Foreign languages threatened by English

CBS co-organising a conference on foreign languages

English has become the dominating international language and therefore also the dominating foreign language within the educational system. This is a big challenge for Denmark, if it wants to cope with globalisation, state the people behind a language conference at CBS.

At the conference "Language in the World - Language in Frederiksberg", a number of language teachers from different educational establishments in Frederiksberg, including CBS, will take part. The underlying question is: "How can we create renewed interest in foreign languages?"

CBS: English is not enough

From CBS, Mette Skovgaard Andersen, from the Department of International Culture and Communication Studies is participating. She believes that it is not enough to be able to speak English, partly because a number of countries have other languages as their first foreign language and partly because many companies are not competent in English. Finally, Denmark loses out on the increased value that it had earlier by specialising in foreign languages.

According to Mette Skovgaard Andersen, the responsibility for this unfortunate development is shared by many.

- The educational politics over the last several years, which have particularly intensified with the government's educational policies, make the conditions for any language education apart from English nearly impossible. In addition, foreign languages suffer from the fact that companies are not willing to pay for language competencies and don't regard them as competencies in themselves, explains Mette Skovgaard Andersen.

Language and cultural awareness necessary for trade

These concerns are shared with Iørn Korzen, professor at CBS, who emphasizes the business disadvantages for Denmark of the dominating position of English as a foreign language.

The problem is that a lot of trade, with, for example, Italian small and medium businesses, is limited because the companies' employees typically can only use their own mother tongue.

- In order to be ready to trade with these countries, to know what to do and in particular, what not to do, it is compellingly necessary-in addition to being able to speak the language-to have a thorough knowledge of the culture and business life, writes Iørn Korzen in a letter in Politiken on Thursday, 18th September.

The conference "Language in the World-Language in Frederiksberg" is a part of CBS' anniversary programme. It takes place Monday, 24th September in Dalgas Have 15 (room SC.033).

The participating schools are: Johannesskolen, Frederiksberg Gymnasium, Frederiksberg Seminarium, and CBS.

You can register for the conference with Vivi Rønne, CBS: vr.iadh@cbs.dk