Britain remains well and truly in the slow lane when it comes to learning languages--despite the repeated commitment of politicians to reversing this historical trend. But, as the author proves, even the least able linguist can learn the few words of a foreign language which can make all the difference when traveling abroad. In its recent briefing note to Members of Parliament, the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) pointed up the apparent mismatch between public concern to raise the foreign language competence of the British population and the planning and market-led mechanisms that are expected to deliver. The briefing warns that language learning may be seen increasingly as being purely a matter of personal development--and this will be expected to generate a high fee income from learners. At the same time, however, the development of a new "language ladder" and its relationship with the national qualifications framework promises a mechanism that will ensure that language courses can receive the levels of public funding which they will need. The author presents four key questions identified by NIACE in relation to language policy and funding. However, it remains to be seen how policy-makers respond.