I am passionate about encouraging young people to learn a language. I believe school pupils need to be shown that there is a world of language outside their classroom walls. Language is not just about a text book, it is about culture and opening your mind to new experiences. I feel it is my responsibility as a linguist to tell children and young people what they can do with a language and the benefits it can bring, not only to their careers but their lives as well.
I also believe that those young people who speak a language at home should be proud of their language skills and shout about them, recognising the advantage it gives them.
To this end, I volunteer in the following capacity:
- Talks to my local primary and secondary schools
- Taking part in events through Inspiring the Future and Business Language Champions
- Encouraging other linguists to take part in such events
Recent events I have attended have been an entrepreneurs event for GCSE Business Studies pupils and a “speed-dating” style event for year 8 language pupils at the Long Eaton School. At this “speed-dating” event, over the course of two sessions, 200 pupils rotated around 5 different businesses (including me!) who were all promoting the use of languages in their work. The other participants included the RAF, East Midlands Airport and the Novotel hotel chain. It was a great event to be involved with.
I also wrote this blog post reflecting on an Inspiring the Future event at an inner-city primary school in Derby.
If you would like to me to visit a school near you, please contact me to discuss further.
Follow @ClaireStorey16