Two-thirds of Brits are clueless on foreign languages

A new survey has revealed that two-thirds of Brits refuse to learn a single word of a foreign language when they jet off on their summer holidays.

Even more surprisingly one-fifth (19 per cent) don't know what 'bonjour' means despite being French being taught in English secondary schools for generations.

Some 63 per cent could not decipher what the Dutch word 'goedemorgen' despite it sounding almost the same as it's English equivalent 'good morning'.

The research was conducted by Hotels.com and found that young Britons were the worst at making an effort when on foreign soil.

In contrast, those aged over 55 were the mostly likely to try their tongue in another language, with 45 per cent saying they at least give it a go when they are overseas.

"Brits often have a negative image abroad when it comes to languages, and it doesn’t seem to be anything we’ll be saying auf wiedersehen to any time soon," said Hotels.com spokeswomen Kate Hopcraft.

And it's not just abroad speaking only English can be a problem. This summer the Observer suggests that failure to know another language can limit your horizons on the jobs front.

Posted by Jamie Manterfield