{"id":2146938,"date":"2026-09-15T08:15:52","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T05:15:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2146938"},"modified":"2026-09-15T08:15:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T05:15:52","slug":"most-europeans-say-a-second-language-is-useful-not-everyone-can-actually-speak-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2146938","title":{"rendered":"Most Europeans say a second language is useful. Not everyone can actually speak one"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_812d2aaa-7903-5184-8e37-58d4112826e9-9912348.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926132-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2926132\" data-cid=\"9915415\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926132-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/54\/15\/189x106_cmsv2_03949176-ed56-554d-8853-640e42a25005-9915415.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Palestinian civil defense crews carry a body from the rubble of a collapsed building that housed displaced Palestinians and was heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas war\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 12 dead and dozens missing after building collapse in Gaza City\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926116-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926116\" data-cid=\"9915347\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926116-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/47\/189x106_cmsv2_3884d8fe-53da-55d6-b516-159ce97b0b13-9915347.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A temporary pool glows blue amidst the industrial backdrop of the world heritage former Zollverein coking plant in Essen, Germany, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen\u2019s heatwave plan comes as Europe runs out of time\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926107-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926107\" data-cid=\"9915290\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926107-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/52\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_ef47a6a0-99dc-5885-b343-3393fc0b85a0-9915290.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks at a news conference after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, 15 Sept. 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bitcoin drops after US Senate blocks landmark crypto bill\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926115-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926115\" data-cid=\"9915346\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926115-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/46\/189x106_cmsv2_730392be-a882-584a-a89a-10a45e2f1f6f-9915346.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rosewood Hong Kong was just named the best hotel in the world for the second year in a row\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    21 of the world\u2019s 50 Best Hotels for 2026 are in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926132-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2926132\" data-cid=\"9915415\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926132-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/54\/15\/189x106_cmsv2_03949176-ed56-554d-8853-640e42a25005-9915415.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Palestinian civil defense crews carry a body from the rubble of a collapsed building that housed displaced Palestinians and was heavily damaged during the Israel-Hamas war\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    At least 12 dead and dozens missing after building collapse in Gaza City\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926116-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926116\" data-cid=\"9915347\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926116-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/47\/189x106_cmsv2_3884d8fe-53da-55d6-b516-159ce97b0b13-9915347.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A temporary pool glows blue amidst the industrial backdrop of the world heritage former Zollverein coking plant in Essen, Germany, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen\u2019s heatwave plan comes as Europe runs out of time\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926107-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926107\" data-cid=\"9915290\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926107-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/52\/90\/189x106_cmsv2_ef47a6a0-99dc-5885-b343-3393fc0b85a0-9915290.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks at a news conference after a policy luncheon on Capitol Hill in Washington, 15 Sept. 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bitcoin drops after US Senate blocks landmark crypto bill\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926115-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926115\" data-cid=\"9915346\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926115-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/46\/189x106_cmsv2_730392be-a882-584a-a89a-10a45e2f1f6f-9915346.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rosewood Hong Kong was just named the best hotel in the world for the second year in a row\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    21 of the world\u2019s 50 Best Hotels for 2026 are in Europe\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          My Europe Series<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe in Motion<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Most Europeans say a second language is useful. Not everyone can actually speak one<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"js-playercontrols u-height-full u-position-absolute u-width-full is-autoplaying\" data-translations=\"{&quot;error&quot;:&quot;This video could not be played.&quot;,&quot;geoblocked&quot;:&quot;Sorry, this content is not available in your country&quot;,&quot;slow&quot;:&quot;This is taking longer than usual&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"js-loadtrigger js-loadtrigger__button c-loadtrigger__button\" role=\"status\"><span class=\"js-loadtrigger__label c-loadtrigger__label u-visually-hidden\">Loading the video<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/48\/1536x864_cmsv2_812d2aaa-7903-5184-8e37-58d4112826e9-9912348.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Attitudes towards language learning across Europe\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Attitudes towards language learning across Europe<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspFrances Lopez&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbsp<b>Video by L\u00e9o Arnoux<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789460152\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-15 10:15:52 +02:00\">15\/09\/2026 &#8211; 10:15 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        A YouGov survey of six European countries reveals wide gaps in language fluency, motivation to learn, and views on compulsory language education.