What can I do with a Languages degree? What doors can a knowledge of languages open up for me? These are important questions which students ask themselves. We were, therefore, pleased to welcome to school one of our parents, Ros Englefield, to talk to students about careers with languages, drawing on her own career. Ros had studied French and Spanish at Bath University and enjoyed a career in the travel industry, progressing from travel representative to managerial roles within the industry. Her ability to speak languages was essential and often took her into unchartered waters. e.g. visiting a prison in Spain to organise the release of a tourist of whom drink had got the better.

The talk outlined a number of careers using languages. Alongside teaching, translation and interpreting, international businesses of all descriptions require linguists. At university, languages can often be combined with other subjects e.g. Engineering, Law, Business Studies as the need for our professionals to speak other languages grows. There are, of course, also many opportunities for living and working abroad. Furthermore, the study of a language provides many transferable skills which are useful to employers. Linguists are generally creative, skilled communicators, careful with detail, good at interpretation, analysis and organisation. They can give you the edge when job-seeking.

The talk, organised by Mr P. Lloyd, was well received by the pupils and our thanks go to Ros for her interesting and relevant talk.