Free courses – now that's a language students understand

The uptake of language degrees at British universities is falling but as this recent article in the Guardian demonstrates the news is not all bad. The University of the East of London is one of a growing number of institutions to run free weekly language classes aimed at degree students. And the response has been very enthusiastic as students look for the competitive edge that languages offer them in the work marketplace. The Council of Europe could possible take their cue from this initiative by offering free or subsidised language courses at higher and further education in member states where second language ability is poor in order to encourage greater bilingualism and freedom of movement of workers. But perhaps to do this would require a constitutional re-examination of what it means to be an European citizen.