Divided by Language

***Divided by language*** is an outcome of a project started in 1999. NIACE carried out a survey of language learning as part of evidence to be provided to the Nuffield Inquiry (2000) into modern languages, which reported that 'capability in other languages is crucially important for a flourishing UK'. Language learning is often seen as the backbone of traditional evening class provision, and NIACE was keen to see how far this penetrated the population as a whole. Research for The Learning Divide Revisited by Naomi Sargant (published by NIACE in 2000) revealed that seven per cent of the UK population were studying foreign languages, with a further one per cent studying English as a foreign or second language. Divided by language demonstrates that there is real interest in language learning in England and Wales, contrary to popular belief. People are able to and do, in fact, use other languages in their daily lives. The report also shows the richness of the diversity of languages used, at all levels, in Britain today. The survey highlights the fact that language learners in Britain's minority ethnic groups have fluency and ability to learn languages.One of the questions which this f