The percentage of Russians who cannot communicate in a “foreign” language when traveling is revealed

Ignorance of languages ​​hinders Russians on foreign tourist trips – this is the conclusion reached by researchers from an international language school and a popular website for selling air tickets. 66% of respondents admitted that at least basic “knowledge of languages” is important to them. 50% of respondents admitted to the presence of a language barrier that interferes with cultural communication, shopping, and interaction with staff.

Judging by the results of the study, our people’s knowledge of languages ​​really leaves much to be desired. That same half of our fellow citizens who cannot communicate “over the hill” even using gestures and pictures on napkins, feel like “Germans”. That is, literally, dumb, as in Russia of the 17th-18th centuries they called foreigners who were “neither be nor me.” Neither understand what was said, nor explain.

Modern domestic “Germans” admit that ignorance of languages ​​leads to many sorrows. There is no opportunity to make foreign acquaintances or establish contact with local residents. A quarter of all problems of “non-speakers” are related to finances: the inability to obtain the necessary product or service. Some respondents said they had been victims of fraud because of this. Other troubles included “the inability to enjoy the cultural component and a lack of understanding of the norms of behavior in the country.”

As expected, English became the most popular language that Russians know at least to some extent – ​​among those who speak a foreign language, 54% speak it at all. The second most popular language was Spanish and, unexpectedly, Chinese – 6% of compatriots learned them. 18% said that “over the hill” they fundamentally speak Russian, 5% believe that ignorance of “foreign” languages ​​should not worry them.

In the Soviet Union, much attention was not paid to language learning – as a result, only a small percentage of the population knew German, English and French at the communication level. Experts believe that this also happened because Russian was presented as interethnic. Children in 14 republics also learned their native language – where do they need a third?

And, of course, there was no incentive in the form of access to foreign language literature, films and other sources of information. The main thing was missing: affordable travel abroad.

Today, foreign language textbooks in schools are strikingly different from Soviet ones; they are colorful, playful, conversational and not overloaded with ideology. With the development of the Internet, international relations, tourism and business, the need for learning languages ​​has increased. But, despite the huge selection of methods and courses, we are still far from being 100% “literate” in English. The British international organization, which evaluates people’s English proficiency in different countries, puts Russia in 41-50th place out of 100 possible.

“Teaching language practices only in courses or using textbooks is, of course, outdated,” says Georgy Sysoev, a teacher of English and French at the university and Unified State Exam tutor. – Now the immersive approach with immersion in the language environment is leading everywhere. Traveling to a country where the target language is spoken and communicating with native speakers is the best thing. If this is not possible, there is online communication in any desired format. Watching films, reading books in the language. A language requires cramming is also not new. It is advisable to do reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice every day at the same time period. Use simulators, applications, online courses, audiobooks and other online resources as actively as possible, many of which are now free. And, of course, practice conversational communication.

In order to prevent the language from rusting, the expert recommends speaking a foreign language every day, even for a few minutes, but regularly. Again, watching films, listening to music, reading books or watching bloggers – this is where the living modern language is. Don’t be disconnected from the environment. It would be ideal to participate in language clubs, chats, communities: it will help you not to lose practice, communicate, and maintain language skills in the long term.

As we know from history, the study of several foreign and sometimes even dead languages ​​has traditionally been an element of high society education. And today elite schools are required to teach languages.

It is believed that the opportunity to explain oneself here is even secondary. Two, three or more “linguals” help to become citizens of the world and understand other cultures, traditions and customs. Among the advantages of knowledge of languages ​​are also mentioned career opportunities in international corporations, intellectual development, and expansion of cultural horizons. It has also been proven that learning languages ​​improves communication skills, self-esteem, and self-confidence.

From a scientific point of view, it is most useful to learn a foreign language when you are young and old. Neuropsychologists say that similar schemes work in both cases, but only in schoolchildren does language develop the brain, and in the elderly it also prevents dementia.

Learning languages ​​activates parts of the human brain that “pump up” cognitive skills. Memory, attention, concentration, goal setting. But that’s not all: linguistics also promotes brain plasticity. The brain literally changes its structure and functioning in response to these new experiences. Which, in turn, protects it from cognitive aging.

Medical research has shown that people who engage in lifelong language learning have a lower risk of dementia. And they improve not only their ordinary intelligence, but also their so-called emotional intelligence: empathy, tolerance, communication skills. Which has a beneficial effect on communication in the family, in the wider society, in the native language environment.