Band 8+: The pie charts below show responses by teachers of foreign languages in Britain to a survey concerning why their students are learning a foreign language. The first chart shows the main reasons for learning a foreign language, the second chart shows how many teachers felt that there have been a recent change in the reason. Write a report for university lecturer describing the information below.

The pie charts show the responses of teachers of foreign languages in Britain to a survey about why their students are learning a foreign language and the reasons for a recent increase in language learning.

Overall, travel was the most common reason for learning a foreign language, while having a foreign partner was the least common. However, buying property overseas accounted for the largest proportion of teachers who reported a recent increase, whereas travel showed the smallest percentage.

Looking at the first chart, travel was the main reason for learning a foreign language, accounting for 33% of responses. Business or work was the second most common reason, at 26%, followed by buying property overseas, at 19%. Social contact and personal development both made up 7%, while general interest was slightly lower, at 5%. Having a foreign partner was the least common reason, at only 3%.

Regarding the recent increase, buying property overseas had the highest percentage, at 34%. Business or work accounted for 19%, while social contact and learning because there was no charge were both reported by 15% of teachers. General interest represented 6%, followed by personal development and having a foreign partner, at 4% each. Travel had the lowest figure, at just 3%.