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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thelinguist.uberflip.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER The Linguist 21 FEATURES of the Year award and 2013 University of the Year, has introduced the CLB as part of the University Wide Language Programme. He says, "It's a bonus on top of [students'] other studies and they're looking forward to gaining an additional qualification." The university is now planning to offer the CLB to a wider market by inviting local businesses to participate, as well as students. Recently, Nigel Wright, Engineering Learning and Development Manager for Syngenta Huddersfield, inquired about the language programmes. In order to participate in global projects with engineers from other countries, his organisation needs engineers who are able to communicate in French. The CLB involves a mix of assessment and exam, and is designed to reflect the way languages are used in business. There are times in the workplace when reference materials can be accessed to help complete a task (e.g. when writing a business email in an office), and other times when people have to rely on their linguistic knowledge and understanding (such as hearing an announcement in a railway station). The CLB suits a wide range of abilities, offering top candidates the possibility of receiving a 'merit' or 'distinction' while enabling students who are not strong linguists to gain a 'pass'. It is hoped that its practical nature will also attract boys, who are less represented in language learning and much more switched on by the business connection. This new business language qualification emerged as a response to the continuing decrease in language study in the UK following the removal of languages from the compulsory post-14 curriculum in 2004. In the same period, qualifications for those at work, such as Foreign Languages for Industry and Commerce (FLIC) and Foreign Languages at Work (FLAW), have all but disappeared, leaving a qualifications gap for those learning a language and seeking accreditation for professional use. Standing out strikingly from these trends is the massive increase experienced by University Language Centres, where more students than ever before are studying a language alongside another discipline or as an elective part of their programme. These are the business managers, accountants, lawyers, engineers and marketeers of the future, who are recognising and valuing the communication advantage that comes from speaking another language. In 2013, IoLET was approached by the Language Alliance, which was concerned about further potential decline in language teaching in schools and the subsequent lack of opportunity for young learners seeking practical language skills. The Certificate in Languages for Business (CLB) was born and joint development started immediately on constructing a qualification that would suit the needs of older school learners and university students, as well as people at work. The focus was on 16+ and six key thematic areas were identified: talking about places of work and job roles and requirements; corresponding with others on business matters; travelling for work; sales and marketing activities; providing customer service; and understanding rules and regulations. Early 2014 was spent finalising the qualification specification, gaining Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examination Regulation) approval and getting the qualification added to the QCF (Qualification and Credit Framework), followed by the registration of some 'early adopters' to run it during its first year. With very positive feedback from the schools and university running it this year, we hope to see the first cohort of CLB-certified linguists this summer. This will be the first stage towards filling the gap in business language qualifications, with many more, including business learners, expected to study for the qualification in 2015/16. PERFECT OPPORTUNITY Yewlands pupils studying the CLB The CLB comprises two units: Speaking and Listening; and Reading and Writing. During the course, candidates complete six controlled assessments which together constitute 35% of the result. The final examination – accounting for 65% of the result – tests candidates in reading, writing, speaking and listening in work- and business- related contexts. EXAM STRUCTURE Practical by design How IoLET developed the Certificate in Languages for Business. By Chief Executive Ann Carlisle