33% of Russian leaders and the same number of entrepreneurs are fluent in at least one foreign language, are the conclusions of the survey by the Levada Center, which was attended by 1,600 Russians in 128 settlements of 46 regions of the country. In However, among workers with special education in foreign languages possess 18%, as many – among housewives and among the workers – 8%. Sufficiently appreciate his knowledge of foreign languages, 15% of Russians. In Moscow "Fluent in a foreign language" is almost twice that in other cities in Russia (35% vs. 15-18%), and 5 times higher than in rural areas (7%). Answered the question affirmatively about every three respondents (30%) with higher education – regardless of the position; twice as often (14%) – with special secondary, are three times less likely (8%) – with less than secondary education. More often than others declare proficiency in a language people aged 18-39 years, less the others – aged 55 years and older.
"In other words, knowledge of language is determined by the capabilities of its study (a good school and university, the availability of literature in foreign languages, high consumer status) and the frequency of its use in everyday life that is most often associated with the profession or sphere of activity ", – commented Denis Volkov, a researcher by the Levada Center. Most Russians, as always, speak English (80%) and, to a much lesser extent, German (16%) and French (4%) languages. 2% of the well-known Turkish and another 9% – other languages (the sum exceeds 100% because some of you know two or more foreign languages). For managers of Russian business language skills has become norm, since, according to Alexander Filatov, Executive Director, Independent Directors Association, the majority of Russian companies are oriented toward Anglo-American standards of corporate governance, and in many large companies are working managers, ex-pats. According to him, in some companies (for example, "Nutritek) even board meeting is conducted in English, and documents for these meetings are prepared bilingual (English and Russian).