European Day of Languages logo

 

EDL at work

Whatever your job, why not organise something to get tongues wagging at work? 75% of adults in the UK think it's good to speak another language;many of your colleagues/staff want to learn another language but have never got round to it. The European Day of Languages is a great time for setting language goals. These are some ideas of how to celebrate on the day, you can also download the CILT activity sheet.

  • Plan an Italian coffee morning or German breakfast
  • Launch an audit of in-house language skills
  • Enjoy lunchtime salsa in Spanish
  • Say hello to the receptionist/building manager in different languages
  • Encourage colleagues to set themselves language challenges
  • Invite an expert to run a language and culture workshop
  • Plan a French film festival
  • Organise a European quiz with tapas
  • Answer the phone in different languages
  • Get staff to share their language skills with colleagues
  • Have a staff meal in Greek
  • Send an e-mail greeting to your customers in their own language
  • Investigate opportunities for international work placements
  • Organise an away day focusing on multicultural issues
  • Localise your website
  • Learn key words and phrases in British Sign Language

We know that one in five British companies is losing business because of language barriers and that those which do not trade internationally also lose out because they don't draw on the language skills hidden in their workforce.In a recent survey it was proved that export sales increased by 44.5% for companies with a languages strategy.