Languages after year 9
Learning a modern foreign language can bring all sorts of opportunities your way.
At school, you will most probably be able to take French, Spanish or German to
GCSE level. If you are good at languages, you may be encouraged to take two.
The information below refers to the current GCSE specifications. The Government
is consulting on changes to GCSEs in England. If these proposals go ahead, there
are likely to be changes to assessment methods, amongst other things. Speak to
your teachers for more information about the GCSE courses available at your
school.
In years 10 & 11
Most schools offer GCSEs in French, Spanish and/or German. Some schools may
offer more unusual languages, like Russian or Italian – or community languages,
such as Urdu. GCSE (short courses) are available in a number of languages and
focus on either the spoken or the written language. A few schools offer ancient
languages such as classical Greek or Latin; these give a fascinating insight into the
roots of modern European languages.
It's up to your school whether a modern foreign language is compulsory after year
9, but you are entitled to study at least one if you want to. In Wales, students
are required to continue to learn Welsh.
Any GCSE language course will involve learning how to speak and write the
language. You will practise speaking the language aloud, perhaps with a language
assistant, and certainly with other members of your class. You will learn how to
speak and write about a number of different topics such as your friends and
family, your hobbies and even your plans for the future!
Most schools arrange exchange visits, so you can experience life abroad with
students of a similar age, and have students from overseas visit your school and
home. This would give you a chance to try out your language skills.
In your working life
In the future, you may have the opportunity to work overseas. You are free to
work without a permit anywhere in the European Union, no matter what job you do
– whether you end up being a vehicle technician or a graphic designer. However,
you can only make the best of such chances if you can speak the language of the
country you are working in!
Even if you prefer to stay based in this country, many companies now do business
abroad, mostly in Europe, but also in Asia, the Middle East etc. Employees – not
only sales staff, but specialists like engineering or computing staff – often have to
travel abroad to meet customers. Some large businesses have offices overseas
offering opportunities for employment.
If you can speak a foreign language, all sorts of employers will be interested in
you because it will demonstrate that you are adaptable, have mental agility, and
possess good oral and written communication skills.
In your everyday life
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If you go abroad on holiday, it can be fun to speak the local language when
ordering food, shopping, or simply greeting people. In emergencies, it may be
vital to make yourself understood. It's also polite to show that you have made
an effort to learn the language!
You will be able to make friends with people from other countries – not only if
you go abroad, but also when people from other countries visit your area, school
or home. You could practise your language by keeping in touch with them via
email, social networking sites or letter.
You will often come across other languages in this country – on menus in
restaurants, and on labels of various products in shops.
Job ideas using languages
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Translating and interpreting: you must be fluent in at least one foreign
language. As a translator, you deal with the written word. As an interpreter,
you translate the spoken word and might, for example, interpret at
international conferences.
Travel and tourism: you could work as a travel rep, courier or agent for a tour
operator.
Teaching: if you've enjoyed learning languages, you may enjoy teaching them to
others. Ask your teacher what it's like.
Sales and export: sales staff – and scientific and technical people – who take
products and services abroad need to be able to build good relationships with
the people they hope to do business with – in their own language.
Legal and financial: companies and organisations that conduct business overseas
often require the services of lawyers, accountants and insurance professionals
who specialise in international laws and regulations.
Journalism: a reporter of foreign affairs is more likely to find out what is
happening if he or she understands the language. There's not always an
interpreter on hand when you need one!
What other jobs can you think of where you need to be good at, or interested in,
languages?
Some facts and figures
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The institutions of the European Union are the largest employers of
interpreters.
There are around 50 languages that you can study at university, including
Arabic, Czech and Chinese. For less familiar languages, you do not need to have
studied them before going to university. However, you are likely to have to
show that you are able to learn languages to a high standard by having an A
level in one of the more widely taught modern languages.
You can combine the study of a language with many other different subjects,
like engineering and business studies. Very few jobs need languages alone, so
you will need other skills.
If you choose a language course at university, you usually spend a year studying
or working abroad.
It's thought that about 75% of internet users are non-English speakers.
There are around 6,000 living languages in the world today.
Research shows that business customers are four times more likely to buy a
product if they are approached in their own language.