The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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Vol/53 No/5 2014 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER The Linguist 7 FEATURES Why work experience at the CIOL has played an important part in Laetitia Do Carmo Fonseca's life A s a French undergraduate studying English and Spanish at the University of Cergy Pontoise, near Paris, I had to do a stage of eight weeks' work experience. I needed to improve my English, so the UK seemed the best choice. Thanks to a previous placement in Madrid, I knew that going to the country of the target-language would be the best way to perfect my linguistic abilities. A family member put me in contact with the CIOL; I then had an interview and was given a place starting in July. For me, it was the perfect placement. I was excited at the thought of working in such a company and was made to feel so welcome. I worked across the IoL Educational Trust (IoLET), assisting the Examination Supervisor for the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI). I dealt with the mark sheets, which need to be processed before September for the return of the final results. I really enjoyed this because it enabled me to see what the examiners expect from candidates; I plan to sit the DPSI soon. As a student, I also now realise how much work goes in to correcting the examination scripts. I have discovered an enormous amount about the CIOL and everything it provides. And I've learned so many things about working abroad, about the English culture but also about myself. During the events I've participated in, I have met language professionals and will keep in touch with them. Coming to London is definitely more than a purely 'work' experience: I have visited the famous sights and discovered different areas of the city. For me, the rest of 2014 involves an Erasmus+ programme, studying Communication in a Spanish university. But the stage at the CIOL has played an important part in my life, and I am now thinking of returning to London after my studies. The right placement The CIOL is frequently approached by GCSE, A-level and university students who wish to join us for anything from one week to six months on a work placement programme. Most are language students, interested in the work the CIOL does to promote languages and support the work of language professionals, and in learning more about how they might use their languages in their future careers. With a multilingual staff team, members working in more than 70 languages and examinations in more than 50 languages, the CIOL is a great place for budding linguists to discover more about languages from around the world. Having said that, the one common language, and the one we speak day-to-day in the office, is English. We are currently exploring the possibility of offering a regular placement scheme to help young students gain experience of working with languages and exposure to the world of the professional linguist. SUPPORTING TALENT After sitting her GCSE exams, Rebecca Griffiths did a one-week placement at Dunstan House in July. She is now studying A-level Spanish, French, History and Economics. I did my placement with CIOL to gain experience of working in a business and to enhance my prospects. I was interested in the Institute because I have a passion for languages, and the organisation seemed interesting and different. I mainly proofread examination documentation; it was fascinating to see how exams and examiners work. I also helped with the new website, which showed me how websites work behind the scenes. I most enjoyed visiting the House of Lords for a talk on Erasmus+ and the Metropolitan Police for a Language Awards ceremony, because I got to visit places I would never have dreamt of going into. The talk on Erasmus+ made me want to take part, while it was great to meet people working at the Met. In the future, I hope to go to university to study Spanish and French.