Publisher's Synopsis
This survey of 25,000 students of foreign languages in the UK and six other European countries provides up-to-date statistics on the students' age, sex, language and family background, on their proficiency levels, and on their courses of study. The psychological profile which emerges encompassses students' motivation, attitudes, anxiety, ambitions, and their views on the skills needed in the world of work.;The analysis of the data addresses such issues as student proficiency and progress, teaching and testing, and the factors which relate to successful language learning. It raises the questions: are there really national standards in language training?; are our graduates receiving appropriate preparation for employment?; what is the value of residence abroad?; what is the link between language teaching and language learning?; how do British language students compare with their European counterparts?;The book is suitable for university language departments, decision-makers in HE, careers officers, students and their parents, and employers of language graduates. It also offers insights to applied linguists in the areas of immersion, motivation, language anxiety and advanced language learning.