So English teenagers rank the lowest in second-language aptitude, according to a recent study comparing students from 14 different European countries.

Does this matter? Readers have commented that, because English is the predominant language of global communication, English students are less compelled to learn foreign languages.

With the global ESL [English as a Second Language] industry booming, what motivates native English speakers to study foreign languages?Linguists have studied motivation and language learning for decades. We can broadly categorise motivation into two types: integrative and instrumental. Here’s a quick look at what those terms actually mean. More >>