Figures for foreign language learning in different EU countries Assignment

Figures for foreign language learning in different EU countries - Assignment Example Languages are vital and need attention if the commission is to achieve capacity to increase productivity. Poor language skills, on the other hand, create obstacles to free movement of workers. People who cannot use foreign languages cannot secure cross-border employment that accelerates the home country’s ability to earn foreign exchange. English is becoming the first foreign language in the European Union. Kelly (2013) noted that English is the most taught foreign language, both in Europe and the world at large, because it plays a key role in daily life. Other foreign languages have also been identified as the primary accelerators towards the achievement of the European Commission’s 2020 plan. Therefore, member states make teaching and learning of foreign languages significantly more effective by ensuring proper quantity, quality, focus, guidance and monitoring. Kelly (2013) used secondary data methodology in carrying out his research study. In this method, the researcher collected data from available sources such as news articles, the European Union publications, and progress reports of ongoing foreign language learning projects. The main disadvantage of using secondary data methodology is that errors from the original data collection may be reflected in the current study. News articles are sometimes criticised because of lack of objective foundation for the data; information aired in the news are not researched well, but depend on public opinions. European Union publications are the most accurate sources of information that the author used to come up with the results. This is because the commission employs highly experienced researchers and data collected must be filtered to ascertain validity and reliability. The research study by Liepa and Ratniece (2013) focused on development of a model for studying a foreign language based on integrated language acquisition. The problem identified by Liepa and Ratniece (2013) in their research constituted