The Business of Language issue 30 November 2009
Welcome to the 30th edition of the Business of Language West Midlands, the free bi-monthly ezine from the Regional Language Network West Midlands. In this issue we look at the funding available to enable schools to develop projects overseas, examine the role of languages within universities and ask if you have what it takes to become a Business Language Champion!
Report calls for languages to be part of university internationalisation strategies
Michael Worton's review of language provision in higher education, published recently, calls for a rethink of the functions of languages in universities and for a refreshed vision of the importance and value of languages to be shared by government departments, schools, universities and businesses.
He wants an appreciation of languages in intellectual and public life, as is the case with science, in order to avoid Anglophone Britons becoming one of the most monolingual peoples in the world, unable to operate effectively in the global environment.
Professor Worton's report calls for universities to grasp opportunities to develop new interdisciplinary and employment-focused courses consistent with their strategic ambitions in an environment where higher education is internationalising rapidly. A foreign language is an increasingly important graduate skill but beyond that, says the report, languages must also be developed as a specialist discipline.
Professor Worton's call for more partnership and cross-sectoral working is warmly welcomed by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. Chief Executive, Kathryn Board, said:
"Professor Worton's observation that there needs to be more joined up thinking on languages is spot on. The transition from secondary to higher education is in many ways as crucial as the transition from primary to secondary school and it is something we take very seriously. We are already working with a number of partners to develop a cross-phase project for languages and intercultural understanding. At the same time we warmly welcome the suggestion of a forum involving government departments, schools, universities and employers to make sure we deliver clear and consistent messages about the importance of languages."
Call for Champions!
If your business trades overseas, employs multilingual staff or needs language skills to operate efficiently then your expertise and knowledge is highly sought after!
Schools across the region are queuing up to take part in our successful Business Language Champions programme, which aims to increase languages uptake by bringing a taste of the 'real' world of work into the classroom.
To help you determine whether you have the potential to be a Business Language Champion we have created a Champions checklist so why not see if your skills tick the right boxes?:
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If you answered yes to two or more of these questions then you are definite Champion material! Please contact us to find out more about becoming a Business Language Champion and how you can emulate the success of the thirty partnerships, between schools and businesses, created since the programme was launched in the region four years ago.
In particular we would love to hear from you if you are based or are willing to travel to the Shrewsbury or Telford areas.
For more information on the BLC programme please visit our website.
Funding for employer engagement in language learning
CILT, the National Centre for Lanuages has teamed up with Links into Languages to support a group of schools to engage with businesses to increase pupils' enjoyment and achievement in language learning. The LinkedUp Award scheme will fund projects that create links with the community and bring languages in real-life contexts into the classroom. Each of the approved partnerships will receive £3,000 towards their work.
Links into Languages is a new programme funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). It aims to support the existing language community, bring new professional development opportunities and to provide up to date information and networking support for everyone involved in the world of languages. The West Midlands regional office is situated in the heart of the region, at Aston University. There are also nominated local centres to bring the training closer to all teachers in the West Midlands.
Links into Languages is managed by a consortium led by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS), in partnership with the Association for Language Learning (ALL) and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT).
To find out more about Links into Languages or the LinkedUp Awards please send an email to linkswestmidlands@aston.ac.uk or visit the Links into Languages website.
Youngsters encouraged to develop projects with France
Groups of young people in the UK and France are being encourged to work together on innovative projects funded by the Lefevre Trust. The Trust aims to improve understanding between the UK and France by enabling young people to visit a partner group and further develop a joint venture. Up to £10,000 is available to support projects from all groups including:
- youth groups
- extra-curricular clubs
- school groups
- sports teams
- theatre troupes
- arts organisations
Applications for funding are accepted from the formal and non-formal education sector across the UK for young people aged 11-19. Grants will be awarded to cover mobility costs of both one-way and reciprocal visits to France and its overseas departments that form part of a bilateral project. Each project must have specific aims and activities and can be based around themes such as:
- language learning
- culture and the arts
- energy and the environment
- science and technology
- citizenship
For more information please contact Jason Forsythe at J&AB Ltd on 01926 450555 or visit the British Council website.
Would your school like to develop links with China?
The British Council China Programme offers funding and support to enable you to establish sustainable links. The programme provides grants of up to £1,000 per person to cover travel, board and lodging costs for school linking visits to develop new or existing partnerships with schools in China.
There is a variety of funding opportunities available to help primary, secondary and special schools, as well as colleges of further education, to develop partnerships with Chinese schools and the teaching of Chinese. The programme aims to:
- Establish sustainable links that will impact on the development of the schools and colleges involved
- Enrich the curriculum and support language learning and awareness
- Provide professional development opportunities for staff
Funding is also available to local authorities and clusters of schools to develop strategic area links with regions of China.
Schools are invited to apply now by contacting Jason Forsythe at J&AB Ltd on 01926 450555 or visiting the British Council website. The deadline for applications is February 2010.
And finally...
The German British Chamber of Commerce are holding a business luncheon on 12 November with guest speaker HE Georg Boomgaarden, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany. The lunch will take place at the Opus Restaurant, Cornwall Street, Birmingham, beginning at 12.30pm. The event is expected to finish by 3.00pm. If you wish to attend this lunch event, the cost is £35 per person for German British Chamber of Commerce members and their guests or £40 for non-members. Members can also book tables of 10 for £300. The price includes a pre-lunch drinks reception, three course lunch and wine. For more information or to book your place please contact Fiona Pagan on 0121 710 5834 or email: fpagan@wilkes.co.uk.