Why study languages? Dr Sarah Bowden Lecturer in German and Admissions Tutor, King’s College London

What does it mean to study languages at University What does it mean to study languages at University? Where will it get me?

Studying languages means…. cultural studies literature film history politics philosophy linguistics YEAR ABROAD JOINT DEGREE

BA German degrees at King’s Year 1 Core 1: Core language Core 2: Texts and Contexts + Options 100 Years of German Cinema German Politics and Society Milestones of German History Medieval Germany: Language, Literature and Society Year 2 & 4 Core language Choice of modules (including optional dissertation), possibly including 1 x 15-credit elective

Core Language 1 Four hours of specialist language teaching a week, including one hour of translation Focussed development of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills Oral practice with native speakers

Texts and Contexts BA German Core Introduction to the study of literary texts and their contexts A range of texts from the medieval period to the present day, including films One lecture and one small-group seminar a week

2nd year Modules 2014–25 Berlin: Past and Present German Realist Fiction in the 19th Century The German Reformation Society, Politics and Popular Culture in Germany since 1870 A Year in the Life of German-language Film The Beginnings of the Arthurian Tradition in Germany 18th-Century German Thought: the Education of Humanity Germany since 1945: Politics, Society, Economics The City in German-language Literature and Film

Year Abroad (Year 3) Erasmus exchanges British Council Teaching Assistants Work Placement or Internship

Work on the year abroad White Clarke Group (Vienna office) BMW, Munich

What next? What careers options are there for language students and graduates? Why are your language skills essential to the global marketplace? Why do so many businesses want people who can speak foreign languages?

Which careers need languages? (not just the usual suspects…..)

Some examples... Film & TV Retail Teaching Translation / interpreting Journalism Law Accounting & finance Events Some examples... Charities & international development Advertising Some of the usual suspects – teaching, translation, EU, foreign office... But not just about these careers! Here are just a few examples, by no means everything. Why languages are helpful for some of these? E.g: Consultancy, need to fully understand a business to analyse its pros and cons and make recommendations – may provide products to international markets, have international clients etc Film & TV – think about some programmes that would be very difficult to film without languages e.g. James Bond Quantum of Solace in Mexico, Panama, Chile International development – remote areas where no English spoken, trust, building relationships etc Government (UK, EU, international) Leisure & tourism Consulting Marketing & PR Arts & heritage Research

Previous students? Marketing at a global beauty brand Grants Manager at a London charity English Teacher at British Council Private Secretary in the Civil Service Global Data Analyst at a mass media corporation Insurance Broker at Lloyds Insurance Policy Consultant at an international parliament Intern at the UN Translator for an online leisure guide Reporter at a regional newspaper Policy Officer at a parliamentary advisory council Associate at an accountancy firm Arts Coordinator at an international arts venue Editorial Assistant at a Brussels-based communications agency Policy Assistant at a London university Copywriter at an international retail giant Finance at an international fashion house Lecturer at a Parisian university Production Assistant at a film production company

Confederation of British Industry (2012) 36% of employers recruit employees specifically for their language skills “(Languages) help to break the ice with potential business partners, customers and clients, and can open access to new markets” Languages are ‘bonus points’ for many companies 41% employers were ‘not satisfied’ with lack of foreign language skills in applicants and new employees 72% of UK international trade is with non-English speaking countries!

Languages rated ‘most useful’ by employers German (50%) French (49%) Spanish (37%) Mandarin (25%) Polish (19%) Japanese (11%) Portuguese (6%) South Korean (3%) don’t forget: knowing one foreign language makes it easier to learn more!

British Council/Think Global (2011) More employers (79%) said knowledge and awareness of the wider world is important in recruiting new employees, compared with degree classification (74%) Three-quarters of businesses think we are in danger of being left behind by emerging countries unless young people learn to think more globally Applicants failed to see the potential career advantages to be gained from language interaction and international experiences Think Global – educational development charity

Employer like languages students because... "We definitely see overseas experience as an advantage. Our clients are demanding more of us these days. They want diversity of thought and diversity of values, and many of our clients are multinationals." “International education ignites a passion for understanding other people and their perspectives... essential to success in our increasingly diverse world.”

Not just your language skills…. Your English! Communication skills Analytical skills Critical thinking Creativity Independent thought and research Year abroad: insight into new cultures, adapting to new surroundings, problem-solving

Dr Sarah Bowden sarah.bowden@kcl.ac.uk