News

Monday 14 April 2008

University expertise to be used for multi-million pound language programme

Nottingham Trent University has become one of the lead partners in a multi-million pound national language programme designed to increase the take-up of languages from school into university.  The  ‘Routes into Languages’ initiative has been established following growing concerns about the national decline in language study at GCSE level and beyond, and will see the university head the East Midlands consortium of the programme. 

Working alongside other regional universities, Nottingham Trent University will be helping to develop a series of regional projects covering languages such as German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.  The projects will also embrace languages spoken by minority groups in the UK, such as Polish, Urdu, Arabic and Mandarin – an increasingly popular language for study due to its emerging importance in global business.

Nottingham Trent University’s own plans include the development of a team of student language ambassadors to facilitate local after-school clubs, themed family language suppers and an East Midlands Regional Languages Summer School to assist pupils studying for language A-Levels.

As well as promoting language learning, Nottingham Trent University will also aim to raise greater cultural awareness of the countries and people in which these languages are spoken.  The Routes into Languages programme is supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, as well as the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Mirella Santamaria, senior lecturer in the university’s School of Arts and Humanities and project manager for the programme said: “Nottingham Trent University has an excellent track record in supporting and developing language study for young people, as well as significant experience in widening participation initiatives for languages. 

“Through the Routes into Languages programme we’re hoping to enthuse and encourage more young people to discover the world of opportunities that foreign language skills can open up for them.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Student Language Ambassadors
Nottingham Trent University’s student language ambassador scheme launches week commencing 14 April.  Students will be facilitating after school clubs at a wide range of local schools.  Details of these dates and venues are available from the Nottingham Trent University Press Office.

Family language suppers
The children and families who have taken part in the after school clubs will be invited to attend the first family language supper on the 22 May at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus.  The event will feature guest speaker Laura Romero, Education Department Advisor from the Spanish Embassy, along with displays of the children’s work and an internationally themed buffet meal.

Press enquiries please contact: Matt Wallace, Press Office, on Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 8785, or via email: matthew.wallace@ntu.ac.uk; or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk