A language learners’ forum

The final section of this chapter investigates the ways in which Europeans have ever learnt a foreign language, and, from the methods they have used, which they perceive to be the most effective way of learning a foreign language. The most common way foreign languages are learnt is at school. Two thirds of Europeans (68%) have learnt a language in this way. Other methods are much less widely adopted. Respondents were presented with various different ways of learning a foreign language and asked which they had ever used. Respondents were able to mention as many ways as applied to them25.The most widespread methodused by Europeans to learn a foreign language is through lessons at school. Just over two thirds of Europeans (68%)mention that they have learnt a foreign language in this way. All other ways of learning are mentioned by much smaller proportions of people. Around one in six Europeans say they have learnt a foreign language by talking informally to a native speaker (16%), with a teacher outside school in group language lessons (15%)and by going on frequent or long tripsto the country in which the language is spoken (15%).Around one in eight Europeans say they have taught themselves by reading books (12%), by using audio-visual materials, such as CDs or DVDs (11%)and by watching films/television orlistening to the radio (11%).A similar proportion (12%)mention learning a foreign language using conversation lessons with a native speaker, and a slightly smaller proportion by means of ‘one to one’ lessons with a teacher (9%).Europeans are least likely to have learnt a foreign language by teaching themselves online (6%)and through a language course in the countrywhere the language is spoken (7%). A fifth (19%)of Europeans say they have not used any of the methodsfor learning a foreign language.