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Language Related News

For ease of reference news items are grouped according to sector. They include any national, regional and local news items of relevance.

The most recent news are listed at the top.

Language trends

CILT reveals that the number of students choosing to take a language at the age of 14 is still in decline

The findings, based on a survey sent to 2000 schools in England, revealed that the proportion of schools where more than 50 per cent of pupils study a language in year 10 has dropped from 45% in 2008-9 to 40% in the current school year. Interestingly, the survey shows that it is not due to disaffection from students but from the structure of post-14 education and its link to performance tables.

Read more

Language providers in the news

Express Language Solutions, success for Salford language provider

To read about Dina Railean and Express Language Solutions' recent successes, please download article

European Forum Launched

The European Forum was launched in Manchester on 5th September

Issues that affect European migrant workers were discussed at the launch, including access to information and local services, status and entitlements, engaging migrant groups and their communities, availability of English classes, homelessness and destitution, lack of funding and other important issues

For further information about the European Forum, contact Tom Griffiths of SEVA on tom@sevamanchester.com or 0161 237 5908.

The Future of Languages

British Academy to Tackle Major Policy Challenges

The British Academy is establishing a new policy centre as part of its plans to play a stronger role in future public debate and policymaking.  Speaking at his inauguration at the Academy's Annual General Meeting, incoming Academy President Sir Adam Roberts pointed to the strength of UK research in humanities and social sciences, and outlined the Academy's plans to assist Government and public bodies to draw on this wide range of academic expertise. The Academy, which has over 900 Fellows, encompasses psychologists, economists, historians, lawyers, theologians, criminologists and many others. Their expertise can shed light on major topical issues, ranging from climate change to radical extremism.

Sir Adam emphasised the need for policy-makers, particularly those implementing international policy, to understand the history, culture and languages of the societies with which they deal. The Academy also elected 38 outstanding scholars into the Fellowship, with the expertise to contribute to the Academy's objectives, including policy engagement.  The scholars include one of the youngest ever Fellows, and the youngest ever woman to be elected.  Specialities of new Fellows elected this year cover a diverse range of subjects, from terrorism to autism, prehistory to Romantic literature, African anthropology to human rights law, language disorders to citizenship and social security.

British Academy's University Challenge: Stop the Monoglot

The British Academy has written to universities across the UK pressing for action to address the rapid decline in foreign language learning.  The move was announced by Academy President, Baroness Onora O'Neill, as she stepped down from her presidency following a four year term.  Speaking at the Academy's Annual General Meeting, Baroness O'Neill emphasised the urgent need for universities to 'lead where government policy has failed' by introducing a foreign language requirement for university study.  She also criticised the closing of language departments as 'short-sighted'.  The letter follows the British Academy's Language Matters report (June 2009) which revealed the effect the fall in modern language learning is having in education, research, and on the wider economy.  The Academy is also contributing to the Review of Modern Foreign Languages Provision by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) 'setting clear and practical guidelines for universities to address the crisis through:

1. adopting a wider definition of 'internationalisation' rather than focus simply on the recruitment of overseas students.
2. ensuring that internationalisation (in its broadest sense) and language learning are at the heart of their strategies.
3. emulating the example set by University College London (UCL), which from 2012 will require students on entry to degree programmes (regardless of discipline) either to hold a GCSE (or equivalent) in a modern foreign language or to take a language qualification during their degree.
4. encouraging their students to take time out of their studies to work or study abroad.

To read both articles in full, click here

To Read the Language Matters Report, click here

Business

Languages Employer Engagement Project

CILT, the National Centre for Languages has won a bid to run a million pound programme to encourage teenagers to learn languages to help them compete more successfully in an increasingly globalised job market.  The Languages Employer Engagement project will see employers working with schools in England to demonstrate the relevance of languages and intercultural skills to business.

The new programme comes in response to feedback from high-profile business organisations that shows that without language skills UK risk falling behind in the international job market.

