Spanish takes second place among pupils in general education, while German wins the silver medal in vocational schools.

Brussels

In European Union schools, English is the most widely studied foreign language among both general and vocational high school students. Approximately 60% of high school students in the EU take two or more foreign languages as part of their compulsory education. 

German, French, and Spanish are also commonly studied, though their popularity varies depending on whether the education is general or vocational. Chinese is studied by a small fraction of students, mainly in France, Luxembourg, and Italy. The proportion of students learning multiple languages is highest in countries like France, Romania, and the Czech Republic, while it is much lower in Malta, Spain, Greece, and Denmark.

Which are the most studied languages in EU schools?

What are the most popular foreign languages among EU students? In the EU, 60% of high school students take two or more foreign languages as part of their compulsory studies. English remains by far the most widely studied language among both compulsory and vocational studies. Among vocational studies, German takes second place with 18%, followed by French, Spanish, Russian and Swedish. When it comes to mandatory classes, the situation is similar. Spanish is the second most studied language after English, followed by German, French and further down Italian. Chinese is only studied by 0.5% of students, with the highest percentages in France, Luxembourg and Italy. Some countries seem to be putting more effort than others into teaching foreign languages. Nearly 100% of high school students in general education in France, Romania and the Czech Republic study two or more foreign languages. The situation differs when it comes to vocational education. Nearly all pupils in Romania take two or more language classes, 85% in Finland, 78% in Poland, while percentages are zero or close to zero in Malta, Spain, Greece and Denmark.

The U.N. General Assembly brought high-level officials together to promote a two-state solution to the decades-old Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israel and the United States are boycotting the two-day meeting, co-chaired by the foreign ministers of France and Saudi Arabia

New York

Middle East Conflict

Israel and U.S. boycott UN Summit for two-state solution

With numerous countries facing an Aug. 1 trade agreement deadline, officials in the Trump administration say China could get an extension while negotiations continue.

Washington

Global Tariffs

Trump officials suggest potential tariff truce with China

Police say the man who shot and killed four people in a New York City office building before he took his own life had a "documented mental health history." Mayor Eric Adams says he may have been targeting the National Football League (NFL).

Manhattan gunman had 'documented mental health history'

Jeffrey Epstein-associate Ghislaine Maxwell is offering to testify before Congress in exchange for concessions like full immunity. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Ghislaine Maxwell offers to testify before Congress

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (July 29) Britain was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly unless Israel takes a number of steps to improve life for Palestinians.

London

UK to recognize Palestinian state unless Israel takes action

Russia launched overnight air strikes on over 70 Ukrainian cities, killing more than 20 people, according to President Zelenskyy. A pregnant woman died near a hospital in the southeast, while a prison strike killed at least 17.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Deadly Russian air raids hit Ukraine as Trump warns of sanctions

For the first time, human rights groups inside Israel are accusing their own government of committing genocide in Gaza. Israel insists it is targeting Hamas, not civilians—despite nearly 60,000 Palestinian deaths since the war began almost two years ago.

Jerusalem

Rights groups in Israel accuse country of genocide

As Gaza’s crisis worsens, France is advocating for a two-state solution at a UN conference co-chaired by the French foreign minister. The meeting follows President Macron’s announcement that France will formally recognize a Palestinian state in September.

France leads UN talks on Israel-Palestine two-state solution

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of bribery and witness tampering in an unprecedented trial that has shaken the country.

Bogotá

Ex-Colombian president Uribe convicted of witness tampering, bribery

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev posted on social media that President Trump's deadline push for a ceasefire with Ukraine is "a threat and a step towards war."

Moscow

Russian official calls Trump's ceasefire deadline 'a threat'

Ukraine says Russia's overnight air strikes hit a prison in Zaporizhzhia in the southeast, killing at least 17 people. Another 35 were injured. Authorities say the attacks destroyed the jail buildings and damaged several nearby houses.

