The document discusses the benefits of studying languages. It provides six reasons for studying languages: it can help get a job, it is exciting, it allows you to travel, it helps you meet new people, it allows you to experience new cultures, and it helps you learn more about yourself. It then discusses evidence that language graduates have lower unemployment rates than many other fields. It also notes that employers value the communication, teamwork, and other skills developed through language learning.
1. Why Study Languages Why Study Languages Produced by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies … When Everyone Speaks English? Endorsed by Languages Work
2. Sex Goda Skäl För Att Studera Språk… Did you understand? Du kan få ett jobb Du har nytta av det ute i världen Du kommer att träffa mycket folk Du lär känna dig själv bättre Du kan uppleva nya kulturer Det är spännande
3. Six Good Reasons for Studying Languages… It’ll get you a job It’s exciting It gets you places You’ll meet loads of new people You can enjoy new cultures You’ll find out more about yourself
4. It’ll Get You a Job A few facts about language graduates and employability But first – which of the following subjects do YOU think have the best job prospects? Physical Sciences German Law Mathematics Biological Sciences English Education Business Studies French Agriculture/Forestry Psychology Medical Sciences
5. It’ll Get You a Job Average un employment rates for new graduates in the UK 1996-2002 Medicine / Dentistry / Vet Science 0.44% Education 3.19% Law 3.65% German 4.67% French 4.85% All Modern Languages 5.51% Mathematics 6.21% Physical Sciences 6.25% English 6.49% Biological Sciences 6.61% Psychology 6.64% Business / Administration 6.66% Agriculture/Forestry 6.70% Source: Keith Marshall, 2003
6. It’ll Get You a Job “ Being able to speak other languages is a skill that gets you ahead” The UK trades with over 200 countries worldwide (Source: Trade Partners UK, 2002) "UK businesses need people with language skills, to operate at all levels." (Languages Work Handbook for Languages and Careers, CILT 2004 ) “ Overseas inward investment into this country means that multilinguals are needed in the UK” (Higher Education Advisory Panel) “ Communication barriers lead to missed business opportunities” (Plasberg, U. (1999) ‘Building bridges to Europe: languages for students of other disciplines’ in the Language Learning Journal, No. 20, pp. 51-58)
7. It’ll Get You a Job It’s not just language skills either Employers say they value the key skills developed by language learners – these include: communication skills • team working skills interpersonal skills • presentation skills problem solving skills • organisational skills good learning strategies… … can you think of any more?
8. It Gets You Places Living abroad is an experience… “ Going to university was amazing but going to Mexico was the best experience in my entire life – it was absolutely fantastic. It was the Mexican culture and generally being in such a fantastic country – it was just so different to being in the UK”
9. It Gets You Places You learn so much… “ You arrive and you have to learn about new customs and where people live. You learn to deal with new people. You have to think about every word you speak until suddenly you are fluent. It makes you appreciate home too” Suzanne is going back abroad after her final year to marry her Mexican boyfriend
10. You’ll Meet Loads of New People “ I’ve made lots of new friends, it’s really widened my horizons” Using a language is a social activity and language learning leads to encounters with people from many backgrounds “ Speaking with people from different cultures is very enriching. Languages enable you to do this” “ Learning a language develops your interest in other people”
11. It’s Exciting Arabic • Chinese • Czech Dutch • French • German Gujerati • Hebrew • Hindi Indonesian • Irish • Italian Japanese • Polish • Portuguese Russian • Sanskrit • Slovak Spanish • Swahili • Swedish Tamil • Thai • Turkish • Welsh … and many more… Languages you can choose at University include
12. It’s Exciting There are different language learning options after GCSE Study an A level, study a different GCSE language, do a practical vocational language course, mix it with other subjects! Science • drama • film & media politics & society • history • Engineering • European Studies • International Studies • Business Studies • Leisure & Tourism
13. And If You Still Need Convincing… Maximum Career Prospects You will be very employable Maximum Experience There are lots of personal benefits Maximum Choice There are many languages and courses to choose from Maximum Fun It’s certainly not all work and no play Studying languages means Produced by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
