Martin Jacques and Richard Holt both wrote an article about the importance of speaking different kinds of languages in the Guardian.  Jacques suggest that it is important for British people to speak another language besides English. Holt shares the same opinion, but for different kinds of reasons. Jacques believes that speaking another language will have a positive effect on integration. He also explains that there are three problems with the lingua franca argument. The first problem is the fact that not everyone in the world speaks English. Jacques argues that English ranks only second in the world of those who speak it as a first or second language while Mandarin has twice as many speakers1. The second problem is that language is not just a way to communicate, it ''is the expression of a culture''2. Thus, it is important to speak the language of others3. The third problem is the fact that other languages could be far more widely spoken than English. Jacques suggest that this is already happening. Mandarin, Hindi, Arabic and Spanish are all far more widely-spoken now4. Holt does not agree with Jacques first problem description. Holt argues that English may not be the most spoken first language, but when you look at how many people speak English as a second language ''it leaves Mandarin Chinese for dust''5. This is the reason why Holt strongly feels that people from Britain can use their own language anywhere in the world6. He also finds that the experience of learning to speak another language can give anyone a deeper understanding of their own language. Learning to speak another language forces people to think analytically rather than just instinctively. Analytically thinking is a skill which students of all kinds of disciplines need to work on7. Therefore, it is important for people to speak another language besides English. Jacques agrees that students should learn another language next to their own language. Unfortunately, Holt reports that ''language teaching has suffered in recent years, notably from a lack of language graduates willing to go into teaching''8. Holt suggest that the amendment of the education bill needs to get the backing of schools and politicians, because otherwise there will be not enough teachers in the language departments. 

1 M. Jacques, 'Does it matter if we only speak English?', The Guardian 2006.
2 M. Jacques, 'Does it matter if we only speak English?', The Guardian 2006.
3 M. Jacques, 'Does it matter if we only speak English?', The Guardian 2006.
4 M. Jacques, 'Does it matter if we only speak English?', The Guardian 2006.
5 J. Holt, 'Why bother learning foreign languages?', The Guardian 2006.
6 J. Holt, 'Why bother learning foreign languages?', The Guardian 2006.
7 J. Holt, 'Why bother learning foreign languages?', The Guardian 2006.
8 J. Holt, 'Why bother learning foreign languages?', The Guardian 2006.