I’ve been inspired to learn languages as I want to do more than one job and have different jobs where you need to speak different languages.
Year Five pupil attending event run by Our Future Derby

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 regularly volunteer with the following organisations:




as part of the East Midlands Chamber Schools inititative

In October 2019, the Chartered Institute of Linguists published my article about raising aspirations and volunteering in schools. Read it online here.