WHY DO YOUNG GRADUATES NEED FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS?
WHY DO YOUNG GRADUATES NEED FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS?

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this research was to see what motivates the students from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca to learn a foreign language, namely the English language, and weather their attitude is in compliance with the present trends of the global and European labour market. In this respect we have conducted a students’ survey as well as an analysis of several documents, statistics and reports published by linguists and by the European Unions’ institutions. There is a general consensus about the importance of foreign language and communication skills Europeans should have not only for personal fulfilment, but also for an increased employability. The new vision is that of “mother tongues plus two other foreign languages”, in which citizens are encouraged to learn also less widely used languages, which can offer them a competitive advantage on the market. However, English is still the most taught foreign language at the European level and considered the language of international organizations, financial institutions, research publications and entertainment. Therefore, there is no surprise that Europeans in general, and Romanian students in particular, can identify several benefits coming from learning this language.

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