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The Business of Language
The Regional Language Networks (RLNs) in the North of England jointly offer a Languages Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) Service, which provides data and other LMI on foreign language skills in the North East, North West and Yorkshire & Humber. Foreign languages are important for economic development e.g. companies need to know the availability of certain language skills before they choose a location for their business. Reliable data on foreign languages can attract companies to an area and help create new jobs. The RLNs are conducting an online survey, which was launched on the 26th September 2006, European Day of Languages, to identify the availability of foreign language skills for business in the North East, North West, and Yorkshire & Humber. This is the first survey of its kind and it will provide valuable data for the three regions. To take part in the survey and enter the prize draw visit, www.languagesurvey.co.uk.  RLN - New Tourism ServiceWe are pleased to be able to offer a new FREE resource for Accommodation Providers. Our target is to be the 'Most Welcoming Region' and we wish to attract more international visitors. The experience may begin many months before the visit - by looking at a website, reading a brochure, attending an exhibition - and progress to a short stay trip, then extend to a return visit with friends and family. On arrival, the Visitor will always appreciate a friendly professional manner and clear information and instructions. Excellent customer care is good for business.
 One NorthEast staff enjoyed Polish and Chinese language and cultural sessions organised by the RLN. A variety of Language Taster sessions were held at Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University also got involved with a host of activities. Visit our events pages to find out more. Many schools across the region also took part in celebrations. Over 300 children at Burnside First School in Cramlington used the EDL game and stickers produced by CILT, the National Centre for Languages as well as hosting French and Spanish Cafés.
If you took part in, or organised an event on the day, please remember to share the details with thousands of people across Europe on the Council of Europe website at http://www.ecml.at/edl/.
You can also visit the CILT website to give your feedback on this year's EDL materials and events at http://www.cilt.org.uk/edl/index.htm.
BLIS Services is the one stop shop for language and cultural expertise comprising: BLIS Jobs - The job site for people with languages BLIS Professionals - The database of international communication experts BLIS Courses - Language Courses across the UK BLIS Facilities - Directory of business language support services BLIS Services is a unique portal, helping private companies, SMEs and public organisations overcome international communication issues. Log on to BLIS and turn a barrier into an opportunity!
BLIS Professionals - Featured ProfessionalThe Featured professional for the autumn edition of our e-newsletter is AMF Tuition.
 AMF French is the business of Alison Fisher BA (Hons) PGCE and was created in 1993 in response to local demand for French language training. Alison specialises in distance-learning or one-to-one tuition and is based in Wylam in the Tyne Valley.
She teaches OCNNER Business French levels 1 and 2, which has recently become the Certificate in Language Skills levels 1 and 2. Students are entered for accreditation through the Centre of the Association of Part-Time Tutors , of which she is the voluntary membership secretary. AMF French develops distance-learning teaching to give students the opportunity of studying, if they don't have time to attend classes. Distance courses have well-written original material backed up by telephone oral tuition. Alison is developing Podcasts to give extra listening practice on iPod. "Re-think on languages"Secretary for State for Education Alan Johnson has signalled that the optional status of languages in the post-14 curriculum in England is to be reviewed. The comments were made during a question and answer session on 13 September, following a speech at the Social Market Foundation.
He talked of the decision to make languages optional, saying 'We are wondering whether we should have done that now. We are having another rethink about that.' His comments follow disappointment at the number of students taking language GCSEs this summer. Director of CILT, the National Centre for Languages, Isabella Moore said: 'CILT, the National Centre for Languages would support any move to strengthen the status of language learning in the post-14 curriculum. As this year's GCSE results show, the numbers of students enjoying the various benefits of language learning is falling. The Secretary for State for Education is therefore quite rightly concerned about the linguistic capability of our young people, who will need language skills to compete in the global jobs market.' CILT Corporate Plan ConsultationCILT is coming to the end of the first three-year period as the National Centre for Languages and has begun the process of drafting its Corporate Plan for 2007-2010. As you may be aware, in order to help CILT play the most effective possible role as the National Centre for Languages, we are asking partners and stakeholders for feedback on how best we can help develop the nation's language capability.
We have set out what we consider to be the key issues to address in developing the UK's capability in languages and what progress we would like to see by the end of the decade and would like feedback on our analysis of these issues. The consultation asks for views on priorities for the future as well as an assessment of how well we have achieved our aims as set out in the last Corporate Plan.
The consultation can be completed on-line until 31 December at www.cilt.org.uk/cpconsultation. RLN NE WebsiteThe Languages Data section of the RLN website has been updated. You can find a new report on the first language of school pupils in the North and an overview of the LMI service.
We've also updated the news section of the website, check out the link below to read some of the latest language news articles from across the web.
The next issue of the Business of Language will be out in the New Year. |
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We are always interested to learn what you think of the newsletter and what sort of information you would like to read in future editions. E-mail: rln-northeast@onenortheast.co.uk with your ideas, comments and suggestions, or if you have any queries, wish to advise us of a change of e-mail address or change of contact details. Students - If you are graduating this year and would like to continue receiving the Business of Language, please provide us with a non-university contact e-mail address. Please circulate The Business of Language to friends or colleagues who may find this of interest. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter or updates, or you have received it in error please reply to this message with NO NEWSLETTER in the subject field.
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