Zaporizhzhia

Russian air strikes hit a prison in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia, 17 killed

Russia launched yet another attack on Ukraine overnight, with more than 300 drones and seven missiles. While most of the barrage was intercepted, the attacks prompted President Trump to give his Russian counterpart an ultimatum.

Trump gives Putin new deadline to end Ukraine war

A gunman killed at least one police officer and shot a handful of other people Monday in the heart of New York City. CBS News New York has the latest details.

Gunman kills police officer, wounds others in Midtown Manhattan

The suspect in the Michigan Walmart stabbing attack that injured 11 people over the weekend pleaded not guilty Monday to terrorism and assault charges.

Traverse City

Suspect pleads not guilty in Walmart stabbing attack

The U.S. Department of Justice says it took down child abuse websites that had more than 120,000 members and contained millions of files. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane explains how the arrest of one suspect nicknamed "Boss" was a huge priority for the FBI.

U.S. Justice Dept. shuts down four child abuse websites

Five people, including security guards, were killed by a gunman at Bangkok's Or Tor Kor market on Monday. The shooter, who injured two others, later killed himself, according to authorities.

Bangkok

Gunman kills five at busy Bangkok fresh food market

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “unconditional” ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on July 28, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes.

Kuala Lumpur

Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire

Truckloads of food reached hungry Gazans on July 28 after Israel promised to open secure aid routes, but humanitarian agencies warned vast amounts more were needed to stave off starvation.

Food arrives in Gaza after Israel pauses some fighting

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials will resume talks in Stockholm to try to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the center of a trade war, aiming to extend a truce by three months and keeping high tariffs at bay.

Stockholm

U.S.-China trade truce extension seen, may ease way for Trump-Xi meet

A train derailment in southern Germany killed at least three people and injured others. The cause is under investigation, with weather possibly a factor.

Riedlingen

German train derails, killing at least three people

Israel has agreed to limit fighting in parts of Gaza and would allow more aid into the region, but both moves are facing criticism for being too little too late.

Israel announces daily pauses in Gaza fighting as aid trickles in

Abnormally high temperatures combined with heat and drought have fuelled destructive wildfires in parts of Europe, forcing thousands to be evacuated.

Athens

Heat fuels destructive wildfires in parts of Europe

Michigan officials say they will file terrorism charges and 11 charges of assault with intent to murder against the man who allegedly carried out a knife attack at a Walmart on Saturday. Lana Zak reports.

Garfield Township

Suspect in Michigan stabbing rampage to face terrorism charges

FAA investigators are in Denver after passengers and crew aboard an American Airlines flight were forced to evacuate when a tire blew during takeoff and the plane's rapid deceleration caused a brake fire, the airline said. Elise Preston reports.

Denver

Passengers evacuate burning plane in Denver

President Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. and European Union have come to a trade agreement after high-stakes meetings in Scotland. Weijia Jiang reports.

Edinburgh

Trump announces trade agreement with the European Union

Israel says it will now establish secure routes through the war zone in Gaza so aid convoys won't be shot at or looted. Elizabeth Palmer reports.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel says it will establish secure routes for Gaza aid

U.S. President Donald Trump played golf Saturday at his course on Scotland's coast while protesters around the country took to the streets to decry his visit and accuse United Kingdom leaders of pandering to the American president.

Protesters in Scotland take to the streets to decry Trump's visit

Following four days of border clashes which have left over 30 people dead, the two sides have agreed to Malaysia acting as a mediator in the conflict.

Thailand, Cambodia to meet in Malaysia for ceasefire talks

Protesters gathered in front of the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh to oppose President Trump's visit to Scotland. Mr. Trump plans to host the U.K.'s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, for trade talks at his personal properties.

Demonstrators protest Trump's visit to Scotland

The Israeli military said Saturday that it will resume aid airdrops into Gaza and open humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys amid increased international pressure and accounts of starvation-related deaths in the territory.

Breakdown