The Market for Foreign Language Learning
Today I want to give you some information about the world of languages and the development of second language learning. There is an interesting study from David Graddol, ‘English Next’ (British Council, 2006) which gives a good analysis of the future of languages. I’ll try to summarize some of the findings here below.
Economic, demographic and cultural changes have driven the development of foreign language education, not only English as the world’s primary language for international communication, but also other growing languages such as Spanish, Arabic or Mandarin and spreading of languages as Japanese, French and German. The Internet has made the world smaller, technology enabling new patterns of communication in ways which also have implications for language learning.
The massive increase in the number of people learning English is likely to reach a peak of around 2 billion in the next 10–15 years, with a significant increase coming from Chinese students, estimated now at around 250 million English learners, increasing of about 20 million per year.
Also other languages, including lesser-used languages, are now proliferating, and Mandarin and Spanish are challenging English in some territories for educational resources and policy attention.
The attractiveness of Mandarin to learners across the world is growing, and language schools in many countries are expanding their provision to include it. In many Asian countries, in Europe and USA, Mandarin has emerged as the new must-have language.
An estimated 30 million people are already studying Mandarin worldwide, and China very ambitious goal is to have 100 million foreigners studying Mandarin by end 2010. The Chinese government now actively supports the growing interest worldwide in learning Chinese as a foreign or second language through a program- Hanban- and a worldwide network of ‘Confucius Institutes’.
Spanish has grown to be roughly the same size as English in terms of native-speakers, and may overtake it. The language is growing in economic importance in both Latin America and the United States, challenging English in some parts of the USA. Brazil, one of the most important new economies outside India and China, passed a law in July 2005 requiring all secondary schools in the country to offer Spanish courses, allowing students to choose it as an alternative to English..
Arabic is growing, demographically, faster than any other world language. The generation of Arabic speakers now growing up will determine its future as a world language. Spoken Arabic is likely to acquire a more transnational standard form as Al Jazeera and similar international agencies provide a model equivalent to ‘BBC English’.
Smaller languages are also becoming increasingly interesting. Also, due to limited availability of native teachers they very well suit the online teaching medium.
So, which language do you want to learn now?
September 30th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Thanks for your interesting review. Learning foreign languages indeed has become hot and will be over the years as intercultural contacts intensify. The Netherlands always had a strong tradition of learning foreign languages but in late years changes in educational programs had a negative influence on the linguistic knowledge among young students. Limited availability of French and German teachers is indeed a fact now in the Netherlands
October 1st, 2007 at 5:14 am
Hi Ernst,
thanks for your comments and yes, you touch the right point.
Even a Country as Holland is currently having problems with the most current languages. The problem then gets magnified for countries who have not been traditionally strong in languages, and for all those new languages that are becoming increasingly important (like Mandarin).
The initial idea in fact came from my own experience. Last year I was trying to learn Mandarin, but didn’t really find a solution suitable for me in Amsterdam. And if there is not in Amsterdam, there surely isn’t in other parts of Holland.
That is why we believe Myngle will offer the solution by matching the demand in the different countries with the abundant supply of teachers living in their native countries.
January 19th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Hello I got a question and I may need your help.
I am doing a business project for my school and it is about the demand or market of English and foreign language education in my state.
Before doing the research for my state, I would like to know more about the market in the US. So, I am interested how you get the numbers for English and foreign language learners. Please let me know where you got the related information.
You may reply me here or email to me. Thank you very very much.
Erica
March 15th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Mandarin is very important and provides a cultural insight into China and doing business in China… The best site I have seen so far is http://www.AskBenny.Cn. They seem to be providing everything for FREE… Videos, Audios and PDF!
September 29th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Very interesting indeed. Do you have any numbers on the no. of students in the US learning foreign languages or $$ revenue in the US foreign language industry? I am doing a project in this area and would appreciate any indicators that you are able to provide for market size.
Thanks
Anu
January 26th, 2010 at 5:46 am
I read you article with great interest. Where can I obtain data that quantifies the size, trends, factors affecting, learning solutions available, etc. regarding the acquisition of a second language? Firstly, my interest is non-English target languages i.e. American English to Spanish, American English to Arabic etc. What data supports the statements that you provide in your blog.
Much thanks.
June 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Very Good site, thank yo mister, it’s help’s me!
September 8th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
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November 9th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Thanks for the article, though it was published 4 years ago. It was definitely very helpful.
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