Are Americans & Brits Lazy Language Learners?
- josh
- Feb 7
- 2 min read
Being a British person with an interest in learning different languages is often regarded as a rarity. Brits and Americans are not the first demographics that spring to mind when thinking about multi-lingual people. In fact, approximately 65% of Europeans can speak in a second language, compared to in the US, where only 20% can. (1) However, is this statistic evidence of laziness or is it due to the fact that English is the dominant global language and therefore US & British citizens have no need to acquire a second language.
Historical Context
As mentioned in the introduction, the UK and the US share a common tongue, English. English is a language that dominates our ever globalised world, which can lead to a lack of motivation on the part of native English speakers to learn additional languages. However, as a Brit, I do find it extremely embarrassing when my fellow citizens don't even attempt to learn the basics of a foreign language, particularly when they're visiting foreign countries. In places such as Benidorm, Spain, it is estimated that 50% of the town's population is comprised of people with British heritage (2), and while I am sure many Brits do learn Spanish when living there, I am sure that many do not!
Education Systems
Many schools in the UK do teach foreign languages. However, most people will tell you that despite taking 5 years of French in school, many of them can now barely remember the difference between 'bonjour' and 'la plage' (this might be an exaggeration), but our foreign language departments are a shambles! The lessons are often tedious and lacking in any excitement. Students only recite speech from a coursebook and memorise just about enough vocabulary to pass an exam. That is all.
Conclusion - So, are the Brits and Americans lazy?
Well, while some may perceive Brits and Americans as lazy in regard to language learning, it is essential to consider the broader social, cultural, and educational contexts that influence language acquisition. It's the duty of the government to change the way people look at language learning. There are plenty of reasons to acquire a second language, whether that be for a holiday or due to a desire to learn more about a particular culture and it requires a huge shift of approach in the education system.
Sources Mentioned
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