Schools and businesses in the East Midlands had a busy end to 2009 with an enterprising and exciting Business Language Champions project.

Five lucky youngsters from Boston Grammar Schools Federation beat off strong competition in the European Challenge event to win an all-expenses paid trip to Lisbon, Portugal, where they will take part in the Young Enterprise Europe Trade Fair in March. 

The event, organised jointly by Young Enterprise and Business Language Champions, gave students hands on experience of setting up and running their own companies with the added challenge of adapting their strategy to trade with other countries.

Winning company, Elite Enterprise, impressed the judges with their range of Octo-Pets, made from recycled wool and each complete with their own birth certificate. All participating companies were thankful to have some of the region’s most established Business Language Champions on hand to mentor them through the tough decisions associated with international trade.

Elsewhere in the region, students will soon be singing to a different tune (or in a different language at least!) as BLC Project Manager Sally Fagan has organised Russian seminars at two Nottingham schools in April to coincide with the UK tour of the renowned professional Hermitage Ensemble from St Petersburg.

Students will be treated to their own concert and encouraged to learn a song in Russian, to inspire them to take an interest in other cultures and languages.  Business visitors will give the event extra scope and inform students about the many career opportunities languages bring. Watch this space for updates!

Pictured: Winners of YE European Challenge with Sally Fagan, BLC project manager (left) and Debbie Bestwick from Young Enterprise (right).