Listen closely to the chatter in Wood Green and you will hear a mosaic of different languages. My friend visiting from Surrey thought it unusual not understanding anyone. I found it normal but later began to question my complacency.

Languages are tools of communication and carry deep cultural insights. In schools we want to prepare our children for global citizenship. However opportunities to use any of the commonly taught languages such as German, French and Spanish are slim, especially if you can't afford regular holidays!

Visit Green Lanes and it is clear the Turkish language is thriving. It is a missed opportunity not to be able to use simple Turkish in order to get by in these places. Similarly a Polski sklep is not an uncommon sight in Haringey and in Leicester many people speak Gujarati. Perhaps embracing the cultures among us locally will make the radicalisation of young people more challenging.

Caspar Zialor

Nightingale Road

Haringey