Britain among worst countries in world for learning foreign language, OECD report reveals

Britain is one of the worst countries in the world for learning a foreign language, an OECD report has revealed.

Among 79 countries, the UK ranked in the bottom four when it came to hours dedicated to perfecting second language skills in secondary schools.

Pupils reported spending an average of 1.7 hours a week on foreign language learning, according to the 2018 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.   Only Australia (1.2), New Zealand (1.2) and Brunei Darussalam (1.6) ranked below.

Experts have suggested that Britain may have fallen prey to "winner's curse"; because English is spoken all over the world, Britons have historically seen little point in learning a second language.

Another explanation is that the Government scrapped the compulsory study of languages at GCSE level in 2004.

The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has since said this decision should be reversed, calling it a "big mistake".

Just 32 per cent of 15 to 30 year olds from the UK can read and write in two or more languages (including their first), according to the think tank.

The OECD's report said there are "considerable disparities" between schools across the world when it comes to having enough teachers and access to teaching resources.

Some 27 per cent of students were enrolled in schools whose headteacher reported that learning is hindered by a lack of teaching staff.

In addition, only 54 per cent of students attended a school where an effective online learning platform is available to them.

In the majority of schools where there were fewer shortages of teaching resources, students scored higher in reading, the data also revealed.

"PISA 2018 results show considerable disparities between advantaged and disadvantaged schools related to shortages of education staff and material resources, including digital resources," the report states.

"Ensuring that all schools have adequate and high-quality material resources, and the appropriate support, is key if students from all backgrounds are to be given equal opportunities to learn and succeed at school."

The OECD surveyed 600,000 students to compile their report. The students represent about 32 million 15-year-olds in the schools of the 79 participating countries and economies.