The Business of Language
A Guide to Language and Cultural Issues - Spring Edition

In this issue...

• Language and cultural events
• Census consultation
• 2006 World cup
• BLIS Jobs
• Featured BLIS Professional
• Eurolinks
• rln-northeast.com
• Competition! Win a 1966 England World Cup shirt

 Language and Cultural Events

Language World 2006 - 7th/8th April
Language World 2006 will take place from 7-8 April at the University of Manchester and includes the UK's largest exhibition of language teaching materials. The full programme for this spring's major languages event is still available, view it on our Events page.

Adult Education Languages Show - 9th June
The conference will be hosted by Isabella Moore, Director of CILT and is organised in collaboration with ALL, the Comenius Netword Centre, and the Black Country 14-19 Pathfinder.  Fee: £110 full fee, £100 CILT Direct and ALL members. To be sent an application form when it becomes available, please e-mail conferences@cilt.org.uk or tel: 020 7379 5101, quoting reference: 261LE0606AES

 Census consultation

In May 2005, a consultation document on the topics for inclusion in the next UK Census was published.  Language was not included and English language proficiency was considered to have insufficient evidence of user demand.  Around 80 responses to the consultation were received from a variety of central government, local authority and other data users commenting on the language subject, mostly with regard to languages spoken.

As a result, languages have been placed in the highest category possible indicating a very strong user requirement but due to other considerations, further work must be carried out before a decision can be made on its inclusion in the 2011 Census.

For more information about the Census Consultation and languages visit our Language Skills Data pages.

 2006 World Cup

Starwatch - The 2006 World Cup Youth Challenge

The World Cup is a great opportunity to engage students, particularly boys, in some stimulating activities. This marriage of sport and languages is an increasingly popular one not just in the UK, but across Europe.

Starwatch is an initiative to engage young people in the UK, Germany, Holland, Italy and the Czech Republic in language and fitness projects linked to this year's World Cup. Resource packs are available to anyone working with students aged 12 to 18 in the UK. These are already being sent to all UK secondary schools, with additional resources available on request. There is also a competition with winners attending a Finale event in Munich in early July. Find out more by logging onto our Events page.

Fussball and beer drinking

Ahead of the World Cup finals in Germany this summer a number of England fans have been learning a little of the German language. The BBC reported about fans who are receiving free German lessons to learn such phrases as "Tor! - Goal!" and "Schiri, bist du blind? Are you blind, ref?". You can read the full article on the News section of our website and pick up a few other useful phrases. Why not enter our competition and you could win yourself a language pack (you could try German) or a replica 1966 England World Cup shirt!

  BLIS Jobs

There are currently a number of interesting and high profile vacancies advertised on BLIS Jobs in the North East, March saw 21 new vacancies added! There are details of some of the vacancies below, visit www.blis.org.uk for the full list.

Policy Officer (European Liaison), Newcastle City Centre, £18,450-28,221
You will support and advise Members of the North East Assembly on European issues, working with the Manager (Europe and Government Liaison). You will have particular responsibility for working with the Assembly’s partner organisations in the region and supporting the work of the region’s European Strategy Group.

German speaking Account Executive, Newcastle City Centre, £15k
As account executive you will be responsible for providing business customers with a high level of customer service, building relationships and maximising on all sales opportunities.

Sales Manager for Eastern Europe, North Shields, £40k
A global manufacturer of pressure relief systems is looking for an experienced Sales Manager to be responsible for the development of the Eastern European market. With responsibility for a team of office based Bilingual Business Development Executives and field based Territory Sales Managers you must be highly experienced in people management and sales management and be prepared to spend a significant amount of time in your territory. All applicants must speak fluent Russian and English to be considered.

Procter & Gamble, Financial & Accounting Services with Languages. Dutch, French, German, Italian, Romanian and Spanish speakers.
Procter & Gamble is seeking highly motivated individuals to take on a variety of challenging roles at different levels with its European Financial Services Centre based at Cobalt Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. Vacancies exist in the Financial & Accounting Services organisation in the following service areas: General Accounting Cost and Product Accounting, Fixed Asset and Capital Accounting, Banking and Treasury Expense Control Reporting, Financial Data Reporting and Accounts Payable.

German, Spanish, Italian and French Speaking Customer Service Representative, County Durham, £25k
Tanfield Group Plc are looking for a bright, articulate person to join their Customer Service Team. They should be based in, or able to move to the North East of England. The job will involve taking calls from customers all over Europe and Middle / Far East for orders and delivery queries.

To find out more about these vacancies or to search the full listings on BLIS Jobs visit www.blis.org.uk/jobs.

  BLIS Professionals - Williams Language Solutions

The RLN is offering all of its BLIS Professionals the chance to feature their service in our e-newsletter or on our website. The first featured profile is Williams Language Solutions, a particular focus is on the brand new e-learning course 'Destination Italy' developed by Dr Stefania Williams.

Williams Language Solutions offers translations, interpreting, cross-cultural consultancy and language training. They specialise in consultancy for SMEs to increase or develop their export strategy.

Williams Language Solutions specialises in the Italian market. In light of this they have developed a new online course Destination Italy, offering an introduction to the language and culture of doing business in Italy. Read the profile here.

If you would like to feature your service send an email to Kasia.Fiderkiewicz@onenortheast.co.uk.

  Eurolinks event.

A day long Eurolinks event was held at Hotel Bannatyne in Darlington on 15th March. It was attended by pupils from the town's Polam Hall School to help them with their French, Spanish and German GCSEs. The girls worked alongside professional business consultants to complete a series of multi-lingual business tasks. Presentations were given by Cyndi Beaver, representing Stephen Hughes MEP and Kasia Fiderkiewicz of the RLN. Events such as Eurolinks are an exciting and innovative way to demonstrate to our younger language learners how important these skills are in the business world.

The RLN is keen to support events such as these, contact us now to find out how we can help to promote your event. Alternatively, if you'd like to offer your expertise for future events such as Eurolinks, let us know.

 rln-northeast.com

• A language learning pack up to the value of £50; language and level of your choice (why not try German in prepartion for June)

• A 1966 England World Cup football shirt