This document contains testimonials from several individuals about the benefits of studying languages. Some key benefits mentioned include: - Increased opportunities for travel, studying abroad, and career opportunities requiring language skills. - Broader worldview and cultural awareness from interacting with other language speakers and immersing oneself in other cultures. - Personal growth from experiences living and studying in other countries and increased confidence in language abilities. - Languages making individuals more well-rounded and attractive candidates for employers.

1. Languages
Nadia DiNiro

2. Why do you think Languages
are important to have?
Communicate with
Spanish/French/German etc
speakers
It’s a bonus and makes you
stand out
My teacher says they
are important!

3. This is why I believe Languages
are SO important!

4. Travel
Year Abroad
Open mind
Cultural awareness
Communication
Better opportunities - FACT
Confidence

5. Make many friends from all walks
of life

6. Granada
Madrid Barcelona
Sierra Nevada
Seville
Almeria
Gibraltar

7. Pisa
Rimini Sienna Turin
Venice
Milan
FerraraRome

8. ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands,
that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language,
that goes to his heart.’
Nelson Mandela

9. "I studied French and Spanish at university, and whilst I was
there I joined the Army and became a 2Lt in the Royal
Artillery. With operations all over the world and increasing
pressure to maintain international relations, the Army is a
brilliant place to develop languages. Nowadays as an officer, if
you want to promote past Captain you must gain a foreign
language qualification, paid for by the Army of course. If you
show proficiency for languages, you can be sent on full-time
courses before being deployed abroad to use them. Spanish is
vitally important for the SAS as they have lots of work in
South America. We also have a significant number of soldiers
serving in Africa where French is a very prominent language. A
wide variety of languages is needed constantly though -
Russian, Arabic and Pashto are just some. With language skills
you'll be very highly valued in any part of the Armed Forces“
Nikki Reid, 22, Bolton

10. So I studied languages to give me more opportunities
and to travel (this sounds so cringe but it is true!)
I didn't know what I wanted to study at College or
University, so I thought if I chose a language it would be
most valuable to me and recognisable to an employer.
Obviously my year abroad was amazing and I'm now
working for Tiffany and Co in the Italian department. I will
be moving to the Czech Republic this January with the
company. All this would not have been possible without
studying languages!
Charlotte Clark, 23, Kent

11. Probably one of the best opportunities as a languages student
was my year abroad in Dijon, France.
I made the most of cheap travel round the country, made
international friends and even found a French flat in the city all
by myself. These experiences have massively boosted my
confidence when using my French in both conversational and
professional capacities- for instance, I recently had phone
interviews for a Media Analysis company based in Paris. I’ve
also found that having a languages degree is a huge
advantage when applying for roles in the Media industry, as
communication skills are key. This is something I was able to
put into practice during work experience at a PR agency. I am
now moving to London to work in the Media industry.
Victoria Mckeever, 22, Preston

12. I did French at school which allowed me to do Spanish at
college. As a result of doing Spanish at college, I went to
University and spent a year studying in Spain as part of my
course, which meant living and going to University in Madrid.
The year was absolutely amazing and has definitely changed
my worldview and plans for the future, for the better. Having
now finished university I'm preparing to go volunteering in
Nicaragua (still using my Spanish!) followed by more travelling
after in America. Spending the year in Spain definitely fed my
enthusiasm to travel more! Finally, I was lucky enough to get a
really competitive graduate job, and I was told by my employer
that my year abroad was the main thing that differentiated
me from all of the competition. So overall I couldn't express
strongly enough how glad I am that I did a language at
college, and that I still use it now!
Jacob Tapper, 23, Preston

13. I first started doing languages because it was a great excuse to
get involved in some exciting school trips to places like Paris
and Santander! I also loved the fact I could speak and most of
my friends and family did not have a clue what I was saying! I
realised at college that it was a way to understand a whole
other culture because we studied film and books from France
and Spain (in my case). At University, doing languages allowed
me to travel and actually live in another country. I loved the fact
I could leave England and become engrossed in a whole new
culture! And, though I am biased, language students were by
far the friendliest and most welcoming bunch of people I
knew because we were all so open minded and loved to travel
to broaden our minds.
Jack Dobson, 23, Leeds

14. Believe it or not, I decided I wanted to learn Italian when I went
on holiday at the age of 8. I was fortunate enough to go to a
school that offered it and haven’t looked back since! Going to
Durham University to study languages (I took up Spanish as
well) gave me the opportunity to explore the world – I spent
an incredible eight months in the south of Italy, teaching, and
four months in Bolivia in South America, writing for a
magazine. It hasn’t stopped there though! I am now studying
for a Masters degree in translation at the University of Leeds
and next year I will likely be moving to Milan, Italy, for another
nine months to work as a translator there. Had I not studied
languages, none of this would have been possible – and I
wouldn’t change it for the world.
Kirsty Walter, 23, Horsham

15. Initially my degree was advertising and marketing and I just
took Spanish as a minor (because I'd done it at GCSE) then at
the end of first year I decided to switch to Spanish and
marketing initially because I thought having a language
would be really good in the business world and I would work
abroad. So then I had the best year ever abroad! And now I'm
living in Madrid working as a teaching assistant because I
loved Spain so much. I work for a private academy and as well
as teaching I've helped with a few marketing projects. Taking
Spanish completely changed my direction - I highly doubt if I
hadn't taken it I would have made the leap to move abroad.
The year abroad also helped my confidence massively and
some sort of business degree is great because you have the
option of going into teaching in England or in another country
as well as being able to work in businesses like me.
Kati Lou, 22, Holmes Chapel

16. Honestly, I did Spanish at GCSE because I was
told that it would really help in life. I enjoyed the
subject and I was good at it. I continued with
Spanish at college and did a degree in Psychology
with Spanish. During my degree I spent 6 months
in Mexico and 6 months in Bilbao, Spain where I
attended Universities. It was truly the most
amazing experience of my life and I graduated
with a First class degree. The best decision I have
ever made is listening to that teacher that told
me to do Spanish….and my mum!
I am now living in China teaching English and I
am loving life! Who knows what the future holds
for me but I know I have the opportunity and
skills to decide whatever journey that I want!
Antonella Tamburullo, 22, London

17. I decided to do languages at university because I knew it would
open up a lot of doors. You don't just learn the language but
you learn the culture too, and you meet all sorts of interesting
people you'd not get to meet otherwise. And why risk losing the
language you picked up at school? I graduated with a first, 5
months ago and I've just finished my third week as a
translations project manager for a translation company. It's a
hugely interesting role and it gives me an insight into the whole
industry, as well as getting to meet people who speak 4
languages or more! As a PM I'm using all the skills I got at
university, and I'm picking up new ones all the time in an
industry full of passionate and motivated people determined to
make the most of their languages in a fulfilling environment. I
haven't looked back!
Jack Young, 23,Newcastle