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Nearly every European agrees that speaking a second language is a valuable skill \u2014 but a recent survey suggests far fewer can actually do it, with fluency levels varying widely from one country to the next.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>According to a YouGov survey of adults in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, between 87% and 97% across all six countries say learning another language is useful.<\/p>\n<p>Yet when respondents were asked whether they could actually speak a second language fluently, the numbers told a different story.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark recorded the highest rate, with 74% of Danish adults saying they can speak another language fluently. Germany followed at 54%, Spain at 47%, France at 37%, and Italy at 28%.<\/p>\n<p>Britain recorded the lowest rate of the six countries, with one in five adults \u2014 21% \u2014 saying they are fluent in a second language.<\/p>\n<p>The dominance of English as the global language likely plays a role in this. In fact, English is the most common second language spoken among Europeans: between 62% and 93% of those who speak more than one language say they can speak English fluently.<\/p>\n<p>In Britain, a quarter of those who speak another language say they can speak French, followed by Spanish.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-flourish widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">How many Europeans say they can speak another language fluently?<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Why are some people averse to language learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Among those who don&#8217;t speak a second language, the most common explanation, across most of the countries surveyed, was that they have not felt a need to learn one.<\/p>\n<p>Spain was the exception: there, more than a third of non-speakers cited difficulty as the main reason instead.<\/p>\n<p>More than 70% of non-speakers in every country surveyed said they would like to learn a new language, with travel cited as the leading motivation.<\/p>\n<p>English was the language most respondents said they wanted to learn, chosen by as many as 83% across the continent \u2014 the exception, of course, being Britain, where Spanish and French were the most popular choices.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Should language learning be compulsory?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The survey also asked whether respondents believed visitors to their country should speak the local language.<\/p>\n<p>In Italy, Spain and France, between 56% and 72% of respondents said tourists should be expected to do so. In Britain, Germany and Denmark, that figure was between 22% and 39%.<\/p>\n<p>On education, in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, between 82% and 90% of respondents said foreign languages should be compulsory in schools up to the age of 16.<\/p>\n<p>In Britain, 66% said the same. Britons were also the least likely of the six nationalities to describe speaking another language as &#8220;very useful,&#8221; at 46%, compared with between 57% and 70% in the other five countries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Which EU country speaks the best English as a second language? <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Sacrebleu! Speaking more than one language may help slow down ageing, study finds <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Which EU country has the most people learning multiple languages?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Languages<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Education<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Foreign language<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925953-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925953\" data-cid=\"9914566\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925953-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/45\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_3cf265b0-e02b-58a7-bb2f-ab20e3a9c820-9914566.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    Canada, heatwaves and Ceuta: Von der Leyen delivers State of the Union<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925794-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925794\" data-cid=\"9913728\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925794-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/28\/320x180_cmsv2_66345d53-494f-5e6e-b14f-bca2209fa2ec-9913728.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"State of the European Union address.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen calls for pacing frontier AI models<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926111-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926111\" data-cid=\"9915306\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926111-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_31c3a562-1be6-5a33-a20c-17ad45991ef5-9915306.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, speaks with personnel during a visit to the European Emergency Response Coordination Center, 31 August 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen unveils European Heatwave Plan in key speech<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925884-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925884\" data-cid=\"9914278\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925884-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/42\/78\/320x180_cmsv2_4f2b6853-8adf-570a-a22b-9cb8ce3aaf1a-9914278.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A worker adjusts the US and EU flags at the European Council building in Brussels. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US threatens EU with retaliation over European preference in EU budget<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925818-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925818\" data-cid=\"9913871\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925818-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/38\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_8cc88eee-6ad3-5290-a21e-6bd710f7245e-9913871.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" File - President of European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, addresses the media during a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, 17 April 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why is European money financing the American AI boom?