At TransAction, we know the value of language skills in the international business community as a means of opening doors to the global economy and reaching a worldwide market. However, research has shown that the UK is losing its place in the global marketplace due to a lack of language skills. It is for this reason that businessman Roland Rudd has launched a campaign encouraging the business community to recognise the importance of language skills to the economy and to employment. The Languages Work scheme aims to encourage businesses, education institutions and the government to sign a pledge to show their support for languages. The campaign, run by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, also aims to highlight the benefits of language learning, something that we at TransAction feel strongly about.
With 75% of the world’s population unable to speak any English at all, this is a message that needs to be understood if Britain is to maintain its position in the global marketplace. Roland highlighted the personal as well as the practical benefits of language learning, stating that “the ability to speak a foreign language enriches us as individuals and brings huge commercial benefits to employers.”
In monetary terms, rebalancing the UK’s trade with non-English speaking countries could add £21 billion per year to UK GDP. Michelle Brassell, CILT’s Employment Engagement Adviser, underlined the importance of the pledge, stating that "signing the Languages Work Pledge is a simple and practical way to ensure that the importance of languages and intercultural skills to business in the UK is kept at the forefront of the Government’s agenda".
For further information, and to sign the pledge, please visit the Languages Work website.
