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29 Jun 2005 17:15:42
University of Luton to Deliver Essential Language Training to Companies for Free
London is on track with its bid for the 2012 Olympic Games, and the University of Luton is running alongside, to give the city the language skills to cope with the possible influx of visitors from all over the world.
The University’s award-winning language programme is all set to prepare agencies and other businesses across the city, which will be connected to the Olympic boom.
A successful London bid will need language skills and expertise for the translation of programmes, guides, visitor information, voice-overs and interpreters – as well as language and cultural training for the frontline Olympic roles – according to a recent report on London’s language skills.
The University of Luton has joined forces with five Specialist Language Schools*, the Specialist Schools Trust and the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) UK Trade & Investment to deliver such a language and cultural project across the capital.
The project, World-Class Skills for London, offers training for 150 people from small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) in languages, to meet their international trade needs. The courses are intensive and are run at times to suit small firms, including those in the service industry, which will be on the frontline during the Olympics.
The schools are urging these firms to enrol their employees on the business language training courses – which are free to eligible employees.
They can learn language for situations that are relevant to them - how to deal with a switchboard operator, business terminology and, of course, the conversational language that is important for the service sector.
Employees can attend at different sites around London, and they don’t have to stay in the borough where they work – they can train near their homes.
The opportunity to learn these skills is made available by the University’s World-Class Skills for London project (WCL), which is co-financed by the Learning & Skills Council and the European Social Fund.
The specialist language schools will deliver the free courses for businesses in five areas of London over the next two years. The participants will be working towards recognised qualifications equivalent to NVQ Level Two, and above.
Rita Mascia (photo) is the WCL Project Manager at the University of Luton’s Business Development Directorate, which runs the Language for Culture and Business (LCB) programme. Rita explained: “The courses, which are available to any SMEs based in London, are ideal for any organisation that needs its staff to communicate in a foreign language and to understand business culture, such as importers, exporters, companies offering international services, and especially companies connected with the Olympic bid.
“The training is essential for anyone involved in preparing for this great event. Languages on offer include French, Spanish, Italian, German and Mandarin Chinese. Good communication with visitors from abroad is essential to make your business stand out above the rest. Being able to speak to people in their own language, and knowing their culture, can only help to smooth the way.”
London’s language skills report** says that embracing Londoners’ language expertise “will contribute a lasting legacy for a diverse global capital”. Londoners, who are themselves from more than 90 countries, use over 300 languages.
The report says the Olympics presents an opportunity to tap into those language skills to improve communication for the benefit of visitors.
Athlete Paul Radcliffe adds to the report: “For me, sport and languages go hand in hand, both have the power to bring people together and open doors. I am keen to encourage Londoners to use and develop their foreign language skills – for themselves, for businesses and organisations, and for London as a great multi-lingual capital.”
The University of Luton’s language programme, developed over the past five years, has already proved to be a winner – it received the ‘Best Language Trainer’ award from the DTI in 2003. For more information on language courses and international skills at the University, or to book a place on the programme, please contact the enquiry team on 0845 60 33 322, email: london@lcb.org.uk or visit www.lcb.org.uk/london
For information on the WCL project, please contact Rita Mascia on 01582 743985 or email rita.mascia@luton.ac.uk.
Notes for Editors:
*The five Specialist Language Schools are: Cheam High School (Sutton), Haydon School (Hillingdon), Bexley Grammar School (Bexley), Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (Islington), Connaught School (Leytonstone).
**The London language skills report – a vision for London 2012, can be found at www.rln-london.com or email jane.collis@rln-london.com
Latest news» 2005» Jun» Learn a Language and Make London a Great Olympic Capital
