Fresh, Flashy and Fun - interactive online resources to inspire language learners from the National Network for Interpreting

Context
The National Network for Interpreting (NNI) is part of the wider Routes into Languages initiative. Through its ten regional consortia and two national networks (Interpreting and Translation) the programme aims to promote language study from Key Stage 4 onwards and to encourage young people to value language skills and appreciate how important these are to our economy and our future.The two networks also have a more specific aim: to address the current shortage of English mother tongue interpreters and translators.

The NNI is led by the University of Leeds and works in partnership with the universities of Bath, Salford and Westminster. Our partnership has worked alongside schools and colleges, other universities, CILT and the LLAS and both national and international employers such as the NHS, several UK police forces, the EU and the UN.

Objectives
We have organised everything from small careers talks and taster sessions to large scale events for hundreds of students. Altogether our activities have allowed us to reach over 10,000 people, ranging from Year 8s wondering whether a language GCSE is for them to professionals looking to add to their skills. 

However, running events is only one part of what we do. The main legacy we expect to leave behind when our project ends in March next year, is the media-rich and interactive National Network for Interpreting website.

How it is organised
The website provides a wealth of bite-size and engaging online resources aimed at inspiring language learners.These have been proven to appeal to and inform our target audiences and enhance language teaching in the classroom.

Our award-winning online resources take the interaction with our target audience one step further by providing free access to a wide range of relevant and contextualised interviews with professional language service providers and users. In addition, visitors to our website can engage with numerous interactive resources, games, quizzes and tasks featuring a variety of languages.

Results/effect
Our experience over the last three years has shown that interpreting can be a very effective tool in motivating and inspiring young students to look at languages in a different light. It may be a high level skill but it can also be broken down very effectively. It is exciting, interesting and fun; the perfect example of a career with languages. Interpreting has also proven to be an excellent starting point for working on numerous highly transferable skills: public speaking, analytical skills, teamwork, professionalism, ethical behaviour and general knowledge to mention but a few. As a result, interpreting is relevant to our varied audiences as these skills link in with their studies at all levels.

Using this model
Feedback from our users has been overwhelmingly positive; our interactive resources have recently been commended at international level for effective use of video for learning and teaching purposes and for outstanding instructional design.

So why not visit us now and discover these fresh, flashy and fun materials for yourself?