The majority of Russians believe that learning foreign languages is absolutely essential in our time (63%). The leading reasons to do it is to communicate with foreigners and use it during trips abroad.

Only 5% of Russians think that learning foreign languages is pointless

Along with 63% of Russians who view knowledge of languages as essential, further 31% consider such studies useful, although point out that it is possible to get by without it, WCIOM reported.

• 36% of respondents said knowing foreign dialects is important to be able to communicate with foreigners and overseas friends.
• 34% of survey participants think it would assist in travelling abroad.
• 33% of respondents view it as a useful skill to get a better job locally that could offer higher wages.
• 21% of people who answered think it’s a part of self-development and opens their life outlook.
• 16% of respondents would like to read original texts of books, manuals.

Much fewer people pointed out that knowledge of foreign languages would help to work or study abroad or for immigration purposes.

In other words, the majority of Russians view knowledge of foreign languages as a useful skill to advance their lives at home.

Which languages Russian view as important to learn?

1. English scored #1 spot with 93% of votes. Basically everyone believes it’s important to know English.
2. Chinese got votes of 48% of respondents.
3. German is viewed as important by 32% of respondents.
4. French scored 21% of votes.
5. Spanish is considered important by 9% of people.

Japanese, Italian, Arabic and Korean are also in the top-10.

Russian, surprisingly, also got 2% of votes, being apparently a foreign language for 2% of respondents living in Russia. We should remember, of course, that Russia has 85 federal subjects, many of which are national autonomous republics such as Chechnya or Tatarstan. People in smaller towns in these locations speak in their own languages, thus Russian is their second language.

Which foreign languages do Russian speak?

• 36% of survey takers are able to speak fluently or talk and communicate in English. Further 27% know a few phrases. 37% of Russians are unable to speak English at all.
• 15% of respondents can speak German, while 53% don’t know a word.
• 3% of people are able to communicate in French (84% don’t know it).
• 1% of respondents can hold a conversation in Spanish, Chinese, or Arabic.

The numbers are not that high if you think that all people in Russia have to study a foreign language at school for 6 years and pass an exam at the end. If a person studied at college or university, they have to learn the language for another 3 years.

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