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A lesson in NVQ Business French

An innovative pillot programme designed to engage Year 10 and year 11 students across Sheffield by offering foreign language learning in a real and simulated business context is proving to be a big hit with both students and businesses alike.

Funded by Objective 1 via the pioneering Pathways to Success project, over 150 students are currently studying to gain units towards an NVQ Level 1 accreditation in one or more of the skills associated with learning a language – reading, writing, listening and speaking. This figure is anticipated to rise to 600 pupils by September 2004.

“We aim to enable students to achieve competence based language skills in French, German or Spanish which they can then go on to use in the world of work. Developing such skills raises the employability of each student and increases their motivation as well as alerting them to the fact that there is a distinct shortfall of business language skills in the wider business community. Some students are also able to develop their IT skills by wordprocessing their work and researching foreign companies on the Internet using e-learning facilities also funded by Objective 1.”

Katherine Smith is now working with her colleague Anouck Guinchard, to identify Sheffield-based companies who use languages with a view to allowing students to visit these companies to put their studies into practice. Katherine continues: “Forging partnerships with local businesses will enable students to experience a real working environment and put into practice skills such as introducing a colleague, sending an email and making a telephone call in French, German or Spanish.

In turn, businesses will be invited to provide input into the current languages curriculum to create a greater co-operation and understanding between businesses and the education Education Directorate,concludes: “Katherine and her team are excelling in delivering a programme which is both interesting and exciting, not only for the students involved but also for the future development of business within the city. As a key player in Europe, it is very important that our children develop an understanding of our European neighbours and language is a proven way to facilitate this.

Thanks to the Pathways to Success programme, the traditional educational offering is able to progress and adapt to respond to the requirements of employers by opening new educational doors for the benefit of children across the region.

Please contact Katherine Smith at Silverdale School, Sheffield for more information.