Motivational language careers event proves a huge success for Oldham students

Schools in Oldham and Tameside attended a motivational careers event, with the aim of increasing the number of students who elect to take a GCSE in languages.

The event, hosted by Cranmer Education Trust, saw their Language Hub Partner Schools (Audenshaw School, Droylsden Academy, Fairfield High School for Girls, The Hathershaw College, North Chadderton School, The Radclyffe School, Saddleworth School, St Anne’s C of E Academy, The Brian Clarke Academy, and The Blue Coat C of E School) welcomed to The Brian Clarke Academy for their first-ever languages career event.

A total of 244 Year 9 and 11 students heard from David Binns, Director of UK Operations at SANAKO.

David discussed the importance of a second language skill in relation to careers, especially at initial interview stage.

Following the talk, David welcomed questions from the students about languages within different career paths, as well as his own experience of languages throughout his career.

Over 90% of students said the talk helped them to think more about their future career options with languages.

Arion Quaynor, Curriculum Leader of MFL at Saddleworth School had nothing but praise for the event, saying: “David Binns was an excellent guest speaker, and the students came away with such positive reflections on the experience.

“Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – they were really motivated by the talk and workshops and gained a fresh perspective on the importance of languages.

"I’ll also add that these were 26 students I identified as being reluctant linguists.”

Mr Binns said: “I must comment on the attitude and behaviour of all of the students from all of the attending schools, it was exemplary, a credit to each of their schools.

“During my talk, the students were very engaged with what I had to say about the benefits of a language skill in their future career.

"The Q&A session at the end was fantastic, some brilliant (and some cheeky) questions from the students, but all expressed an interest to know more, but it was a great day.

"Students benefited from various businesses in the small exhibition area which they really enjoyed.

“So, to sum up, what a fantastic MFL event, huge congratulations to the organisers.”

Following David’s talk, the students got the chance to speak to real-world professionals from a range of sectors thanks to a languages-focussed careers fayre.

The fayre featured 12 different stalls covering a range of sectors. The University of Manchester, The University of Leeds, and a former Blue Coat School student, Charlotte Whitehead, provided pupils with a chance to learn more about the opportunities available within Higher Education.

Other local businesses and organisations including Hydrogen Safe, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Fletchers Solicitors, NOV Manchester and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust gave students the opportunity to learn more about the impact languages can have within careers.

Manchester Nexus SCITT allowed students to discover how they can use languages to get into teaching, and the British Council’s Language Assistant Programme was on hand to talk to students about the exciting opportunities to teach abroad.

Parbeen Alamgir, Associate at Fletchers Solicitors, said: “Being raised in Oldham myself, I was delighted to be invited along to this event to discuss the world of possibilities when having a second or third language.

“I am a senior solicitor, specialising in birth injury clinical negligence claims for Fletchers Solicitors.

"As well as advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence claims, and whilst my work is based in the UK, I often translate and interpret for new and potential clients.

"This is a crucial service as it ensures we can help even more clients who, otherwise, may have been turned away due to language barriers.

"As a birth injury specialist solicitor, often we have families seek legal assistance at their most vulnerable moments and some are even more vulnerable when English isn’t their first language.

"Providing access to justice for all means exactly that – it is all encompassing and inclusive.

“Being bilingual allows me to connect more deeply with people and I’m privileged to be able to use languages each and every day in my profession.

“I was honoured to be able to share my own experiences with languages to the students, and to give back to my local community.

"Knowing more than one language truly is a gift – and I hope that the students went away a little more inspired on the careers paths available to them.”

Representatives from GCHQ and The British Army were also at the careers fayre, with a number of students highlighting how impactful it was to hear the influence that a language skill can have within these organisations.

For many students, this was the first careers fayre they had attended, and valued the chance to speak directly with working professionals.

They appreciated the opportunity to learn how language skills relate to diverse roles and discovering a broad range of industries.

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