Letter: Language barrier

Sir: Dr John Russell (letter, 14 July) is entirely correct about the future employment prospects for good linguists as the expansion of the EU increases demand for translators and interpreters.

However, at our school the students start learning foreign languages at 11 for just 2.5 hours a week. Students at our partner school in Germany start learning English at the age of 10, for 5 hours a week. Both schools are typical for their respective countries.

The chances for this country's children to compete for such employment are not at all promising.