Author: European Commission
Publisher: European Commission
Date of Publication: September 2012
Series Title: Key Data
Key messages:
- Children are starting to learn foreign languages at an increasingly early age in Europe, with most pupils beginning when they are 6-9 years old.
- The amount of teaching time students receive has not significantly increased. Indeed, teaching time dedicated to foreign languages is rather low compared to other subjects.
- An increasing number of pupils now learn two languages for at least one year during compulsory education.
- English is by far the most taught foreign language in nearly all European countries, with French, Spanish, German and Russian following far behind.