Importance of Languages NEWS FLASH

The recent media coverage of the Chilean miners rescue has highlighted the importance of languages in the global community. You only had to witness Tim Wilcox, prized journalist for the BBC, switching effortlessly into Spanish in order to interview the family of a miner and then translating the conversation back into English again for the viewers at home, to understand how much of an asset his knowledge of Spanish was to the BBC at this crucial time and indeed, for making him, usually the studio anchorman, the ideal man for the job abroad.

"And the other secret weapon the BBC had was its remarkable on-site anchor, Tim Wilcox. He is normally an anchor on the domestic BBC News channel but he was sent to Chile three weeks ago and he showed a remarkable change in persona anchoring on-site rather than from the studio. It was obvious how well he knew his story, that he knew and had spoken to all those involved – officials, family, and the like, his Spanish was impeccable in being able to interview family members and officials live and give instant translation – he was just so natural." (http://followthemedia.com/writeon/bbcchile14102010.htm)

His Twitter feed also shows the benefits of his language knowledge, as well as the power of Web 2.0 technologies:

Just spoke to the father of the first miner expected up, Florencio Avalos. Father Alfonso says he is excited but anxious.
1,286,908,596,000.00 via web

Interpreters were also important in the international communication process of the rescue attempt:

The voice of an interpreter on hand to translate the words of the miners and rescuers for the English-speaking audience watching at home, could sometimes be heard directing the miners to get out of the way of the camera set up to beam images across the planet.
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=177177

Interpreters were also used to communicate Presidential speeches abroad, and Chile's President, Sebastian Pinera, even showed up or own PM by speaking to him in fluent English.

All in all languages were at the heart of international affairs. So if you want to get ahead in the world - learn languages!

European Week of Languages Videoconference

On the 28th September 2010 we (a year 8 French class) conducted a videoconference with our partner school in France: Lycée André Maurois in Elbeuf, near Paris. We focused on the topic of careers - the chosen topic for European Week of Languages. This was not the first videoconference we have done jointly with our French partner school, and so this time the official language was English. The French side asked us questions about our future career choices and whether that would need languages or not. Our answers formed a listening exericise that they completed the other side.

Here are some of the pupil reviews...

Lara: On the 28th of September 2010 we had a video conference to France. We prepared answers to the questions they asked us. We answer these three questions in English we took it in turns to answer. I enjoyed getting the chance to see how alike our two schools are. All in all it was a great opportunity.

Holly: …I feel a bit more confident about speaking out loud to other people now. …It was cool to see what schools are like in different countries. … I gained a lot out of the video conference and I would love to do it again some other time!

Anna: … I found out what it was like to talk to somebody French, and it was interesting to hear how they spoke English. It was the first time I had seen a video conference with France.

Frederica: It was good practice to speak to them in English and speak loudly and clearly because this skill will probably be used in your job when you are older.

Emilia: The video conference was a lot of fun and a great experience to see how they learn languages in other countries like France. I would most definitely like to do another conference with the school in Elbeuf again as it was a very amusing and unique experience.

Freya: I found the video conference really interesting because we got to hear real French people speak to us and hear their accents! It was also a really good opportunity because we could answer questions and the class felt involved in the link between the schools. I really enjoyed it because I have never spoken or heard a French student before and also I found it was a really fun activity in class and a good way to learn.

Eleanor: …it was very interesting to hear how the French speak our language. I have learnt to speak clearly when speaking to people and I have also learnt that it is important to have your answers prepared … Also, that you should not speak into your book and that you should speak directly into the camera.

Olivia: The video conference was a great opportunity for us to practise public speaking…

Sophie: … I have now learnt how to speak clearly and slowly so people can understand you and also how to keep eye contact with that person through the web cam.

Grace: I would definitely like to do this again because it was really fun and is a good way of learning French pronunciation.

Ella: I think the video conference, was a very fun and educational experience. It gave us the opportunity to practice speaking to real French people, and it taught us how to speak at a steady pace and confidently.

Zara: I really liked taking part in the video conference as I enjoyed listening and speaking to French people... I also liked the fact you can have a link with a school so far away.

Molly: Even though it was in English it gave us a chance to see what other schools in different countries are like and their similarities and differences. Over all it was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it… I would love to do it again.

Abigail 2: I think that the video conference was a brilliant experience; it gave us a chance to speak to some French people inside school as well as getting to use some new technology.

Katya: I think the video conference was educational and…it is better if you look directly at the camera and watching it back I can see this is the mistake that most people made.

Jessica: I enjoyed the video conference a lot because it was a good experience talking to different students from another country.