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: 73
An environmental language programme encourages the development of self-management skills both when students are working independently and as part of a team. It also develops cognitive skills and encourages learners to engage in a critical dialogue with themselves, the materials and their peers
Reference:
Honeybone, A., Brossier, V. (2000) ‘The University of Hertfordshire environmental French programme’ in King, A. (ed) Languages and the Transfer of Skills (London: CILT), pp. 102-109
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Autonomy, Communication, Critical thinking, HE (Higher Education sector), Language for specific purposes, Teamwork
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: 136
The pedagogy associated with language learning provides a further contribution of languages to citizenship. Communicative methodology is itself democratic. Skills developed in language classes are thus directly transferable to citizenship education, i.e. discussing in pairs, expressing opinion, working with others, taking part in public discourse
Reference:
Starkey, H., Osler, A. (2003) ‘Language teaching for cosmopolitan citizenship’ in Brown, K., Brown, M. (eds) Reflections on Citizenship in a Multilingual World (London: CILT), pp. 25-35
Related Keywords:
Citizenship, Communication, Democracy, Key skills, Teaching, Teamwork
Reason: 162
Graduates in modern languages are sought after by employers not merely for their linguistic skills, but for the intellectual training which their course has provided. Linguists are trained to think structurally, they write essays which give them good practice in thinking clearly and in presenting focused arguments. Many language courses involve working cooperatively in groups and making formal presentations to an audience.. just the sort of teamwork and presentational skills which employers tell us they are looking for
Reference:
King, A., Thomas, G. (1999) The Guide to Languages and Careers (London: CILT)
Related Keywords:
Academic skills, Critical thinking, Employability, HE (Higher Education sector), Key skills, Language learning skills, 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: 213
Institution-wide language programmes can incorporate a number of subject-specific and personal transferable skills. These are the ability to communicate effectively, organise, gather information, use I.T., act independently, work in teams
Reference:
Ingrams, P. (2000) 'The Wolverhampton languages programme' in King, A. (ed) Languages and the Transfer of Skills (London: CILT), pp. 52-61
Related Keywords:
Autonomy, Communication, HE (Higher Education sector), Institution-Wide Language Programmes (IWLPs), IT skills (Information Technology), Key skills, Language learning skills, Teamwork
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: 356
Modern Foreign Languages provides opportunities to promote: Social development, through exploring different social conventions, such as forms of address, through developing pupils’ ability to communicate with others, particularly speakers of foreign languages, in an appropriate, sympathetic and tolerant manner, and through fostering the spirit of cooperation when using a foreign language to communicate with other people, whether other learners or native speakers
Reference:
DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Personal and social development, Secondary sector, Teamwork, Values
Reason: 370
The use of a foreign language to communicate with other people, whether fellow-learners or native speakers, fosters the spirit of co-operation and provides practical proof of the value of learning a foreign language. This lays the basis for understanding the potential of linguistic competence in adult work and leisure: it helps learners to appreciate that they are citizens not only of the United Kingdom but also of Europe and the rest of the world. It encourages them to enter into and respect the attitudes and customs not only of other countries but also of the different communities making up their own society. With developing linguistic competence comes an enhanced awareness and heightened awareness of another culture, which enables pupils to gain access to and participate in that culture
Reference:
The Department of Education and Science; Welsh Office (1990) Modern Foreign Languages for Ages 11 to 16 (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Citizenship, Communication, Culture, Intercultural competence, Secondary sector, Teamwork, Understanding, Values
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: 382
Language courses prepare you for the type of situations you will meet at work. The sort of things you learn to do on a language course these days are transferable skills which you’ll find invaluable later when you get your first job. Using language to persuade, argue or explain, preparing presentations, reformulating text in different forms for different audiences, just putting ideas across clearly - all these are vital later on in the workplace, whatever language you’re operating in. Language courses may give you experience of working in international teams and a whole range of ICT applications too
Reference:
CILT, the National Centre for Languages, Frequently Asked Questions, (http:\www.cilt.org.uk\faqs\why.htm)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Employability, IT skills (Information Technology), Key skills, Language learning skills, Teamwork
Reason: 429
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, interpersonal skills and personal attributes: communication, presentation, interaction; the ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team; mediating skills, qualities of empathy; self-reliance, initiative, adaptability and flexibility; intercultural competence
Reference:
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (2002) Languages and Related Studies: Subject Benchmark Statements (Gloucester: QAA)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Creativity, Employability, HE (Higher Education sector), Intercultural competence, Key skills, Language learning skills, Personal and social development, Related subjects, Teamwork, Values
Reason: 483
Modern Foreign Languages provides opportunities for pupils to develop the key skill of:.. Working with others, through developing their ability to participate in group conversations and discussions
Reference:
DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Key skills, Secondary sector, Teamwork
Reason: 665
Language learning develops teamworking skills
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
Key skills, Teamwork

700 Reasons to study languages...