A recent survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) showed that the importance of languages to UK firms is set to grow as companies operate in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. Seventy two per cent of UK international trade is with non-English speaking countries – but it is estimated that only one in ten British workers can speak a foreign language.
The announcement of the project which aims to tackle a decline in language take-up at GCSE, follows news that the study of language at University is at an all time low.
CILT’s Chief Executive Kathryn Board said ‘In the current economic climate, being able to speak more than one language will give school leavers a competitive advantage in the job market over monolingual English speakers, as well as the chance to take advantage of job opportunities in the EU and elsewhere in the world.
‘We’re delighted to be leading the new Employer Engagement programme which we hope will demonstrate to young people that language skills open doors in the business world and that languages are a smart choice both at GCSE and beyond.’
The two-year programme, funded by the government’s Department for Schools, Children and Families (DCSF), will build on the success of CILT’s Business Language Champions scheme, which has seen 150 businesses supporting languages in schools since 2004. Business Language Champions have come from a wide range of industries including engineering, retail, transport, sports, media and the charity sector.

For further information and who to contact: download pdf

Manchester International Festival - Interpreters & Translators

Join the 2009 Volunteer Programme
We’re launching our Volunteer Programme sponsored by PZ Cussons and this is your chance to be part of a huge, exciting and unmissable event in Manchester’s 2009 calendar.

If you’re interested in the arts, culture or just excited by the opportunity to represent the Festival and Manchester, then the Festival team would like to hear from you. Find out more  <http://mif.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bc9effbe4177cb3f014371b7b&id=78d99ef183&e=4eb9cadf35>

 Become a Festival Friend
The Festival Friend scheme gives you a chance to get closer to the heart of the Festival while also contributing directly to the Festival’s future commissions.
For just £20, Friends get a host of great benefits, both during the Festival and beyond it. Join now! <http://mif.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bc9effbe4177cb3f014371b7b&id=6c8dd1c3c9&e=4eb9cadf35> City of Manchester residents can become a Friend for only £10 – to redeem this offer, please call 0844 815 4960 stating your postcode.

Lack of native English interpreters threatens European Commission

The European Commission’s interpreting service faces a potential succession crisis of linguists with English as a native language, according to a statement released today. Without an increase in the number of qualified graduates, the EU Institutions are set to lose at least one third of their English language interpreters by 2015 due to retirement.

As almost all meetings at the European Commission (EC) require English interpretation, the lack of native English speaking interpreters poses a serious problem. If no English interpreters are available, meetings are cancelled even if interpreters for the other languages can be found.

David Smith, Head of the EC’s interpreting unit said: ‘We are facing a severe shortage of English mother tongue interpreters. It’s not just the European Institutions - it’s a problem which is arising worldwide. One of the reasons is the growing demand for interpreters, along with the fact that a good number of our staff are reaching retirement age.’

The EC’s predicament reflects a wider demand for interpreters with English as a native language across a range of sectors. Recent CILT employer-based research indicates that there is a shortage of interpreters and other skilled linguists in both the private and public sectors and in an increasingly wide range of languages.

As part of Routes into Languages, the government’s £8million programme to increase take-up of languages at university, CILT is playing a key role managing the National Networks for Translation and Interpreting. The networks aim to raise awareness of the key contribution of translation and interpreting to both economic and civic regeneration. CILT has also published two factsheets on careers in translation through its Languages Work project, which promotes the importance of languages to young people.

Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre for Languages said:
‘We are very much aware of the very significant demand for skilled linguists with English as a native language across a wide range of sectors, and are working hard to raise awareness of the importance of languages amongst young people. Through our work with the National Networks for Translation and Interpreting and our Languages Work project we aim to help build a work force of professional linguists to fill the significant skill gaps across a range of industries, including the Interpreting and Translation Depts at the European Commission.’

Professor Michael Kelly, Director of Routes into Languages, said: ‘This news demonstrates the great demand for personnel in this professional field. We welcome these excellent opportunities for young people interested in working at the Commission.’

The EC’s interpreting services have produced a video clip to help young English speakers learn more about the interpreting professions. ‘Interpreting for Europe…into English’ is launched today on YouTube.

