An important element of CILT’s work is to share and promote the benefits of language skills with a wide range of audiences. Here are just some of those benefits:

• Practical communication with speakers of other languages
• Intercultural understanding at home and abroad
• Enabling us to contribute to global issues
• Expanding trade, winning sales
• Educational and cultural enrichment
• Educational achievement and opportunity
• Improving customer service and the tourist experience of Britain
• Enabling individuals to compete in the international jobs market
• Access to information and research
• Use in public services, defence and security
• Contribution to heritage and human rights

Visit the main Valuing languages pages on the CILT website for full details. The information on making the case and the value of languages within each sector may also be of interest. Highlighted below are a selection of initiatives and resources with particular relevance to community languages.

Making the case: to learners

Whether a learner is thinking about GCSE or A level options, wondering which college or university course to take, or trying to work out what career to go for using languages, CILT’s Languages Work suite of materials can help. There are also resources, activities, case studies and information to support careers advisers, teachers and parents in providing guidance on the use of languages at work and for leisure. Content is tailored for young learners through to adults.

The Use it or lose it leaflet highlights to community language speakers the potential benefits of nurturing and developing language skills, supported by the four Hidden Talent posters which further illustrate the value of these hidden assets. The Our Languages website also offers a video of community language speakers at The Latymer School answering the question How will languages help you in your future career? 

The Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies offers a database of 700 reasons for studying languages, including references to community languages, of particular appeal for those considering college and university course options. The Subject Centre also provides the Why Study Languages? website.

The Routes into Languages initiative offers interactive resources and guidance to those considering a career in interpreting via the National Network for Interpreting; the demand for community language speakers in public service interpreting in particular is high. The National Network for Translation also offers study and careers guidance.

Making the case: to education leaders

A key document for headteachers, school governors and local and national policymakers is Positively plurilingual (pdf, 2mb), which highlights the contribution of community languages to UK education and society. Using research evidence and examples of practice from around the UK, the document focuses on community language skills as a linguistic, educational, intellectual, cultural, family and personal and economic resource. The Promoting community languages case studies on the Our Languages website also offer compelling examples and evidence of interest to education leaders.

Making the case: to employers

A clear Business case for language skills is made to employers in the Workplace area of the CILT website, supported by statistics and, for example, mention of the rapidly developing economies of Brazil, Russia, China and India. The Qualification Strategy for Languages, Intercultural Skills, Translation and Interpreting is a major step forward in developing a system of qualifications and training provision that is highly relevant for the needs of employers and learners in the UK across a wide range of languages.

Making the case: to the wider public

The CILT Press Office issues press releases on key languages issues and developments at CILT, including those related to community languages, to encourage regular and well-informed coverage in the press. The CILT News Service also collates and disseminates languages in the news stories. The Our Languages website offers a starting point for Information for parents of community language speakers.