Languages

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Languages Careers Resource Pack Presentation

• Careers Europe

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THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET
OF TOMORROW
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There has never been a time when the ability to
communicate with other cultures and in their own
languages was more important to our nations well
being and prosperity

• Our young people must develop the competence,
  confidence, and contacts, which
• will secure their place and influence in an
• increasingly global society
• Tony Blair

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English is not enough We are fortunate to speak
a global language but, in a smart and competitive
world, exclusive reliance on English leaves the
UK vulnerable and dependent on the linguistic
competence and the goodwill of others. Source
Nuffield Languages Enquiry
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Young people from the UK are at a disadvantage
in the recruitment market. The UK workforce
suffers from a chronic shortage of people at all
levels with usable language skills. Companies
increasingly need personnel with technical or
professional skills plus another language, and
often their only option is to recruit native
speakers of other languages. Source Nuffield
Languages Enquiry
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UK trade to the EU as a proportion of the total
has increased from 35 to 60 since the
introduction of the single European market
3.5m jobs are now linked to EU trade
8 of the 10 most important export markets for
the UK are in Europe
Minister for Further and Higher Education
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The UK Exports more to France than the
Commonwealth
Exports more to Germany than the USA
Exports more to Belgium than Japan
UK Secretary of State for Trade
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70 of British companies conduct business in
other countries Source Survey in Professional
Manager Journal  
90 of jobs involving languages are in sectors
such as sales, marketing and finance and not in
translating, teaching. Source Observer
September 2002
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20 of companies in the South West and North East
of England are losing business because they lack
language and cultural skills   Source National
Languages Strategy 2002     Experts believe
Britain could double its trade with Europe, if we
could overcome language barriers   Source
Observer September 2002
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Secretarial and Clerical Staff with languages can
earn 20 extra than those with only English The
Guardian
We would not now recruit graduates who have not
spent a period of time in another
country Personnel Director Volkswagen.
Graduates with foreign language skills can expect
to earn at least 10 more than those without
Source Reed Recruitment 2001
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Business Success today and in the future will be
determined by a companys ability to exploit
market opportunities on a global basis. The
ability to service customers in their preferred
language gives an instant competitive
edge. Managing Director Rocal Safety Systems
Speaking another language is not merely a skill
to be admired today but a vitally important
business asset Managing Director, York Place
Company Services Ltd
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Which Languages? Recent surveys have shown that
the five business languages most in demand are
German, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch  
In a world context, there is increasing demand for
Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin/Cantonese, Portuguese
and Russian
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Examples of recent jobs found by Language
Graduates from Bangor University Sales
Administrator British
Midland European Coordinator Tetra Plc
Trainee Accountant Price Waterhouse Plc
English Teacher Ecole Nicolas, Paris Trainee
Executive Midland Bank Police Officer
Royal Air Force
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Every citizen of Europe has the right to work or
study in another member state, but to fully take
advantage of this opportunity knowledge of the
host countrys language is essential. By
learning a language, any language, we come closer
to a foreign culture and learn to know and
appreciate each other and accept our differences
Source Viviane Reading European Commission
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Why Do British Young People Not
Learn Languages?
Take up European and International Opportunities?
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15 of UK Nationals can speak another language
fluently
66 of British people have absolutely no
knowledge of any other language than English
65 of German Nationals can speak another
language to a reasonable level
Daily Telegraph Gallup Survey 2000
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In recent years, the numbers of students taking
French A level has decreased by 23
German A level has decreased by 10
Media Studies A level has increased by 102
Business Studies A level has increased by 41
The Media and Business world needs language skills
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In 2001, the numbers of students studying
language courses at university decreased by
3 Source UCAS   90 of jobs involving languages
are in sectors such as sales, marketing and
financing and not in translating,
teaching Source Observer September 2002
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Three times as many young people from EEA
countries visit the UK to study, work or train
than vice versa
UK Nationals are missing opportunities.
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The numbers of UK students undertaking
SOCRATES-ERASMUS placements is in decline
Twice as many European students visit the UK for
SOCRATES-ERASMUS placements as vice versa.
Source SOCRATES\ERASMUS Bureau
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Lack of UK mobility is a complex issue with a
number of causes. Here are some possible
contributory factors
Island nation
The Empire mentality
Hostile press
Hostile politicians
The importance of English worldwide
Lack of awareness of the opportunities available
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN EUROPE AND
BEYOND
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FREEDOM of MOVEMENT
UK Nationals have the right to live, work, study
or train in any of the countries of the European
Union and European Economic area. These countries
are
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Working Abroad
Studying Abroad
Training Placements
Language Assistants
Summer Jobs
Voluntary Work
Learning a Language
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Studying in Europe
Exchange Programmes Socrates-Erasmus
Full Time Study in Europe
For example, 10,000 UK students study abroad
under the Socrates- Erasmus programme each year
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SOCRATES-ERASMUS programme
An example
Susan Tanner studying Business Studies spent a
year of the course studying Business Studies at a
University in Hannover in Germany
SOCRATES-ERASMUS placements are available in
courses from Accountancy to Zoology.
Additional funding is provided by the European
Commission.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Working in Europe
Summer or Holiday Jobs
Work Experience Placements e.g. LEONARDO
Permanent work in another country
Long-term opportunities in another country
Opportunities in the UK labour market to use
languages learned
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The Leonardo programme
An example
Domenique White studying Hotel and Catering in
the UK spent 3 months working as a Hotel
Receptionist in Madrid.
Since then she has decided to return and live in
Madrid. 
Leonardo placements are funded work experience
placements, which are an integral part of a UK
course. The European Commission provides
additional funding.
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A personal view of mobility
The exchange has worked well for me, and I have
expanded my knowledge of forestry. I feel much
more confident with my work now and the skills I
learnt in Norway will be enormously useful in the
UK.
Berris Charnley an HND Forestry student, who
spent 3 months in Norway working as a part of the
Forestry team on the Fritzoe Skoger Estate
through the Leonardo programme
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Other possibilities
Voluntary Work
Travel and Year Out opportunities
Teaching Assistant
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Examples
European Voluntary Service (EVS)
A scheme funded by the European Commission
It is FREE to UK nationals
It is aimed at young people aged between 18 and
25.
It provides free travel and accommodation It
gives pocket money
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Examples
German summer courses
Offers German courses at various venues in
Germany for three weeks during the summer holidays
Provided by the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst.
For students aged 16 to 18.
They must be studying German at A-level or
equivalent.
The scheme provides FREE German tuition and
accommodation in Germany.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Skills Required and Developed
Language
Experience of living, working and studying in
other cultures
Confidence\Maturity
Job\Subject Specific skills and knowledge
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The island mentality is deep seated within our
culture. Whilst an understanding of cultural
history and norms is central to our well - being,
such an aspiration often results in insularity.
Current and future students will be members of
an international community. This will require an
understanding of different cultures and
communities far beyond that which has been our
current practice
Source Secondary Heads Association Policy
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Want to find out more?
EuroFacts and Global Facts series
International careers information leaflets
The Careers Europe database of International
Careers Information
EXODUS
Available in careers centres and libraries
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Careers Europe Web Site  
http//www.careerseurope.co.uk/