Refugees left lost in translation

A recent article in the Manchester evening News, highlighting the importance of correct translations, please see link below:

 http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1065767_refugees_left_lost_in_translation_

Immediate Translation Service for Mobile and PC

Together with Language2Office we have created a portable, easily accessible translation system to help welcome visitors to Liverpool 08

With a wide range of terms including expression phrases for

• Emergencies
• Greetings
• Directions
• Means of Transport
• Numbers and Time

We have brought conversation in English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Chinese and Japanese to your fingertips

On the move?

 Simply enter www.language2office.com/LIV08.htm  into the browser on your web-enabled mobile - or go to the page on your pc's browser and select ‘File/Send/Link by E-mail’ to send to your mobile’s email address

(Please note your mobile needs to be enabled to view Chinese and Japanese scripts)

Regional Language Network North West have developed these terms and worked with Language2Office to provide this system free throughout 2008.

On your PC? 

Just click on the L2O logo to search for phrases

If you would like to find our more about Language2Office systems and products, please visit www.language2office.com

Language Podcasts and much more...

You can now access free information on over 20 countries..

Together with our national partners, we offer you:

Podcasts - get an insight into the culture and business etiquette of key international markets, find out how others have developed business overseas and learn some basic words and phrases to help you get by.

Cultural briefings - a downloadable pdf that gives you an overview of cultural and business etiquette.

Talk the Talk - a downloadable pdf to help you learn those handy words and phrases.

To benefit from free and unlimited access to our resource area,

register now

Recognition of the value of languages

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has made specific reference to languages in two of the four priorities in its Annual Statement. The priorities set the focus for the organisation's work and investment in
2007/08.

The first priority is concerned with raising the quality and choice of learning opportunities for all young people. Language skills are recognised as an important asset to employers to improve their global competitiveness and providers are key to stimulating demand and revitalising the curriculum to reverse the decline in student numbers. Priority two aims to raise the skill base of the nation. Language capabilities for all will be addressed with support from the LSC for the virtual languages academy.

To download the Statement of Skills Priorities for the North West, visit

LSC NW

Education

New website launched for Diploma in Languages

A new website has been launched by the Diploma Development Partnership for Languages, providing information and advice on the innovative new qualification for students aged fourteen to nineteen: www.diploma-in-languages.co.uk

The new website includes information for teachers, managers and employers on how to get involved in the new Diploma in Languages. There is also advice for parents and students, useful links and information on careers with languages, as well as the latest news, developments and events.

The Diploma in Languages is one of 17 Diplomas, and is due to be launched in 2011. Diplomas are set to become one of the three main learning choices, alongside GCSEs/A levels and Apprenticeships. CILT is project partner in the development of the new Diploma in Languages, led by GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for passenger transport and travel.

The Diploma will blend theory and practice, showing how languages can be applied at work and at leisure. It aims to help students learn how language works as well as how we learn languages, so that they can become independent, lifelong language learners.

The innovative programme also proposes to introduce young people to translating and interpreting, and to teach them intercultural skills. The world’s first National Occupational Standards in Intercultural Working were launched by CILT last month: www.cilt.org.uk/standards/intercultural.htm

Dominic Luddy of the Diploma Development Partnership, said, ‘The Diploma in Languages is a very exciting and important development for language learning in England. We’re delighted to launch our new website which will help to keep our stakeholders well informed and involved – whether by attending consultation events in February, signing up to our newsletter or simply finding out more about the new qualification.’

If you would like to contribute to the development of the new Diploma, you can attend one of four regional consultation events taking place in London, Birmingham, Newcastle and Leeds between 9 – 23 February. The events are a chance for anyone working in schools, colleges and businesses to feedback on the draft content of the Diploma in Languages.

