The Business of Language East Midlands issue 23 - March 2009

Over twenty schools and sixteen businesses have been involved in our Business Language Champions programme so far this year.  Through partnerships and one-off visits, they've been busy spreading the message that languages are a beneficial skill in any career.

We'd like to take this opportunity to showcase some of the good work going on in the region and extend our thanks to all of our Business Language Champions for doing their bit to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

Seasoned Champions:

As well as continuing her successful partnership with English Martyrs School, Lorraine Harris from Classic Motos has also established a second partnership with Wreake Valley College.  Lorraine has made numerous visits to both schools this year undertaking business-related language activities with Year 9 and 10 students.

Also flying the flag again this year are our 'roving ambassadors', who regularly make themselves available for language events across the region.  Independent automotive professional, David Slyjex, Sally Fagan from Rendez-Vous Management Consultancy, Kiyoko Naish from Qi Concepts Ltd, Ray Taylor frmo Reach Beyond and International Trade Advisor for UKTI Gordon Binnie, are just a few of the ambassadors who are constantly championing languages in our schools.

New kids on the block:

Many new companies have become involved with the Business Language Champions programme this year, including Optima Training Ltd who are working with the Grove School in Newark.  The organisation, which provides language training for business, has already visited the school to deliver an interactive language-based session to students.

Fibretech has also formed a successful new partnership with Ashfield School, based in Sutton in Ashfield.  Together they have developed an ongoing cross-curricular project incorporating languages, engineering and IT.

Trevor Lane from Bespoke Training Associates recently held an engaging talk at Djangoly City Academy in Nottingham.  Although not a linguist himself, he has learned the value of languages through his experience as an overseas account manager for multinational companies and was able to share that experience with pupils. Trevor now plans to visit other schools in the region.

Translation agency AST Language Services Ltd recently kicked off their partnership with Ellis Guilford School.  The agency delivered a languages talk to pupils and facilitated a workshop to get them thinking about how languages could figure in their future plans.  They plan to develop the partnership with Ellis Guilford as well as working with other schools in the Nottingham area.

Flying High:

Proving the fact that languages have benefits across the board in terms of careers, The RAF have been a big hit on the BLC programme this year.  Their mulitlingual staff have visited four schools in the region and inspired students by showing a different side to the rewards that language fluency can bring.

Scoring multiple hits:

Mark Wingfield from MAX Conflict Management has successfully supported a number of schools and projects this year.  To date he has visited six schools to engage students in multilingual self-defence workshops in either French or German.  Mark also held a workshop in Nottingham City Library for European Day of Languages.

Advice for life:

Eures Advisor for the East Midlands, Maie Wilburn, is a linguist with many years experience of advising on job placements.  She has recently supported Queen Elizabeth School in Ashbourne on their careers day and plans to visit other schools in the near future.

Cooking up success:

Louise Luiggi, a fluent French speaker from the successful Nottingham restaurant French Living, regularly lends her time to schools across the region.  This year she has run workshops at South Wolds School, Colonel Frank Seely School and Southwell Minster.

The shape of things to come: 

Another recent addition to the BLC programme this year is Speedo, who will be forming a partnership with one of our Specialist Language Colleges, South Wolds School in Nottingham, due to the variety of languages used by the business.  Linda Mobaraki from TIS services will also shortly be linking up with Chenderit School and Pachachuti will be continuing their successful partnership with Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

Waiting in the wings:

There are also a number of businesses who have pledged their time to the programme and who we hope to match up with suitable schools over the coming weeks.  Edward Shaw from Castle Pumps has already run a workshop at Southwell Minster and is planning to work with other schools in the area and Paul Tomlinson from J O Sims will be working with a school in Lincolnshire.  Johnson Diversey and Trekmates will also be matched with suitable schools in the near future.

And finally....

A massive thank you goes to all of our Business Language Champions for giving up their time to help us spread positive messages about languages to our region's youngsters.  We simply couldn't do it without your help and support!

For more information on the BLC programme please visit our website or contact the RLN on 01332 826432.