'Making Languages Our Business' 2009

On Friday 23rd January, a group of Year 9s went to Hele’s School for ‘Making Languages Our Business’ Day. We mixed with three other schools; Plymstock, Estover and Hele’s. We were split into groups and took part in different language games. Then after break, in our groups we had to design and present a new laptop that European teenagers might like to buy. We had to do our presentations in both Spanish and French. After lunch, awards were given out and it was a really brilliant day! [See photos]

Beth Egan 9DM

Background, context and key objectives

The activities represented part of a project organised by CILT – The National Centre For Languages, to provide schools with a series of fun one-day events and activities which emphasise and promote the importance of languages in the world of business. Students are by actively engaged and their awareness is raised in this respect, whilst schools are linked to Higher Education providers and local business.

How the programme is organised

The programme began following a successful innovation in the South West called Business Language Champions. This programme, supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, has now spread nationwide and aims to inspire companies to actively engage in partnerships with a focus on language learning.

Students from Year 9 are targeted, in order to help them when making choices about their GCSE options. Their aim is to make the case for languages as an important skill to boost employability; helping students get jobs in a variety of different professions and geographical locations

Results/effect

This project has already led to a rise in the take up of languages at Key Stages 4 and 5.

Resources

Some resources developed as part of the Business Language Champions Project and integrated into the curriculum from CILT’s Vocational Languages Resource Bank can be found here.