Learning a language came third in the wish list of UK adults in a recent survey. So how come language study has been in decline in schools and universities and people continue to rely on English to get them through life, all this at a time when demand from industry and business has been consistently high? Global movements of people and goods call for language and intercultural competence of people wherever they are – at work and in the community, at every level of employment and language ability.

Klaus-Dieter will present figures, current research and personal reflections on why languages matter and why they matter to everyone. He’ll also address persistent myths about language learning and present some good reasons for learning languages and learning about cultures. As a language learner himself (over four decades), he knows it is hard work, but also fun, enjoyable and always rewarding.