A university department to promote Chinese culture and language and strengthen business links with Wales has officially opened, the BBC reports.
The Confucius Institute, named after the Chinese philosopher, is based at Cardiff University.
With 73 similar institutes in Europe, it is the second to be opened in Wales.
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the institute was ‘hugely […]

Languages Work - a motivational talk for students making subject choices in S2 and S4
Why languages are important in your students’ future
Tim Steward of Languages Network Scotland has offered to visit your school to give a 45-minute talk to students in S2 and S4 on why languages are important in their future careers. In careers […]

Throughout January, February and March of 2008, CILT is running a series of free nationwide seminars for non-native speakers of English interested in learning about how to qualify to teach languages in English schools. If you are or have been a Foreign Language Assistant, or are a native speaker of a language other than English […]

Japan is considering introducing language tests for foreigners who want to live and work there, reports the BBC.
Officials are investigating how a scheme adding a language requirement for long-term residency visas and work permits could be implemented.
Japan recently began photographing and finger-printing all foreign nationals when they enter the country.
Read more on the BBC website.

Careers Scotland has published ‘Which Way Now? 2008′ which can be downloaded from its website.‘Which Way Now? 2008′ aims to help young people in S2 decide which subjects to study over the next two years. It includes information about Standard Grades and other National Qualifications, as well as an easy-to-use Subject File which offers basic information […]

A recent EU sponsored survey of SMEs (small/medium companies) shows that knowledge of Russian is becoming more important for business in Europe.
You can read the summary report or the full report on the Europa website.
PDF file: Summary report - ELAN: Effects on the European Economy of Shortages of Foreign Language Skills in Enterprise
PDF file: Full report […]

A US company merges with a Mexican firm, a software manufacturer establishes an office abroad, a bank opens a branch in a Portuguese-speaking community…
For one reason or another, employees are finding out they need to acquire a second language, says Boston.com website.

Hibs boss John Collins today revealed in the Scotsman that he wouldn’t have signed French-speaking players if he didn’t speak the language.
Patrick Noubissie became the seventh member of Collins’ squad with a Gallic connection on signing a two-year contract, joining Guillaume Beuzelin, Thierry Gatheussi, Abdessalam Benjelloun, Merouane Zemmama, Yves Ma-Kalambay and Torben Joneleit.
But, while former Monaco […]

Current UCAS data, released 19 July, indicates that many languages are experiencing increases in applications for single and major honours degrees this year. Notably, Japanese applications are up by 41%, German by 20% and Modern Middle Eastern Studies by 10%. This is compared with a 6% overall increase in applications across all subjects, compared to […]

David Miliband is being asked to reverse a ‘moronic’ decision to close down a secure Whitehall language training school attended by GCHQ and security services staff involved in counterterrorism. The Foreign Office language school offers the security services, diplomats and MPs individual lessons in 41 languages by security-vetted staff in Whitehall.Read this story on the […]