最近一項(xiàng)研究顯示，英國(guó)青少年的外語(yǔ)能力在14個(gè)歐洲國(guó)家中排名最后，被指陷入 “單一語(yǔ)言主義的惡性循環(huán)”。此次研究對(duì)14個(gè)歐洲國(guó)家青少年的第一外語(yǔ)閱讀、寫(xiě)作和聽(tīng)力能力進(jìn)行了測(cè)試。結(jié)果顯示，法語(yǔ)為第一外語(yǔ)的英國(guó)青少年中只有11%能夠用法語(yǔ)寫(xiě)作，在歐洲各國(guó)中排名最后；而在法語(yǔ)閱讀能力排名靠前的青少年中，英國(guó)只占9.2%，依然排在最后。此次測(cè)試中，外語(yǔ)閱讀、聽(tīng)力和寫(xiě)作能力俱佳的學(xué)生來(lái)自于瑞典、馬耳他以及荷蘭。英語(yǔ)作為第一外語(yǔ)的法國(guó)學(xué)生表現(xiàn)也不佳，位列倒數(shù)第二。英國(guó)社會(huì)科學(xué)院副院長(zhǎng)表示，語(yǔ)言不但在教育健康發(fā)展和科研中起到關(guān)鍵的作用，對(duì)英國(guó)的競(jìng)爭(zhēng)力、個(gè)人以及整個(gè)社會(huì)也很重要。英國(guó)社科院發(fā)布的一份報(bào)告稱(chēng)，目前英國(guó)只專(zhuān)注于法語(yǔ)、西班牙語(yǔ)和德語(yǔ)等三門(mén)外語(yǔ)的學(xué)習(xí)已不足以滿足其全球經(jīng)濟(jì)往來(lái)的需求，普通話、阿拉伯語(yǔ)及俄語(yǔ)等語(yǔ)言也要加入進(jìn)來(lái)，土耳其語(yǔ)、波斯語(yǔ)和波蘭語(yǔ)等也不能忽視。去年，英國(guó)政府首次宣布強(qiáng)制政策，要求所有小學(xué)從兒童7歲時(shí)開(kāi)設(shè)一門(mén)外語(yǔ)課，這一政策將從明年起開(kāi)始實(shí)施。目前，英國(guó)有十分之一的小學(xué)沒(méi)有開(kāi)設(shè)外語(yǔ)課。

British teenagers are trapped in a "vicious circle of monolingualism", a report warned recently as figures showed English youngsters are among the worst in Europe at foreign languages.

British teenagers are trapped in a "vicious circle of monolingualism", a report warned recently as figures showed English youngsters are among the worst in Europe at foreign languages.

Teenagers in 14 different European countries were tested on their ability to speak the first foreign language taught in schools, which for England was French.

In reading, writing and listening tests, English pupils were ranked bottom.

The study suggests youngsters are lagging far behind their European peers, with many unable to understand more than basic words or phrases.

Just 11 percent of English pupils studying French were considered "independent users" in writing – the lowest in Europe for a first foreign language. In comparison, across all countries, two-fifths of students were at this level.

Only 9.2 percent were ranked in the top category for French reading – again, the lowest in Europe for a first foreign language.

The highest performers overall, based on reading, listening and writing skills, were Sweden, Malta and the Netherlands, the research found.

But France, where students' English skills were tested, also performed badly, perfoming second-worst in all three disciplines.

The study, conducted as part of the European Survey on Language Competences (ESLC) was released on the same day a new report from the British Academy found that the UK's poor foreign language skills were hurting the economy.

The British Academy report said a "vicious circle of monolingualism" was taking place, as the dearth of necessary skills forced British employers to "sidestep language issues", removing incentives for new language students.

"It is clear that the UK still has a long way to go in order to catch up with our European neighbors and international competitors," said Professor Nigel Vincent, Vice-President of the British Academy. "Languages are vital for the health and wellbeing of the education and research base, for UK competitiveness, and for individuals and society at large."

It also found that the current focus on French, Spanish and German was too narrow to meet modern global business needs.

"Indications of future demand show that a growing number of languages will be needed as the UK expands its global connections and responds to new economic realities," it says. "These include not only world languages such as Mandarin, Arabic and Russian – but also Turkish, Farsi and Polish."

Last year the Government announced that for the first time all primary school children will have to learn a foreign language from age seven. Currently about one in ten state primary schools offers no language lessons at all and a further 20 percent only offer it to some year groups, according to the most recent official figures.

The move to make languages a requirement from age seven will take effect next year.

(Source: Telegraph.co.uk)

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（中國(guó)日?qǐng)?bào)網(wǎng)英語(yǔ)點(diǎn)津 Helen ）