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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

10. 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?

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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!

16. 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

17. 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.”

18. 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

19. Dr Sarah Bowden