CILT launches its new agenda for languages
Monday, 14th September 2009
An integral part of the new agenda is the need for improved foreign language skills in order to help lift the UK out of the global recession.
Kathryn Board, Chief Executive of CILT (the National Centre for Languages) says:
“English is one of the great global languages of the 21st century but it will only take us so far. Our engagement with the non-English speaking world will remain superficial and one-sided unless we develop our capacity in other languages. In this precarious economic climate, we need to make Britain strong in the global economy.”
According to CILT, figures from the Cardiff business school show that improving language skills could add up to 21 billion pounds a year to the UK economy while export businesses that use language skills and the cultural knowledge that goes with them, achieve on average 45% more sales.
CILT recognise that there is a vicious circle of poor languages skills in the UK, which in turn leads to an unsatisfactory export performance. They want to see more employers valuing languages as a key business skill to ensure that Britain develops “strong, successful and tolerant citizens”.
They also call for commitment from all government departments – not just the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families)– in recognising the importance of languages to Britain’s future.
Tags: cilt, language, languages, tailor-made, italian, german, french, spanish, english
Posted by Laura Lippert 2009-09 under In the news,
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