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Students speak up for languages

An innovative scheme to raise interest in studying languages in the North East is enjoying both praise and success. Northumbria University is taking a series of roadshows into schools and providing 20-minute taster sessions in Spanish, German and Polish. Student ambassadors have also given talks about why they chose to study languages and the career path they intend to take.

Dr Lesley Twomey, Principal Lecturer in Hispanic Studies, said: “The feedback from schools has been tremendous. “We ask the students to say whether they have ever considered studying a foreign language. Many of them say they haven’t but then change their mind after our roadshow. “There’s a reluctance to learn modern languages in this country but I think this is more marked in certain parts of the North East. We can seem more removed from Europe in this region and there often hasn’t been a recognition of how much it boosts your career prospects when you can speak a foreign language.”

Gary Frankland, Curriculum Leader for Modern Languages, who has worked at Blyth Community College in Northumberland for 20 years, said: “I fully understand the importance of broadening horizons and enhancing the cultural experience of young people here. “The roadshow provided a link with Higher Education which will ‘plant seeds’ and hopefully raise aspirations about language study in future years. In addition, the opportunity to meet student ambassadors who represent excellent role models in their commitment to and enthusiasm for languages was a major factor in the success of the event.”

The roadshows have been aimed at 12-18-year-olds in schools in Northumberland, Co. Durham and Tyne and Wear, and have typically been offered in areas with records of low participation in Higher Education. The project has been awarded £15,000 of funding from the European Social Fund with matched funding from the University.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .