Life changing opportunities through learning languages

With a mix of external speakers and York St John University School of Languages staff delivering talks, the day was hailed a great success by the teachers and students that took part.

This year’s keynote speaker was Sally Fagan from Business Language Champions, who spoke about how languages can take a career in all sorts of unexpected directions because they may give you an edge over other candidates. Sally also highlighted that having the ability to speak one extra language means it can be easier to pick up new ones, opening up more job possibilities across the globe.

Subjects for the day also included interpreting, the language of great customer service, body language and marketing. York St John University lecturer Mizumi Nango delivered a session on Japanese culture and language and Dr Dai O’Brien talked about BSL in the workplace. Students were given pointers on how to interact with deaf people as well as how to ask someone their name and spell their own in BSL. The Head of Languages Marion Martinez promoted study abroad opportunities at university and inspired students to think about what they can do before they enter the world of work.

Alison Hayes, Senior Lecturer in Languages said: "This was another successful event, where we work with local schools to help students realise the benefits of studying languages. Students were able to find out more about the amazing opportunities available to them if they speak another language as well as a chance to see that York St John University would be a fantastic place to study."

A student who attended the day said “I found this event very interesting and informative. I learned different ways that languages can be so useful and it made me seriously consider doing a degree in languages.”

If you are interested in having students from your school participating in the conference next year please contact: school.ll@yorksj.ac.uk