I WAS saddened, though not surprised, to read that a recent EU poll shows Britain once again bottom of the class for foreign languages.

With the holiday season upon us, it is disheartening to read that only 17 per cent of Britons speak French and only three per cent are familiar with Spanish.

Learning just a few words and phrases of the native language really does make a holiday run smoother and improves our reputation abroad. It can turn us all into ambassadors for a nation that often receives a bad press abroad.

Having knowledge of another language is also good for business. At a time when so much of Yorkshire and the Humber's exports go to the Continent, a degree of proficiency in German, French, Italian or Spanish can make the difference between clinching yet another deal or losing out to a more sophisticated European rival.

As this year has been designated European Year of Languages, I sincerely hope that yet another bumper year of people taking their holidays abroad will encourage more local people to learn other languages.

Contact my office on 01482 609943 for advice on how to go about this.

Diana Wallis MEP,

Land Of Green Ginger,

Hull.

Updated: 10:36 Thursday, July 05, 2001