The Business of Language West Midlands issue 22 - November 2008

Region welcomes new ECR consultant

Doug Lawrence (BSc.Hons. Computer Science, MBA) has recently been accredited by UK Trade and Investment as the West Midlands Export Communications Consultant, providing Export Communications Reviews for companies throughout the West Midlands.

Lawrence has spent 15 years in the translation industry, having worked in the UK, Ireland, Germany and the United States.  He speaks German and is keen to promote the importance of language skills amongst local businesses.

Lawrence founded Amicus TransTec Limited, a company supplying technology and services to the professional translation industry, in 2006.  Building on his international sales roles, Lawrence developed the popular Selling Translations TM sales training and consulting programme for translation companies, which covers core sales skills, industry knowledge and technology.

Lawrence is a sought after speaker, regularly being asked to speak at translation and language industry events across Europe.  He has also recently signed up to become a Business Language Champion, passing on his knowledge and experience to local school students in the hope of encouraging them to continue with their language learning.

During his free time, Lawrence tries to keep fit, running marathons and competing in endurance events; having completed 3 Tough Guys, finishing in the top 10% of the Royal Marine Commando Challenge and within the top 5 of the Tetbury Wool Sack Race World Championships.

Export Communications Reviews provide companies with impartial and objective advice about addressing language and cultural barriers when trading overseas.  The review involves an in-depth discussion with a communications consultant, who will then prepare a report detailing the strengths and weaknesses of current communications and providing practical recommendations on how they can be improved.  An ECR can help you to identify new markets, improve your communications with overseas clients and suppliers and enable you to confidently approach language service providers such as translators and interpreters.

For more information on ECR please visit our website.

Schools urged to 'Talk Business' to increase languages uptake

We all know how important it is to encourage youngsters to pursue languages and how difficult it can be to demonstrate why these skills are so beneficial in the workplace, which is why one cold, dark November afternoon we found ourselves in Telford sharing our experiences of linking schools and businesses.

Teachers from schools around the West Midlands gathered at The University of Wolverhampton's Telford campus to take part in Talking Business, an event organised by Routes into Languages and the RLN.  The event was aimed at encouraging and enabling teachers to engage with businesses to help increase language skills awareness.

The afternoon was a big success and we hope it gave those of you who attended an insight into making links and forging sustainable partnerships with local businesses.

Business Language Champion and Director of Acuwomen, Angela Maxwell (pictured, right), inspired delegates with her experience of working with schools and was able to give the business perspective on what works well.  She made some very valuable points on adhering to arranged dates and ensuring staff, students and business representatives are briefed well in advance about activities.

One of the aims of the afternoon was to enable teachers to confidently forge their own links with business and the RLN's BLC Project Manager, Frances Pallett, spoke in-depth about how to contact companies, why business input is so invaluable and what kinds of activities have been successful in the past.

RLN Manager, Chris Everall, who helped to organise the event said:

"Businesses increasingly operate in an international environment and it is good for pupils to see the relevance of foreign language skills in the workplace.  We hope this kind of business-school interaction will also help businesses by giving them access to more employees with language skills in the future."

Our thanks go to Henrietta Harnisch, Director of Language Networks for Excellence, for introducing the event and coordinating the afternoon's activity and also to Kat Stevenson, Routes into Language Project Officer, for her help in organising the event and arranging the superb food!

To those of you who couldn't make it on the day, the 'Working with Businesses' presentation is available to download from our website together with other useful resources such as previous BLC activities and case studies.

Language strategies report for 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games published

A report published recently by Routes into Languages (RintoL) suggests the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games offer a unique opportunity to put in place a coherent national language strategy and policy.

The report makes suggestions on the language strategies needed to ensure Britain is a generous host not only for the 2012 Games but other forthcoming international events:

Higher Education Involvement

• The HE languages sector should be seen as an official training services provider for the linguistic and cultural skills sought for 2012
• HE languages departments have the expertise and knowledge to develop the national role of languages
• HEIs are particularly well placed to implement intercultural training
• HE languages departments could provide a sustainable and lasting cultural, social and economic legacy by aiming to make the 2012 Olympics exceed expectations in terms of language provision

The importance of volunteers

• Up to 70,000 volunteers will be needed to help stage the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
• A regional and national database of Language Specialist Volunteers with linguistic and intercultural skills for international events should be established
• Social cohesion could be improved when those involved see how highly their language and cultural skills are valued in wider communities across the UK
• Recruitment for Games-time volunteers starts in 2010, when the official London 2012 Volunteer Programme launches

Bringing The Games into the classroom

The official London 2012 education programme was launched in September 2008 and aims to capture the imagination of young people around the world.  The programme is aimed at:

• Schools - using The Games in the classroom and wider activities to make learning more relevant, interesting and fun
• Colleges and Universities - there will be special programmes to involve students, with some institutions providing addtional services to support The Games.

