英国青少年外语能力在欧洲最差
文章来源:未知 文章作者:enread 发布时间:2013-02-18 08:07 字体: [ ]  进入论坛
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
最近一项研究显示,英国青少年的外语能力在14个欧洲国家中排名最后,被指陷入 “单一语言主义的恶性循环”。
 
British teenagers are trapped in a "vicious circle(恶性循环) 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 Competences1 (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 dearth2(缺乏) of necessary skills forced British employers to "sidestep language issues", removing incentives3 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 Mandarin4, 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.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 competences 276320f9b93f949417193d7d62d4b392     
能力(competence的复数形式)
参考例句:
  • Objective To evaluate the clinical competences among undergraduate nursing students before graduation. 目的评价本科实习护生毕业时所具备的实际临床能力。
  • Organisational can be the basis of corn competences underpinning competitive advantage. 组织文化(指企业等经济组织里的文化)是支持竞争优势的核心力量的基础。
2 dearth dYOzS     
n.缺乏,粮食不足,饥谨
参考例句:
  • There is a dearth of good children's plays.目前缺少优秀的儿童剧。
  • Many people in that country died because of dearth of food.那个国家有许多人因为缺少粮食而死。
3 incentives 884481806a10ef3017726acf079e8fa7     
激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 ); 刺激; 诱因; 动机
参考例句:
  • tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
  • Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者,提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
4 Mandarin TorzdX     
n.中国官话,国语,满清官吏;adj.华丽辞藻的
参考例句:
  • Just over one billion people speak Mandarin as their native tongue.大约有十亿以上的人口以华语为母语。
  • Mandarin will be the new official language of the European Union.普通话会变成欧盟新的官方语言。
TAG标签: English languages Europe
发表评论
请自觉遵守互联网相关的政策法规,严禁发布色情、暴力、反动的言论。
评价:
表情:
验证码:点击我更换图片