CILT’s 14-19 Reshaping Languages microsite also offers information about the Diploma in Languages and the new work-related Diplomas. These include case studies, interviews and video clips of schools and colleges demonstrating excellent best practice at incorporating languages into the Diplomas. The website is full of information, ideas and advice for everyone involved in teaching languages in the 14-19 sector: www.cilt.org.uk/14to19

To get students thinking about languages and careers, CILT has produced free Languages Work posters and postcards relating to the employment sectors covered by the work-related Diplomas, including Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, and Creative and Media. There are also two specially produced Languages Work fact sheets to tell you everything you need to know about languages in engineering and the building industry: www.languageswork.org.uk/resources

New Bilingual Reading Books for Children

EAL Resources has just published 8 Portuguese bi-lingual books aimed at young readers which will help forge their bilingual abilities. For more information please click here

Children set to overtake adults in language learning

While giving up a language at school remains the biggest regret from adult Britons’ schooldays, according to a recent survey of UK adults, children are already starting to make up for their parents’ lack of language skills as a result of government plans to make language teaching available in every primary school in England by 2010.

To meet the demands from schools and parents looking for ways of developing children’s language skills, CILT, the National Centre for Languages is hosting the nation’s biggest ever event for primary languages in Liverpool on 6-7 March where teachers, head teachers and parents can get up-to-date with the latest information and resources for young language learners.

The CILT Primary Languages Show at the new Liverpool ACC venue includes a free exhibition where parents interested in seeing their children get ahead with language learning can find out about the latest resources and news.

Chris Greene, an advisory teacher at Liverpool’s Local Authority, is well aware of the benefits of learning a language early in life.  His work with St Austin’s Primary school in Garston, Liverpool, helped to earn the school a European Award for Languages last year for their project learning Spanish through interactive DVDs and web resources.

‘Kids are extremely enthusiastic about languages and pick them up very quickly,’ he says. ‘Some of the children at our school have taken their resources home and used them to help their parents to learn Spanish, so that they can have fun with language together.’

The CILT Primary Languages Show brings together teachers and head teachers from all over the UK, to take part in workshops on everything from teaching languages through salsa, puppets and the Eurovision song contest, to discussions on how to ease transition in languages from primary to secondary school.

With interest in languages in the primary school growing all the time, the Show is expecting over 1000 delegates this year and has moved from its previous venue at the Manchester Conference Centre to the larger space of Liverpool’s new ACC venue.

Language teaching amongst young learners has grown rapidly over the last few years - from 44% of English primary schools teaching a language in 2002 to 84% in 2008- and many schools are looking for support and ideas on how to bring languages into the classroom. CILT provides support to teachers through resources including its new Primary Languages website – www.primarylanguages.org.uk – which will be launching at the Primary Languages Show this weekend.

Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, said: ‘The progress that we have seen in the last few years in language teaching in primary schools is extremely encouraging.  It’s fantastic that more children than ever are learning languages, and hopefully they will carry their enthusiasm for languages through into later life – and maybe they can even pass on some of their language skills to their mums and dads!’

To find out more about the CILT Primary Languages Show and Exhibition, visit www.cilt.org.uk/pls

Prize-winning pictures about languages drawn by local Liverpool children available on request

For further information contact:

Catherine Mansfield

Press OfficerCILT, the National Centre for Languages

catherine.mansfield@cilt.org.uk
020 7633 3315

Conference shows benefits of speaking a community language

A national conference taking place in Southampton in July will explore the benefits for children and teenagers of being able to speak a language other than English. Although 300 languages are spoken in London alone, many young people who speak another language with their family are unaware of the benefits that their language skills can bring them, both now and later in life.

Raissa is studying her A levels at a North London school, and is busy making plans for her future. ‘I’m doing medicine at university,’ she says. ‘I think my language will be useful in the future with patients of Pakistani background or Indian background.’

 Unlike many UK teenagers who speak another language at home, Urdu-speaker Raissa has come to see her language skills as an asset and is thinking about how she may be able to use them in her future career. Her comments are taken from a video on the website for Our Languages, a project aimed at raising the status of community languages: www.ourlanguages.org.uk

  The Our Languages project helps to raise the profile of community languages by supporting links between mainstream schools and supplementary or complementary schools. When the project began in 2007 there were nine schools involved in London, Birmingham Leicester and Manchester; now there are 89 schools involved across England.

