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Are We Language-Ready For Beijing 2008?

2007 July, 25

The UK and China may not be ready to break the language barriers in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

According to Ethnologue data, Mandarin is spoken by more than a billion people worldwide, compared to an estimated 600 million users of English, and while English business transactions still account for 28 per cent of the world’s GDP, Mandarin is fast becoming a serious contender at 23 per cent.

Peggy Lohmann, spokeswoman for Rosetta Stone, the world’s leading language learning software, commented: “With the 2008 Olympic Games looming large on the horizon and with the influx of visitors this will bring to China, it is vital to consider the implications. Despite the common assumption that English is spoken everywhere, it is still notoriously difficult to get by in China without even a basic grasp of Mandarin.”

In 2001, China introduced English as a compulsory subject in primary schools nationwide.

Peggy continued: “This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, but in reality, many schools outside the main cities and towns are providing only the basics. Considering the breadth of Chinese workers who are involved in the Olympics, from translators and government officials to builders and taxi drivers, it would be naive to assume that eight years of compulsory tuition will fully prepare the country for the influx of nationalities and languages they will face in 2008.”

Figures released by the European Commission show that 50 per cent of EU residents speak at least one language other than their mother tongue. Many member states claim second or third language proficiency for more than 80 or 90 per cent of the population. The UK lags well behind with only 30 per cent of people speaking a language other than English.

Children in the UK do not have the same opportunities to learn languages as their European counterparts. In 2004, the government ceased compulsory language education in secondary schools past the age of 14. This means that upon graduation most young people in the UK have no knowledge of any language other than English, because if a language is not practiced it’s as good as lost.

Peggy added: “Although more and more UK educational institutions are beginning to introduce Mandarin as an option, it is still extremely rare as a compulsory subject. While both China and the UK are making moves towards learning each other’s languages, they both still have a long way to go.

“As time becomes ever more valuable in modern society and people look for flexible solutions for personal and professional development, e-learning, either as a stand-alone option or alongside classroom based learning, looks set to provide the answer.”