland wants to play in a global economy, we have to get more young people into languages, and soon. If our kids are persuaded that languages are unimportant, then they are very much mistaken," he said. "Young people from other countries are multilingual and have clear competitive advantages." Steward added that the entitlement was "not working well". "In Scotland, we talk about having an entitlement, but not an insistence. We are at the point where we need to ask if 14-year-olds really know what their best career choices are. I'm sure that allowing them to drop languages at an early stage because they are 'hard' is not doing them any favors."
Call for a Change in Culture
Professor Joe Farrell, head of modern languages at the University of Strathclyde, agrees. "The entitlement is a step down from what we had before - the status of foreign language teaching has been downplayed. Having a language is about being financially, culturally, socially, and politically smart about the world, and far too many Scots are leaving school with nothing or next to nothing in terms of language ability. There needs to be a change in the culture."
Potential Two-Tier System
Although the independent school sector teaches just 4.2% of Scottish pupils, in French and German they make up 15% of candidates and 19.2% in Higher Spanish. Steward warned that this was risking the creation of a two-tier system. CBI Scotland's assistant director, David Lonsdale, echoed his comments, saying: "These latest findings ought to be seen as a wake-up call for all those with a stake in improving our skills base. It is a trend our economy can ill afford."
The Importance of Language Skills in the Hotel Industry
In addition to the impact on the overall economy, the decline in French and German skills among Scottish schoolchildren could have a significant effect on the hospitality and hotel industry. With a decline in language skills, hotels may struggle to communicate effectively with international guests. The ability to speak multiple languages, particularly French and German, is highly valued in the hotel industry as it allows for better customer service and improved communication with guests from different countries.
Hotels often employ multilingual staff to ensure that guests feel welcomed and well-cared for during their stay. The ability to converse in the guests' native language helps create a positive and personalized experience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and repeat business. Without a proficient knowledge of languages, hotels may struggle to provide the level of service that international guests expect.
In addition to customer service, language skills are also essential in hotel management and operations. Many international hotel chains have headquarters or branches in French and German-speaking countries, making language proficiency a valuable asset for aspiring hotel managers and executives. Being able to communicate effectively with colleagues and partners in different countries facilitates collaboration and strengthens business relationships.
Furthermore, speaking French and German allows hotel employees to better understand the cultural nuances and preferences of guests from these countries. This enables hotels to tailor their services and amenities to meet the specific needs and expectations of these guests, providing a more personalized and enjoyable experience.
In conclusion, the decline in French and German skills among Scottish schoolchildren poses a threat not only to the overall economy but also to the hospitality and hotel industry. Encouraging young people to pursue language studies and investing in language education is crucial to ensure that Scotland remains competitive in the global economy and that its hotels can continue to provide exceptional service to international guests.