Useful links

Official website of the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)

London 2012 Education Programme

RLN London's Welcoming the World

2012 Games news and opportunities in the West Midlands

Using languages for competitive advantage

Mark Howes, Director of Exceptional French Language Tuition, recently conducted market research to illustrate the means by which competitive advantage can be leveraged by businesses with multilingual staff.  We asked him to share his views on why speaking the language of your customer can give you the edge over your competitors:

"In crowded international markets where there is often little differentiation between actual products, supplier-customer relationships built on trust qualify as an excellent source of competitive advantage."

How then might a business build trust when forging relationships with customers in international markets?

"To begin building trust in international business relationships, British companies must be much better prepared to communicate in the native language of their overseas customers.

An nation's language is an outward expression of its culture and so working in the native language of your customer demonstrates a willingness to share your customer's culture.  A shared culture facilitates communication from the customer's perspective and so becomes a powerful psychological influence for building trust."

But they all speak English don't they?

"Embarking on any overseas language training strategy in pursuit of competitive advantage will represent a real challenge to UK businesses - the traditional British mentality of 'they all speak English over there don't they?' is very much alive and well!

It is concluded that this lethargy will never be shaken off until foreign language skills are recognised and then harnessed as a durable source of competitive advantage for international businesses working with non-English speaking customers."

If your business is embarking upon trade with non-English speaking customers or you wish to enhance your opportunities in overseas markets, you can contact the RLN to obtain details of language trainers, interpreters, translators and cultural consultants in your area.

Alternatively, please visit our website for a range of useful resources including cultural briefings and podcasts.

Applications now open for European Award for Languages

The search is on for the UK's most innovative language projects, as applications open for next year's European Award for Languages.  Schools, colleges, adult education and community projects are invited to apply for this prestigious award ahead of the deadline on 30 January 2009.

The European Award for Languages is a Europe-wide initiative, which recognises creative ways to improve the quality of language teaching, motivate students and make the best of available resources.  To qualify for an award, projects must provide an inspiration to others, be replicable and involve any language other than English.

Shortlisted projects will be visited by a panel of expert judges, who will compile a list of the UK's most innovative language projects.  Winners will receive their award from CILT's patron, Sir Trevor McDonald, at a prize-giving ceremony in the summer, where one winning project will be selected by the Mary Glasgow Trust to receive its annual award of £2,000.

Last year, the Earls High School in Dudley won an award for their peer mentoring initiative 'Project Croissant' and it would be great if the region could be represented again in the honours list.

To find out more about the award or to nominate your language projects please visit the CILT website.

Forthcoming events

Welcome to our round-up of language and culture-related events taking place in the West Midlands or further afield over the coming weeks.  Simply click on your chosen event to find out more details:

18 November 2008 - How to plan and teach CBLC effectively at entry level - This full day training event will give teachers the knowledge, skills and understanding to effectively deliver the Certificate in Business Language Competence (CBLC).  Held on 18 November from 10.00 - 15.30.  Please visit Language Networks for Excellence website for further details or to book your place.

20 November 2008 - Russia: Practical Solutions - One day seminar for companies interested in doing or already doing business in Russia to catch up on the latest developments.  Held in Glaziers Hall, London, SE1 9DD from 09.00 - 17.00 this seminar will give delegates the opportunity to share experiences and make new contacts.  Please contact Albion (Overseas) Ltd on 020 7403 9922 or visit the Midlands World Trade Forum website for more information.

21 November 2008 - Alternative Accreditation in Languages including 14-19 Diploma - Split into two halves, this seminar offers an alternative accreditation session for teachers in the morning (£95 per delegate) and a free 14-19 diplomas information session in the afternoon.  This event will take place at the Wolverhampton Science Park, University of Wolverhampton.  For more information please visit the Language Networks for Excellence website.

24 November 2008 - Hungarian Business Development Seminar - This event promotes business and partnering opportunities in Hungary.  The keynote address will be given by Mr Abel Garamhegyi, the government Commissioner for International Economic Affairs and State Secretary of the Ministry for National Development.  Other presentations will include a case study from a local company that has established a business base in Hungary.  For further details please visit the Midlands World Trade Forum website.

11 December 2008 - Developing Intercultural Understanding in the Primary School -  A one-day course to take an in-depth look at the concept of intercultural understanding in the primary school.  Held at the Finstall Centre in Bromsgrove, this course provides an opportunity for all involved to explore the learning objectives and teaching activities in the Key Stage 2 framework for languages.  Please contact Alexandra Yannacopoulou on 0121 303 8106 for more information.

For a full list of all forthcoming events please visit the events pages of our website.