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Language students who miss out on a year abroad ("Fees threat to languages", THES, July 4) are damaging their job prospects.

A recent study of more than 1,100 language graduates showed that the skills acquired through residence abroad helped them to land their first and subsequent jobs.

Nearly 97 per cent felt the investment in residence abroad had been worthwhile. In fact, a majority felt that the year abroad, whether a student exchange or a work placement, was more valuable than the rest of their degree.

Jim Coleman
Professor of language learning and teaching
The Open University