Recent figures suggest that fewer pupils than ever before in Wales choose to study foreign languages and that the Welsh economy could suffer as a result.

Swansea University’s Centre for the Study of Languages through Welsh sponsored by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, aims to persuade pupils that language skills are essential and relevant to everyday life.

Pupils from all over Wales will spend two days at Swansea University participating in various workshops including simultaneous and professional translation, German, Spanish and Arabic for beginners as well as French, German and Spanish oral lessons.

Routes into Languages will hold a session on the advantages of studying foreign languages and Media Education Wales will hold a workshop on film analysis and editing.

Dr Geraldine Lublin from Swansea University’s Centre for the Study of Languages through Welsh said: ‘‘The recent figures about the number of young people who choose to study foreign languages are certainly a cause for concern therefore I am glad that so many pupils have expressed an interest in attending the course. I hope they will see the benefits of studying modern languages and realise that the ability to speak several languages will be of great advantage in the workplace in future.’’