With the continuing expansion of the European Union and increasing globalisation, knowledge of a foreign language and foreign language learning skills are becoming more and more important.

UK businesses need people with language skills, and many companies cite communication and language skills as essential when recruiting new staff. In September 2008 in an article entitled “Learn languages or lose out on a job” in The Observer newspaper, Leonard Orban, the EU commissioner for languages warned, “British graduates are missing out on some of the best jobs at home and abroad because they are on the whole monolingual.”

It is now possible to study languages at university with a host of other subjects: eg Law, Engineering, Media, Tourism, and Business among others. On specialist language degrees the course content varies greatly from the more traditional literature and language courses to those concentrating on translation, interpreting, film, business language, linguistics, history and contemporary studies among others.

Here are some comments by some current AS and A2 French and German students at Thirsk Sixth Form College about their Modern Languages courses:

“Learning a language broadens your range of skills immensely and can prepare you for many types of careers. The teachers are very encouraging and are always happy to help. I would recommend A level French to anyone with enthusiasm.”

“I consider the subject to be extremely relevant in both social and business environments which I may encounter in the future.”

“German is great because you can really see how the language works and how to form it. It’s like LEGO. Except with words.”

“The topics covered in my speaking test were interesting, and I was pleased that I was able to discuss them. I never thought I would be able to discuss anorexia and bulimia.”

“I feel that after taking AS German, I could successfully engage in conversation with a German.”

“Speaking lessons have been really good fun, and I think it has been a really rewarding experience.”