The conflict between Russia and the west does not discourage Russians from learning foreign languages (basically English).
MOSCOW, November 14, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information describing the Russian attitudes toward learning foreign languages at school; whether foreign languages prove useful in everyday life; what the benefits of learning foreign languages are.
An overwheling majority of Russians (92%) believe that learning a foreign language at school is important (residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg– 98%). Only 4% believe that there is no need to do that.
Three-quarters of Russians are confident that their children and grandchildren will benefit from speaking foreign languages (74%). Those who share this stance are metropolitan residents (82%), 25-34-year-old Russians (82%), and respondents with high level of education (81%). Most of Russians think that knowing English is always useful (92%). Respondents also mention German (17%), Chinese (15%), French (10%) and other languages.
Among the advantages that learning foreign languages can give, respondents cite an ability to communicate with foreigners (28%). Every fifth (22%) believe that language skills can help finding a well-paid and prestigious job. Travelling and feeling confident abroad is important for 16% of Russians. Using foreign languages for self-development is cited by 11% of respondents; reading books and watching foreign movies in original language - by 4% of respondents; 3% of Russians need foreign languages for their studies; 2% think languages provide massive opportunities for people.
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on September 13-14, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
In your opinion, should children learn foreign languages at school? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||||
| Total respondents | Moscow and St. Petersburg | Million cities | More than 500 ths | 100–500 ths | Less than 100 ths | Rural area |
Rather yes | 92 | 98 | 88 | 96 | 91 | 91 | 92 |
Rather no | 4 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Don`t know | 4 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
In your opinion, will your children/grandchildren need language skills? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||
| Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education |
Rather yes | 74 | 63 | 71 | 72 | 81 |
Rather no | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
No children | 16 | 26 | 18 | 17 | 13 |
Don`t know | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 3 |
If they need foreign languages, can you tell us which ones? (open-ended question, any number of Russians, % of those who think that their children will need language skills; the answers shown are provided by at least 1% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
English | 92 |
German | 17 |
Chinese | 15 |
French | 10 |
Japanese | 2 |
Spanish | 2 |
Italian | 1 |
Arab | 1 |
Russian | 1 |
Finnish | 1 |
other | 1 |
Don`t know | 4 |
In your opinion, what benefits can learning foreign languages give? (open-ended question, not more than 5 answers) | |
| Total respondents |
Communicating with foreigners | 28 |
Job (well-paid, prestigious) | 22 |
Travelling abroad (getting information) | 16 |
Self-development | 11 |
Reading books, manuals, watching foreign movies in original language | 4 |
Using foreign language for studies | 3 |
It makes it easier to work with computer | 2 |
It is needed today | 2 |
More opportunities | 2 |
Useful | 2 |
Language skills increase self-esteem, self-confidence | 2 |
Opportunities to work and study abroad | 1 |
Searching information in the Internet | 1 |
Move permanently abroad | 1 |
Prestige ("knowing a foreign language is prestigious") | 1 |
None | 1 |
Other | 6 |
Don`t know | 25 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!