In today's interconnected world, the importance of knowing foreign languages cannot be overstated. With Brexit in full swing, the British government is keen to enhance its foreign language capabilities to maintain its global position. But which languages are considered as most beneficial to the government?
Mandarin Chinese is expected to be a top priority for the British government in 2023. China's economy continues to grow rapidly, and the country is increasingly becoming a major player on the global stage, especially when it comes to Science and Technology. As a result, the demand for Mandarin speakers is on the rise. The British government is keen to capitalize on this trend and ensure that the UK can build strong economic and diplomatic ties with China.
Spanish is also expected to continue to be an important language for government in the future. With Spain being one of the largest economies in the EU and a key trading partner of the UK, it is essential that the British government is able to communicate effectively with its Spanish counterparts. Spanish is also the second-most spoken language in the world, making it a valuable asset in the global market, and useful for government consular assistance.
Germany is the largest economy in the EU and an important trading partner of the UK, as well as being a key NATO ally. The UK and Germany have a close diplomatic relationship, meaning a good understanding of the German language is essential for diplomatic communication and building strong relationships between the two nations. Additionally, Germany is home to some of the world's leading universities, and proficiency in German can open up many opportunities for British students.
Finally, Arabic is expected to be an important language for the British government in 2023. With ongoing political uncertainty in parts of the Middle East, the ability to speak Arabic can be a valuable asset for diplomats and policymakers. Additionally, Arabic is the fifth-most spoken language in the world, meaning businesses will continue to seek out Arabic speakers.
In summary, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, German, and Arabic are expected to be the most important foreign languages for the British government in 2023. The British Council also identified that French is in the top five priority languages to improve the UK’s skills, security and influence in the world and as a French speaker myself, I'd have to agree. These are some of the languages the Department for Education (Dfe)'s Languages Hubs programme is promoting the teaching of in UK schools, based on the British Council's recommendations.
Learning a foreign language can greatly benefit civil servants, and provide a range of opportunities and advantages in their professional careers. We provide various learning solutions to government departments, including our Whitehall Languages programme, offering small group virtual lessons delivered by expert teachers with a background in teaching language for government.
About the author:
Corinne is a CELTA-qualified English language teacher and has experience setting up and managing language training programmes for the government and corporate firms, including the Foreign Office's large scale language training programme for Diplomats. |
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