The success of the Making Languages our Business project has relied on the collaboration between three sectors: secondary schools, universities and local businesses. They have held a series of fun one-day events designed to emphasise the importance of languages in the world of business.

The events are hands on and informative with students taking part in business simulations and discussions. At a recent event at Exeter University students took part in five different role plays using German, French and Spanish. These varied activities ranged from dressing as doctors and pretending to deal with a foreign patient to recording tape texts for foreign visitors at a Paignton Zoo. Students attending the events welcomed the creative format of the day and loved the opportunity to share their enjoyment of languages’ with other good linguists.

Students selected to attend the events then go back to their own schools and share what they learnt with other students through displays, videos and presentations about languages. This project has already led to a rise in the take up of languages at KS4 and KS5 and they are currently seeing the largest numbers ever choosing to do a language at A level.

Language(s): Spanish, French, German and Chinese

Torquay Boys Grammar School has been a language college since 1996; it has just over 1,000 students years 7-13. They have work closely with Davenport High School for Girls on this project as well as all the other secondary schools in the Torbay local authority. This project was partly funded by the CILT Regional Language Network.