Shy holiday Britons 'point at menus' to avoid foreign words

BBC News article -

The Populus survey found 37% of British holidaymakers always tried to speak a few words in the local language but 29% said they were too scared to try.
It also found that 36% felt guilty at asking locals to speak English, while:

• 56% resorted to pointing at menus
• 45% relied on the assumption that all locals would speak English
• 42% spoke English more slowly and loudly
• 15% even tried speaking English in a foreign accent 

Previous research by the British Council, the UK's international culture and education organisation, has found that the UK has a shortage of people able to speak the 10 most important world languages, which is likely to hamper the country's future prosperity and global standing.

To read the full article click here.

What languages can I do at JFS?

Chinese Mandarin

普通话

Every Monday after school in room 52, all students welcome. Option to get a GCSE after a few year’s work. Teachers from the Nihao Mandarin language club, special price for JFS students.

Portuguese and Italian

Português and Italiano

Every Monday after school in rooms 54 and 53a for students with already some knowledge to native level speakers of the language. EDEXCEL GCSE and A level option. Very low price, co-financed by the Portuguese and Italian embassies.

Spanish, French and German

Español, Français and Deutsch

Mother tongue students (of the above or any other language if the family can support them in their studies and there is a GCSE available in EDEXCEL exam panels. If Edexcel does not have your language, we can consider other panels) need to speak with Mr. Ordóñez about their GCSE options.

Polish

Polszczyzna

Students are referred to their local Polish school. Please ask Mr. Ordóñez for more details.

Latin

Lingua latina

For year 9 and 10 groups only. There will be a free course in Latin at Trinity School, 4-5pm on Thursdays, commencing on Thursday 21^st of September.