“Languages Work” Pupils’ Conferences at RGU

1. “Languages Work” Pupils’ Conferences at RGU Murray Hill Aberdeen Business School The Robert Gordon University LangWorkltsmay2005

2. Overview • Background • Conference model • “Resource synergy” • Example speakers/pupil interaction • Media coverage • Internal impact • 8m video clip > Questions LangWorkltsmay2005

3. “LanguagesWork” Pupils’ Conferences • 2 major senior secondary school events hosted by RGU • Jan 2004 (LWI), Jan 2005 (LWII) • LWI: 17 Aberdeenshire schools • LWII: 12 Aberdeen City Council schools • LWI: 300 S5 & S6 senior pupils • LWII: 250 S4, S5 & S6 pupils LangWorkltsmay2005

4. Background • RGU track-record of collaboration in schools’ European Awareness days • The Gordon Schools, Huntly • (S)CILT Marketing seminars on promoting languages • Brian called Murray… • Little did I know what I was getting myself in for… LangWorkltsmay2005

5. Background • Steering group formed • Conference aims agreed • Resource analysis • Regular planning meetings (8) • Event management… LangWorkltsmay2005

6. LWI Conference Aims • “To underline the value of the place of Modern Foreign Languages in the school curriculum and the success gained by pupils in Aberdeenshire” • “To highlight the wide range of employment opportunities available to people with language skills” • “To celebrate the enjoyment to be gained from learning other languages” LangWorkltsmay2005

7. LWII Conference Aims • “To take Modern Foreign Languages out of the classroom into the real world” • “To demonstrate that learning and using MFLs are life enhancing experiences which lead to employment opportunities • “To explode the myth that you have to know the whole language to be able to use some of it” LangWorkltsmay2005

8. Other Conference Aims • To achieve maximum event publicity and exposure within the University and beyond • To sustain initial event impact • To produce marketing materials for dissemination in schools > CD-rom • To inspire! LangWorkltsmay2005

9. Resource synergy • What are the collaboration gains from the perspective of - The schools? • The University? • The exhibitors/sponsors? • The National Agencies LangWorkltsmay2005

10. University provides… • Access to high quality award-winning campus venue (atrium, lecture theatres, break-out rooms, hospitality base room) • IT support facilities & recording studios > CD-rom production • (Linguists), Graphics & Publishing, press officer, photographer, administrators, caterers, janitors, reception staff, car park attendants (event managers) LangWorkltsmay2005

11. University provides… • Links with business/industry/community > guest speakers • Graduates > guest interviewees • Ideas • Trusted partners • Consultancy services (LWI > free) (LWII > fee) LangWorkltsmay2005

12. Schools provide… • Access to potential applicants • Logistical/Transport know-how • Curriculum support group project funds • Council support staff: administrators, Graphics & Publishing, press officer • Video recording equipment LangWorkltsmay2005

13. Schools provide • Links with business/industry/community • Links with primary feeder schools > Poster display • Steering group members • Ideas (interactive tasks!) • Pupil talent (LW signature tune > CD!) LangWorkltsmay2005

14. Exhibitors/Info Providers • French, German, Italian & Spanish national agencies • British Council • Socrates/Erasmus • Local companies & sponsors, e.g. TOTAL (remember Aberdeen is the Oil Capital of Europe) > use of logos! • CILT, National Centre for Languages LangWorkltsmay2005

15. “Cast of 1000s” • Pupils, Teachers, VIPs • Guest speakers (& minders) • Exhibitors • University Staff • Student volunteers • Other University users… • Event management! LangWorkltsmay2005

16. Now what do we do? “All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you” (Gandalf in The Return of the King) LangWorkltsmay2005

17. Conference Model • Careful balance / audience pitch • Morning presentations > Euro lunch • Afternoon interactive sessions • Plenary • Link between languages & technology • Video camera recording of event by RGU and all school teams • Customised record of events • Official RGU CD-rom LangWorkltsmay2005

18. Conference Model • Short formal presentations from personalities, experienced reps of business & education communities (LWI & II) • Graduate presentations (LWI) > • University graduate “Question Time” panel interviews (LWII) • Interactive sessions LangWorkltsmay2005

19. Example speakers (high media profile) • Aim high! • Berti Vogts, former German national team footballer/manager of Scotland national football team • Cameron Stout, “Big brother” personality • Claudia Schiffer (well, almost…) • Messages of support... LangWorkltsmay2005

20. Example speakers (business community, RGU graduates) • Experienced & not-so experienced speakers, e.g. - owner of New Marcliffe Hotel - Director of ACC Education Services • Recent RGU graduates, e.g. - amazon.com (Euro Accounts manager) - Nokia (User interface designer) LangWorkltsmay2005

21. Interactive Session: New Language Challenge” • Resource: RGU international student volunteers & local community foreign nationals, c. 20 languages • “global conference community” • Farsi > Arabic > Japanese> Swahili • Native speaker coached small groups • On stage pupil NLC presentations/prizes LangWorkltsmay2005

22. Interactive Session: Other examples • Pupils interview & record guest speakers/graduates (TL) • Questionnaire: pupils quiz exhibitors (TL) • Pupils’ buzz groups create new marketing statements promoting languages (TL) • Buzz par excellence! LangWorkltsmay2005

23. Media Coverage • Pre-event/post-event • External (local, national) • Internal (University, schools) • Short-term/long-term LangWorkltsmay2005

24. LWI • Extensive press releases, radio & TV features • PP messages of support from high profile personalities unable to attend • “Berti Vogts helps promote languages message at RGU” (RGU-News leader) • LWI CD-rom (“Oh Dear, she didn’t do a language”) LangWorkltsmay2005

25. LWII • Herald newspaper, locals* • NE radio station • CILT Newsletter & Journal • RGU Newsletter: “Big Brother’s Cameron Shares Language Skills” • RGU Alumni Magazine • ACC Enterprise in Education Magazine • TOTAL Courier (front page & feature) LangWorkltsmay2005

26. Internal impact (RGU) • LW timing generated awareness within University population (staff/students) • Euro Award > increased prestige • RGU corporate marketing; department web feature • RGU committee minutes • Increased language module take-up by course designers LangWorkltsmay2005

27. Internal impact (RGU) • Follow-up Aberdeenshire schools event hosted by RGU Economics & Law Dept • Conference pack VIP/participants lists > RGU Industrial Liaison group membership • Questionnaires/recruitment analysis • Graduates rub shoulders with employers LangWorkltsmay2005

28. Internal impact (schools) • Euro Award > increased prestige • Follow-up Euro Awareness events > healthy language options uptake • LWI CD-rom > younger pupils • Increased take-up of languages • Interest in taster days at RGU LangWorkltsmay2005

29. Other spin-offs • Primary school involvement • Long-term interest in languages? • Posters as resource > potential for display in Aberdeen Art Gallery (2 year lead-in time!), Shopping Mall, Tourist Board etc LangWorkltsmay2005

30. Room for improvement • *Local “Press & Journal” featured picture of pupil holding “EFL” book • Title clearly visible – and sending the wrong message… • RGU press releases ref “serious FL decline in recent years” unhelpful LangWorkltsmay2005

31. Room for improvement • Increased demand for RGU presence at school European Awareness days but • Inadequate University schools liaison support • University prospectus/information booklets > scant reference to languages, subject not indexed LangWorkltsmay2005

32. Would I do it again? • Gandalf… • Buzz factor • SCHML website • www.rgu.ac.uk • Video clip (8m) • Questions? LangWorkltsmay2005