On 8 November 2019, over one hundred and eighty students aged sixteen to seventeen and their teachers took part in an event to learn what studying a language at University is like. Attendees took part in interactive workshops, which ranged from Beginners Italian, Russian and Mandarin to more immersive French and Spanish language classes.
Along with a talk about the breadth of language courses offered by the University of Bath, attendees took part in a campus tour led by student ambassadors, which gave them an insight into university life.
The event concluded with an inspiring talk from one of the University's Careers Advisers and two of Bath's language graduates who have used their skills successfully during their careers. Oliver Snalune, an International Sales Executive at Nuvias Group studied Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab-initio Russian) at the University and graduated in 2018 and Sophie Pownall, now studying MA Contemporary European Studies at the University, studied Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) at the University and graduated in 2019. Both spoke about their beneficial experiences during their Year Abroad and encouraged students to use languages to explore the world and expand their career horizons.
The event received enthusiastic feedback from the attending pupils and teachers. "Spotlight on Languages was a great success!", said Enrico Cecconi, Admissions Tutor for Modern Languages & European Studies. "I was extremely pleased to take part and present our language provision within the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies and to highlight the importance of studying languages and the value they have in our society. I hope students returned home enriched and enthused, knowing which pathway they are going to follow in their future university career. I look forward to next year event again!"
The Spotlight on Languages event was organised jointly by the Campus Events Team and the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies.
We hope to run another Spotlight on Languages event in 2020 which is one of a number of Spotlight events run by the University.