FIFA HQ World Cup Presentations

It's a snow day today, preventing the school from opening, so I'm at home catching up on world news, watching the live country bids for the World Cup in 2018. Once again I am reminded of how important interpreters are in helping ease communication between the various nations and the communication of their speeches to the rest of the world. Here is The Guardian's write up on our chances. Come on The Lions! Live coverage of our bid on SKY NEWS channel 517 NOW! SKY updates

The Importance of Learning Languages

The recent media coverage of the Chilean miners rescue has highlighted the importance of languages in the global community. You only had to witness Tim Wilcox, prized journalist for the BBC, switching effortlessly into Spanish in order to interview the family of a miner and then translating the conversation back into English again for the viewers at home, to understand how much of an asset his knowledge of Spanish was to the BBC at this crucial time and indeed, for making him, usually the studio anchorman, the ideal man for the job abroad.

"And the other secret weapon the BBC had was its remarkable on-site anchor, Tim Wilcox. He is normally an anchor on the domestic BBC News channel but he was sent to Chile three weeks ago and he showed a remarkable change in persona anchoring on-site rather than from the studio. It was obvious how well he knew his story, that he knew and had spoken to all those involved – officials, family, and the like, his Spanish was impeccable in being able to interview family members and officials live and give instant translation – he was just so natural." (http://followthemedia.com/writeon/bbcchile14102010.htm)

His Twitter feed also shows the benefits of his language knowledge, as well as the power of Web 2.0 technologies:

Just spoke to the father of the first miner expected up, Florencio Avalos. Father Alfonso says he is excited but anxious.
1,286,908,596,000.00 via web

Interpreters were also important in the international communication process of the rescue attempt:

The voice of an interpreter on hand to translate the words of the miners and rescuers for the English-speaking audience watching at home, could sometimes be heard directing the miners to get out of the way of the camera set up to beam images across the planet.
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=177177

Interpreters were also used to communicate Presidential speeches abroad, and Chile's President, Sebastian Pinera, even showed up or own PM by speaking to him in fluent English.

All in all languages were at the heart of international affairs. So if you want to get ahead in the world - learn languages!

Languages Save the Day!

I went to buy a Spanish newspaper today (well a French one actually but they don't sell them any more). The shop owner couldn't tell me how much it was in English £ - despite scanning the international prices small print. Feeling the pressure of the growing queue behind me on a busy Saturday morning I had to help him out...

OK, I admit, the guy was set up into making knowing languages look good by my fair handed self - however it felt good at the time :o)

Intercultural Understanding

Check this video out: Eels

I love this video as it really shows the need for Intercultural Understanding. As we welcome our new year 7's into the school we are embarking on a transition project which includes Intercultural Understanding. This features in the KS2 Framework for Languages and we hope to build upon this as they begin their KS3 language studies.

Languages lead to...

One evening in to hosting our French exchange lead teacher and I'm reminded why I love learning languages. If it wasn't for learning French I wouldn't have travelled to France, if it wasn't for travelling to France I wouldn't have eaten in nice restaurants or stayed with welcoming families, and if it wasn't for these experiences I may never have discovered CHEESE & WINE! The combination of creamy, tangy, salty, savoury cheese, washed down with a fruity, medium bodied wine of the red variety is pure gourmet heaven...

My cheese favourites: (This is a work in progress - I'll add as I discover!)

Camembert (French)
Brie (French)
Wensledale and cranberry (English)
Emmental (Swiss)

My wine favourites:

I never remember names, but I do remember grapes. However my latest trick is taking a photo of a well enjoyed bottle on my mobile phone to add to my current library, ready for referring to when in the aisle of the local supermarché. Highly effective for the visual learner you know (the obligatory education link!).

Why Learn Languages?

Preparing to take part in an assembly talk on the importance of learning languages at another secondary school, has made me relive all that learning languages has done for me: prompted travel opportunities both prior and during university, gained me employment, saved me from redundancy, kept me in higher paid temp jobs when redundancy finally did occur (in the financial sector!) and finally helped me pursue the profession that I am still in today. The benefits are still relevant given the economic crisis and rise of job losses on what seems like a day by day basis during some periods. So I can only encourage you to learn languages!



3 Oct 2009 - An update to the cause of the importance of learning languages:

Guido Westerwelle snubs BBC reporter for English question at press conference