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925579-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925579\" data-cid=\"9912800\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany to deploy troops to Lithuania after volunteer shortfall<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2920766-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2920766\" data-cid=\"9890060\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Butter late than never: Paris gets its first boutique entirely dedicated to butter<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925730-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925730\" data-cid=\"9913486\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    United States Space Force says US has weapons in orbit<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925821-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925821\" data-cid=\"9913890\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Danish PM condemns Russian flare attack on helicopter as &#8216;reckless&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2925790-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925790\" data-cid=\"9913712\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    NATO &#8216;committed and ready&#8217; after shooting down drone over Lithuania<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925953-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925953\" data-cid=\"9914566\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925953-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/45\/66\/320x180_cmsv2_3cf265b0-e02b-58a7-bb2f-ab20e3a9c820-9914566.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ursula von der Leyen.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    Canada, heatwaves and Ceuta: Von der Leyen delivers State of the Union<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925794-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925794\" data-cid=\"9913728\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925794-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/37\/28\/320x180_cmsv2_66345d53-494f-5e6e-b14f-bca2209fa2ec-9913728.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"State of the European Union address.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen calls for pacing frontier AI models<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926111-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926111\" data-cid=\"9915306\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926111-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/53\/06\/320x180_cmsv2_31c3a562-1be6-5a33-a20c-17ad45991ef5-9915306.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, speaks with personnel during a visit to the European Emergency Response Coordination Center, 31 August 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen unveils European Heatwave Plan in key speech<br \/>\n  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m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925818\" data-cid=\"9913871\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925818-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/38\/71\/320x180_cmsv2_8cc88eee-6ad3-5290-a21e-6bd710f7245e-9913871.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\" File - President of European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, addresses the media during a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, 17 April 2025.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why is European money financing the American AI boom?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925579-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925579\" 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 <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Nearly every European agrees that speaking a second language is a valuable skill \u2014 but a recent survey suggests far fewer can actually do it, with fluency levels varying widely from one country to the next.According to a YouGov survey of adults in Britain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, between 87% and 97% across all six countries say learning another language is useful.Yet when respondents were asked whether they could actually speak a second language fluently, the numbers told a different story.Denmark recorded the highest rate, with 74% of Danish adults saying they can speak another language fluently. Germany followed at 54%, Spain at 47%, France at 37%, and Italy at 28%.Britain recorded the lowest rate of the six countries, with one in five adults \u2014 21% \u2014 saying they are fluent in a second language.The dominance of English as the global language likely plays a role in this. In fact, English is the most common second language spoken among Europeans: between 62% and 93% of those who speak more than one language say they can speak English fluently.In Britain, a quarter of those who speak another language say they can speak French, followed by Spanish.Why are some people averse to language learning?Among those who don&#8217;t speak a second language, the most common explanation, across most of the countries surveyed, was that they have not felt a need to learn one.Spain was the exception: there, more than a third of non-speakers cited difficulty as the main reason instead.More than 70% of non-speakers in every country surveyed said they would like to learn a new language, with travel cited as the leading motivation.English was the language most respondents said they wanted to learn, chosen by as many as 83% across the continent \u2014 the exception, of course, being Britain, where Spanish and French were the most popular choices.Should language learning be compulsory?The survey also asked whether respondents believed visitors to their country should speak the local language.In Italy, Spain and France, between 56% and 72% of respondents said tourists should be expected to do so. In Britain, Germany and Denmark, that figure was between 22% and 39%.On education, in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, between 82% and 90% of respondents said foreign languages should be compulsory in schools up to the age of 16.In Britain, 66% said the same. Britons were also the least likely of the six nationalities to describe speaking another language as &#8220;very useful,&#8221; at 46%, compared with between 57% and 70% in the other five countries.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/15\/most-europeans-say-a-second-language-is-useful-not-everyone-can-actually-speak-one&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/23\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_812d2aaa-7903-5184-8e37-58d4112826e9-9912348.jpg&#8221;] No Comment At least 12 dead and dozens missing after building collapse in Gaza City Europe News Von der Leyen\u2019s heatwave plan comes as Europe runs out of time Markets Bitcoin drops after US Senate blocks landmark crypto bill Travel News 21 of the world\u2019s 50 Best Hotels for 2026 are in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2146938","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2146938","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2146938"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2146938\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2146938"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2146938"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2146938"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}