Reason: 13
Language graduates have normally spent a year abroad. They may have done a work placement, or worked as language assistants. They can emphasise the ability to act independently, adapt and work in a novel environment, all of which are strong points to make. The ability to communicate effectively, teamwork, organisational ability and logical reasoning could be other key elements to stress. The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services suggests that employers want people who can communicate effectively, work independently and in teams and apply a logical and analytical approach to solving problems
Reference:
Connell, T. (2002) Languages and Employability: A Question of Careers (www.cilt.org.uk/careers/pdf/reports/employability.pdf)
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Autonomy, Communication, HE (Higher Education sector), Key skills, Problem solving, Residence abroad, Teamwork, Work experience
Reason: 74
Interpersonal skills programmes for language undergraduates enable students to assume greater responsibility and initiative in the learning process; enable students to learn to solve problems, define goals, manage their own work, become more committed and more self-confident, to work to deadlines, take initiative and work collectively with others; to give oral presentations, produce reports, use IT, acquire and process information
Reference:
Towell, R. (2000) ‘Introducing interpersonal skills within a specialist language degree programme’ in King, A. (ed) Languages and the Transfer of Skills (London: CILT), pp. 111-118
Related Keywords:
Autonomy, HE (Higher Education sector), IT skills (Information Technology), Key skills, Language learning skills, Personal and social development, Problem solving, Teamwork
Reason: 208
Certain institution-wide language programmes emphasise the development of the skills of analysis and evaluation, team-working and relationship building, innovation and flexibility, planning and organising, problem-solving and decision-making
Reference:
Gentle, P. (2000) 'Gateways to global learning: the transferability of Institution Wide Language Programmes in higher education' in King, A. (Ed) Languages and the Transfer of Skills (London: CILT), pp. 36-44
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, HE (Higher Education sector), Institution-Wide Language Programmes (IWLPs), Key skills, Networking, Problem solving, Teamwork
Reason: 209
The ability to formulate and resolve problems, to analyse critically, to plan one's own development and to negotiate processes of learning are all further potential outcomes for linguists on institution-wide language programmes
Reference:
Gentle, P. (2000) 'Gateways to global learning: the transferability of Institution Wide Language Programmes in higher education' in King, A. (ed) Languages and the Transfer of Skills (London: CILT), pp. 36-44
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Critical thinking, HE (Higher Education sector), Institution-Wide Language Programmes (IWLPs), Key skills, Personal and social development, Problem solving
Reason: 328
Vocationally-oriented language learning fosters key skills, such as communication, ICT, problem-solving and working with others. This overlays the value of language learning for developing an awareness of other countries and cultures and developing skills in cross-cultural communication
Reference:
Sewell, C. (2004) 'Keynote discussion' in Sewell, C. (ed) Language Learning for Work in a Multilingual World (London: CILT, the National Centre for Languages), pp. 3-12
Related Keywords:
Communication, Intercultural competence, IT skills (Information Technology), Key skills, Language for specific purposes, Language learning skills, Problem solving, Teamwork
Reason: 375
The study of modern foreign languages also has an important contribution to make to cross-curricular skills and competences. These skills include for example social, through communication and cooperation; personal, by developing creativity and imagination; study, through observation, research and planning using a variety of media; and vocational, through communicative competence, independence, problem-solving and decision-making
Reference:
The Department of Education and Science; Welsh Office (1990) Modern Foreign Languages for Ages 11 to 16 (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Autonomy, Communication, Creativity, Key skills, Multidisciplinarity, Personal and social development, Problem solving, Secondary sector, Teamwork, Technology
Reason: 410
As students progress through their education at school, a modern language will be of benefit to their personal and educational development in a variety of ways. It will allow them to establish contact with people of their own age who speak other languages and to access information from other cultures. It will help them thereby to understand that experience of the world through another language can be just as 'real' and 'valid' as experience of the world through English. It will offer them the positive experience of developing an entirely new mode of understanding and expression and an opportunity to acquire an explicit understanding of what the components of language are and how these may be manipulated for different purposes. It will allow them to derive cognitive benefits through problem-solving, memorisation, recall, making connections, attending to detail and pragmatic strategies. All of these are basic transferable skills that can be activated or enhanced through a modern language. Learning a modern language will help students to develop strategies for learning and using language that will assist them not only with their current modern language but with others also that they may subsequently learn. It will encourage them to appreciate and participate in cultural and linguistic diversity
Reference:
Scottish Executive, Ministerial Action Group on Languages (2000) Citizens of a Multilingual World: Key Issues (www.scotland.gov.uk-library3-education-mwki-07.asp)
Related Keywords:
Culture, Diversity, Intercultural competence, Key skills, Language awareness, Learning strategies, Networking, Personal and social development, Problem solving, Secondary sector, Understanding
Reason: 428
The multidisciplinary and language-specific nature of programmes in languages and related studies encourages the development of a wide range of key transferable skills including, predominantly practical skills: the ability to use and present material in the target language and one's own language in written and oral forms in a clear and effective manner; the ability to work autonomously, manifested in self-direction, self-discipline, and time management; accurate and effective note-taking and summarising skills; library and bibliographic research skills; techniques for using target language source materials; analytical and problem-solving skills; the ability to write and think under pressure and meet deadlines; IT skills, such as word processing, email, databases, online environments and the use of the internet as a research and study tool
Reference:
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2002) Languages and Related Studies: Subject Benchmark Statements (Gloucester: QAA)
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Autonomy, HE (Higher Education sector), IT skills (Information Technology), Key skills, Language learning skills, Practical skills, Problem solving, Related subjects, Technology
Reason: 504
Modern Foreign Languages provides opportunities for pupils to develop the key skill of: Problem solving, through developing their ability to apply and adapt their knowledge of the target language for specific communication purposes
Reference:
DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Key skills, Problem solving, Secondary sector
Reason: 636
The situations that language undergraduates have encountered in their studies train their minds to always be on the look-out for solutions or other ways of expressing things
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
Communication, HE (Higher Education sector), Problem solving
Reason: 674
Students are required {during the year abroad as part of a languages degree programme} to develop extensive problem-solving skills and to draw on personal resources. In surviving this process, students tend to develop enhanced confidence in their ability to survive difficulties and to be more willing to take risks
Reference:
Johnston, B., Myles, F., Mitchell, R., Ford, P. (2004) The Year Abroad: A Critical Moment. (Paper presented at Navigating the New Landscape for Languages, LLAS and CILT Conference, SOAS, University of London, 30 June - 1 July, 2004)
Related Keywords:
HE (Higher Education sector), Key skills, Personal and social development, Problem solving, Residence abroad
Reason: 684
Learning another language develops your problem solving skills
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
Key skills, Problem solving

700 Reasons to study languages...