February 2005

The Business of Language is a guide to language and cultural issues.

BLIS Jobs

Twelve new vacancies have already been added to BLIS Jobs, the job site for people with languages so far this month. The current selection of vacancies includes:-

• Russian speaking (Polish/Czech desirable) Territory Sales Manager, up to £35k +bonus;
• Bi-lingual Customer Support Representatives speaking French/German/Italian up to £16k;
• Japanese Customer Service role, salary negotiable approx.£17k;
  

For further details of these positions and many more, please visit http://www.rln-northeast.com/blis/index.htm. If you are an employer, you can find out how to register your vacancies and search for candidates who have skills in the language you require by contacting us directly or through the website. The BLIS Services suite http://www.blis.org.uk will soon be launching a new look website with improved facilities.

Regional Language Network North East Events

Are you a business:

• Involved in international trade?
• Thinking about language coaching, translation or cultural awareness training?
• On the verge of re-branding, going to a trade fair, hiring new export staff?

The Regional Language Network North-East invites you to a business breakfast for a taster of some of the following topics:

Branding Abroad
Regional Language Network NE - Introduction
Ed Meikle, Dickinson Dees - EC trademark systems and branding issues
Eric Donjon Entek International - Promoting your company abroad - tips for export success

The Ridley Suite, Holiday Inn, Cramlington 23rd of February 2005, 8 for 8:30am
or
The Finchale Lounge, Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-Street 2nd of March 2005, 8 for 8:30am

The Language of Success
Regional Language Network NE - Introduction
The Eldon Bureau - Recruiting staff with language skills
Manuela Wendler, Lexica Communications - Workshop on maximising your attendance at overseas trade fairs and exhibitions

Barn @ the Biscuit, Newcastle 9th March 2005, 8 for 8.30am
or
The Middlehaven Suite, Middlesbrough Football Club, Riverside Stadium 10th March 2005, 8 for 8.30am

If you would like to attend any of the events please see our News and Information page for further details

Web Launch

The new RLN NE website is almost ready to be unveiled. It will have a fresh new look with the latest information and new features to help anyone interested in languages find out more. The new site will have the following sections:

• Employers - Helping you to succeed at home and abroad;
• Education - Supporting you and your language programmes;
• Private Providers- Supporting you and your language and cultural services;
• Partners - Working with us to support language and cultural skills;
• Individuals - Advising you on your language courses, job opportunities and careers.

We will welcome your feedback once the new site is up and running with our new look! The BLIS Services website will also be relaunched and the new site will enable people to search more easily for language service providers and contact multiple suppliers with just one simple e-mail! BLIS Jobs will also be more user-friendly and the application process has also been made simpler. Keep checking our website for details of the launch.

Languages Work - North East Launch

The launch of Languages Work in the North East took place on Friday 14th January. It was attended by delegates from schools, higher education Institutions. Languages Work provides inspiration and advice about languages and careers to learners of all ages. Further information can be found on the Languages Work website http://www.languageswork.org.uk/home.htm.

North East teenagers try to create Utopia

Forty young people from five nations are to live together Big Brother-style try to create the idyll where everyone respects each other's language, culture, race, gender and ability. The 17-year-olds from County Durham youth organisations and partner areas in Slovakia, Hungary, Germany and Italy will live in 'the House' at Ushaw College, Durham. Each day the young people will be able to use the 'diary room' to comment on how the experience is changing and challenging perceptions and actions. The teenagers will also conduct their own street interviews in Durham City to find out what the local community feels about responsible citizenship and embracing diversity. Brian Stobie, the County Council's international relations officer, said: "The project has been developed around the theme of citizenship and the young people will work with a number of agencies to develop their understanding of collective responsibility, social justice and interdependence. Everyone coming to 'the House' will have ideas about what young people from other countries are like and the project will help them consider their initial perceptions. But the week is also about having fun, so along with discussing serious issues, there will be time for karaoke, food tasting, sport, watching movies, discos and generally chilling out." (Featured in Bdaily)

EU European Award for Languages 2005

£2,000 available to outstanding language projects. The annual search for the most inspirational language-learning projects begins this month as schools, colleges, business and other institutions across the UK have the chance to gain European recognition for their language achievements. Prizes include resources and materials from a range of sponsors as well as two awards of £1,000. The European Awards for Languages incorporate the Mary Glasgow Award and special awards for projects involving the following; business language training, community languages, and a TTA Initial Teacher Trainee Prize.

The MKW Group based in Ryton were the winners of the Business Language Award in 2004. MKW were featured in a previous edition of The Business of Language - if you need some inspiration the details of their success story can be found on our Case Studies page in the Best Practice section of our website.

For further details about the awards and how to apply see our website News and Information page.

700 reasons for studying languages

The Higher Education Subject Centre for LLAS (Languages Linguistics and Area Studies) has collated a searchable collection of 700 reasons for studying languages. This new research carried out by the LLAS will be particularly useful for marketing languages and should also help educators to design courses. Here are a few examples from the report:

Autonomy - If you do a language degree, your year abroad will show you have many good qualities such as independence etc

Diversity - Language and cultural diversity maximises chances of human success and adaptability

Health - Learning and using a second language helps to protect the brain from the effects of ageing

The rest of the 700 reasons are freely available in an on-line searchable database and as a report. Order your free copy of the report at: www.llas.ac.uk/700reasons.

The John Speak Trust Language Scholarships

The Trust, established in 1924, was created to help students improve their language skills and to support export trade. Thanks to the trust, successful students have travelled the world to study or work and to learn the language and culture of our trading partners.

• Do you have a basic knowledge of a foreign language (Minimum GCSE / A level)?
• Do you want to work in export trade or a related industry?
• Would you like to spend time abroad, studying the language, learning the customs and gaining valuable experience to help you with your career?
• Would you be happy to keep in contact during your time abroad by sending a monthly report (written in your chosen language) detailing your activities and achievements?

Applicants must be over 18 with a basic knowledge of the language to be studied (at least GCSE or equivalent). Students must study at a recognised college or university or obtain suitable employment while abroad and find accommodation within the local community rather than with other English speakers. A monthly report of at least 350 words needs to be submitted to Bradford Chamber of Commerce. Recent scholarships have gone to students based in Argentina, Spain, Italy, China, Japan and France, with an average award of £1,870 each.

To find out more visit http://www.bradfordchamber.co.uk/about/trust.htm or contact Julie Astley at:
Bradford Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Devere House
Vicar Lane
Bradford BD1 5AH
Telephone: 01274 772 777 extension: 222
Fax: 01274 224549
E-Mail john.speak@bradfordchamber.co.uk

COMPETITION

Congratulations to our winners from November's edition Bob Malone, Emmanuelle Martinot and Irma Gorton. This time the prizes up for grabs are:

• A Language Learning Pack to the value of £50; language and level of your choice;

• Two tickets to the Sage music centre, Gateshead;

• A meal for two at El Torero, Newcastle.

To enter, simply answer the following questions:

1) Why is studying a foreign language beneficial to your health, according to the Subject Centre?

2) Which prize did the MKW group win in the European Awards for Languages 2004?

3) Why was the John Speak Trust created?

E-mail your answers to rln-northeast@onenortheast.co.uk by 5pm on Thursday 3rd March, enclosing the name and e-mail address of a colleague who will receive future editions of The Business of Language.

The first three correct answers pulled out of the hat will be the winners of these fabulous prizes!!!

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