 The Our Languages project will be one of the key focuses of this year’s Community Languages National Conference in Southampton on 15 July. The conference will celebrate the results of the project so far, as well as exploring other important aspects of community language learning including community cohesion, family learning, and links with literacy.

 A free exhibition will run alongside the conference, giving delegates the chance to browse the latest resources for the teaching and learning of community languages. The conference will also host the official launch of the Curriculum Guides in Cantonese, Gujarati, Somali and Yoruba, published by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in association with Goldsmiths, University of London.

 Open to all those involved in teaching community languages both to primary and secondary aged children, the annual conference is growing year on year. CILT’s 2008 Languages Trends Survey of English secondary schools showed a growing interest in languages spoken in the local community, including Mandarin, Arabic, Urdu and Polish, highlighting an increased recognition that these languages are of global significance and should not be overlooked.

 The conference will also explore the benefits of developing a community language on other aspects of learning, including literacy. Not only can young people’s language skills give them an advantage in their chosen careers, but research has also shown that being bilingual can boost attainment across the mainstream curriculum. 

 There are also strong cultural reasons for providing formal learning to pupils in their heritage language. ‘Going to complementary school to learn about their language helps pupils feel secure about their identity and more in touch with their roots,’ said Sarah Cartwright of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, which leads the Our Languages consortium. ‘They meet other children like themselves, make friends within their community, engage in cultural activities and, most important of all, gain in self-esteem.

 We have come a long way in raising the profile of community languages, although there is still much to be done. We would like to see even more schools celebrating their pupils’ languages and helping them to see the benefits that having another language can give them both now and later in life.’

 The Community Languages National Conference takes place on Wednesday 15 July in Southampton. The conference costs £75, or £25 for delegates from complementary schools. To register, visit www.cilt.org.uk/cpd/clshow.htm

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Catherine Mansfield

Press Officer

CILT, the National Centre for Languages

catherine.mansfield@cilt.org.uk
020 7633 3315

A Level Results

UK A level results published 14th August 2008 show that  take up of languages at A level remains stable, with a high  proportion of pupils continuing to achieve top grades relative to  other subjects. Students taking A level languages this year were amongst the highest achievers of all entrants, with higher proportions of pupils gaining A grades than in most other subjects.  A grades were achieved by 37.3% of applicants in French, 38.4% in German and 38.7% in Spanish. In other modern languages the percentage of high achievers was particularly high, with 48.7% of entrants gaining A grades. Teresa Tinsley, Director of Communications at CILT, the National Centre for Languages said: ‘This evidence shows that the UK is producing high performing linguists who, if they continue their languages through to university, are likely to be in high demand in the job market. However, languages ought not to be just for our most talented linguists, and we need to encourage more students to continue with a language, even if they don’t feel they can aspire to a top grade.’ Today’s results confirm that a far greater  percentage of girls than boys take A levels in French (68.6% female,  31.4% male) and Spanish (66.7% female, 33.3% male). In German the  gender split is less extreme, with 60.4% female and 39.6% male  candidates, while in other modern languages the proportion of male  to female was significantly more even, with 57% female candidates  compared to 43% male candidates. French remains the most popular language taken at A level, with more than twice the number of applicants sitting exams in French as in Spanish, the second most commonly taken language.  The number of applicants was up this year by 2.8% in French and 1.5% in Spanish, while numbers in German were down by 0.9%. Other languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Russian, have shown steady increases in entry every year since 2002. As today’s figures include results from maintained  schools, independent schools and higher and adult education, it  would be misleading to draw firm conclusions from them about what is  happening in state secondary schools. A more detailed breakdown of school figures will be published by the DCSF in due course.   

<http://www.cilt.org.uk/>

High Level Skills Consultation

The Minister of State for Higher Education, Bill Rammell, launched a consultation to build stronger links between business and universities.

The High Level Skills consultation aims to gather the views of employers, students, colleges and universities on how to raise the skills of those already in work and also ensure graduates have the ability to help businesses compete on a global market.

Read more

Public sector

Other news

Funding for English classes to be retargeted to aid integration

Public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it will have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham announced...

To read full article, click here

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