This document discusses the importance of languages and provides statistics about the languages spoken in different parts of Europe and the UK. It notes that Spanish is the most commonly spoken language in the EU at 24% of native speakers, followed by English, German, Italian and French. It also states that over 300 languages are spoken by young people in England, over 100 languages in Scotland and over 90 languages in Wales. The document suggests learning a language can give you an edge in your career.

1. Why are languages important?

2. Languages are important because...It’s a multilingual world…Test your knowledge - Languages of the European UnionMatch the language to the percentage of its native speakers in the EUAll othersEspañolFrançaisNederlands11%11%Deutsch6%ItalianoEspañolDeutsch24%Italiano16%EnglishNederlandsAll others16%16%FrançaisEnglish

3. Languages are important because...It’s a multilingual world…Test your knowledge – Closer to homeDo you know how many different languages are spoken by young people inEngland…300 languagesScotland…104 languagesWales… 98 languages8? 19? 39? 98? 104? 144? 251? 300?

4. Languages are important because...It’s a multilingual world…Test your knowledge – Even closer to homeDo you know how many different languages are spoken in your school?43 languages8? 15? 43? 97? 108?

5. Pyramid of PowerWhat is the most important reason for learning a language?

6. Give yourself the edge… they did!Match the names on the left to the degrees on the right:J. K. RowlingAuthor (Harry Potter)Chinese Language and Culture(1990)J. K. RowlingAuthor (Harry Potter)Chinese Language and Culture(1990)Paula RadcliffeAthleteEuropean Studies(1982)Paula RadcliffeAthleteEuropean Studies(1982)French and German(1983)Lucy LiuFilm starLucy LiuFilm starFrench and German(1983)Jonathan RossTV and Radio PresenterModern European Studies(1996)Modern European Studies(1996)Jonathan RossTV and Radio PresenterRory Bremner ComedianGreek and Latin(1999)Rory BremnerComedianGreek and Latin(1999)Fiona BruceNewsreaderFrench and Classics(1987)French and Classics(1987)Fiona BruceNewsreaderMedieval and Modern Languages(1983)Chris MartinMusician (Coldplay)Chris MartinMusician (Coldplay)Medieval and Modern Languages(1983)Nigella LawsonTV ChefFrench and Italian(1986)French and Italian(1986)Nigella LawsonTV Chef