The Business Language Champions programme inspires
and supports employers and employees to work with schools through
languages. The programme aims to encourage young people to
understand the benefits of learning languages and the exciting and
rewarding careers available to them with languages.
Sponsored by the Department for Education, the
programme engages employers of all sizes
and sectors. These employers recognise the importance of
language and intercultural skills for business success and are
helping young people to develop these vital skills to compete
successfully in a competitive global economy.
The programme focuses on 11-16 year olds to
inspire students to continue to study languages. Between June 2009
and March 2011 the programme engaged 406 schools and 453
businesses across 568 activities and involved over 22,000
students. Survey findings have shown a 4% increase in uptake at
GCSE among participating schools.
CILT worked in partnership with national and
regional experts in the education and business worlds to achieve
these objectives to the highest standard.
National partners
Regional partners
The programme is also supported by other
important stakeholders, including GoSkills, the
Spanish Embassy, the
French Embassy, the Goethe-Institut and UK Trade & Investment
regional offices.