Language Learning in Partnership

The University of Bedfordshire’s Language and Culture for Business was successful as part of a consortium of regional universities, led by Anglia Ruskin University, to secure funding through Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), for the Routes into Languages (RiL) programme. This initiative consists of a three-year regional programme of activities and has been funded to increase the take-up of languages in the East of England.

Under the RiL consortium, the University’s Business School Division of Language and Communication is delivering the Language Learning in Partnership programme which brings together local businesses delegates and undergraduate students. The programme is now in its third and final year and has delivered Spanish and Mandarin, at both beginners and intermediate level.

Business delegates and students have benefited from each others’ learning styles and experiences by participating in the programme. Students have benefited from exposure to business culture and practices while business delegates have enjoyed the enthusiastic and creative experience of learning alongside undergraduates.

The key benefits of this programme included:

Subsidised training
Development and updating of key business language skills to take advantage of the opportunities provided by global trade
University certificate on successful completion of the programme for employees
Achievement of a double module (30 credits) for students
Students and businesses learning together in a dynamic environment
The ability to progress from beginners level to intermediate level