Institution: University College Birmingham

Context
University College Birmingham (formerly known as Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies).

A Centre of Vocational Excellence for Hair and Beauty and Catering, University College Birmingham places great importance on language learning, which is offered free to all students. Vocational Languages are offered across the curriculum as an integral part of a range of vocational courses including Leisure and Tourism, Hospitality Management, Business Enterprise and Catering. Work placements abroad are also organised using funding from the Leonardo da Vinci programme and language learning is an important part of the students’ preparation. Tutors ensure that language teaching is made relevant to the work the students will be doing on the overseas placement. Where possible, use is made of the RWE’s (Realistic Work Environments) at University College Birmingham, such as the hairdressing salons and the kitchens, to bring the experience alive to the learners.

How the programme is organised
The students have 2 hours of language training per week for one semester (approximately 13 weeks) prior to their departure. The students learn language specific to the vocational area but also learn about the culture of the country where the work placement will take place. The emphasis of the language learning is not only on the duties that the student will need to carry out during their placement but also on how to survive and interact on a day to day basis with people from another country with a different language and culture. 

Resources
All materials and activities are centred on the area where the students will be undertaking their placement. Tutors endeavour to boost confidence by speaking in the target language as much as possible. Tutors also make extensive use of technology such as digital language labs which are excellent for listening and speaking activities. Internet resources such as those contained on CILT’s Vocational Languages Resource Bank (VLRB) have proved invaluable for vocational language teaching. Search for vocational sector = 'hairdressing' or 'catering' to access these on the VLRB. Teaching methods include role- play, games and the use of online resources.

As well as covering vocationally relevant topics, such as 'booking appointments' for hair and beauty students, resources also cover topics such as, shopping, buying train/bus tickets, asking for directions and writing a CV in the foreign language, which in the case of the hair and beauty students is forwarded to the salon where the student will undertake their placement.

Examples of resources created for hair and beauty and catering students can be found on the VLRB:

Hair and beauty resources
Discussing treatments
Making hair appointments
Working in a salon

Catering resources
Apprentissage
Job interview in a restaurant
Working in a kitchen

Learning methods and materials are varied in order to appeal to a range of learning styles.

Results/effects
The implementation of the Leonardo programmes has meant that usually between 80-90 new language learners take up a language at the college each year, from curriculum areas where language learning would not usually be considered. These students slot in well with existing language programmes, which are taken up by around 800 further and higher education students each academic year, thus optimising use of the resources and facilities available at University College Birmingham.