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:
- Taking part in secondary school events organised Business Language Champions
- Talking to primary school children in Derby as part of the Our Future Derby initiative organised by Education and Employers, Learn by Design and the East Midlands Chamber
- Responding to requests from schools through the Inspiring the Future platform
- Presenting to pupils through the East Midlands Chamber Schools inititative
- Encouraging other people to take part in such events
as part of the East Midlands Chamber Schools inititative
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.
In October 2019, the Chartered Institute of Linguists published my article about raising aspirations and volunteering in schools. Read it online here.
If you would like to me to visit a school near you, please contact me to discuss further.
Follow @ClaireStorey16