ALL-‐PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP on
MODERN LANGUAGES
Chairs: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), Nia Griffith MP (Labour) Vice Chairs: Paul Maynard MP (Conservative), Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Liberal Democrat)
Media Update (18-24 February 2015) 1) British Academy/ The Guardian: The Case for Language Learning 18 February How to learn a foreign language on a budget You don’t need expensive lessons to start – try smartphone apps, foreign TV and radio, online guides and your local library. http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/feb/18/learn-foreign-language-budget-app-online-library
2) Policy, education and related Stick with languages for global success Should the government intervene to create a more level playing field for language learning? “Academic research shows that maths and verbal Sat scores — crucial to gaining a US university place — climb higher with each additional year of foreign language study” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c237654c-b383-11e4-9449-00144feab7de.html#axzz3StLn5LZQ
23 February Every child should leave school fluent in Welsh, demand campaigners in a letter to Education Minister Huw Lewis Welsh language campaigners have written to the Welsh Government to demand a major overhaul of the national curriculum http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/every-child-should-leave-school-8696083
Routes into Languages 21 February Amir Khan encourages Trafford youngsters who don't speak English at home
ALL-‐PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP on
MODERN LANGUAGES
Chairs: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), Nia Griffith MP (Labour) Vice Chairs: Paul Maynard MP (Conservative), Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Liberal Democrat) The competition, which is run by Manchester Metropolitan University and Routes Into Languages, takes the form of a series of regional competitions, which will be split into two parts. http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/11809320.Amir_Khan_encourages_Trafford_youngste rs_who_don_t_speak_English_at_home/
Irish 19 February Newry, Mourne and Down council to use the Irish equivalent of its name first on its new logo Bitter row erupts as English is relegated to second place on new logo
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-‐ireland/newry-‐mourne-‐and-‐down-‐council-‐to-‐ use-‐the-‐irish-‐equivalent-‐of-‐its-‐name-‐first-‐on-‐its-‐new-‐logo-‐31004169.html
20 February Irish tax authority loses court appeal over Irish language law Under the Official Languages Act, public bodies must communicate with the general public either in Irish only or bilingually, using English and Irish. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31557334
BSL 24 February Essex Police release sign language video It has been put together by the force’s in house TV Unit as part of a wider initiative to improve access to Essex Police services. http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/11813990.Essex_Police_release_sign_language_video/
ALL-‐PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP on
MODERN LANGUAGES
Chairs: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), Nia Griffith MP (Labour) Vice Chairs: Paul Maynard MP (Conservative), Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Liberal Democrat)
3) Business, translation & interpreting 18 February UK economy 'needs migrants' language skills' As the general election approaches, a campaign has been launched by The Movement Against Xenophobia to highlight the positive impact of migrants, to help "celebrate, not vilify" the contribution of immigration to the UK. In response, the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) has spoken out about the skills provided by migrants to the UK in sustaining our economy. http://www.freshbusinessthinking.com/news.php?NID=25125#.VO-eabPKorM
20 February London agent launches Chinese language website One of London’s most go-ahead buying agencies, Black Brick, has launched a Chinese language website to try to grab those High Net Worth Individuals from China. http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/2014-london-agent-launches-chinese-language-website
25 February Microsoft Translator to become language time-capsule “In our ongoing effort to empower language communities to preserve their languages and cultures, we are excited to introduce Yucatec Maya and Querétaro Otomi to Microsoft Translator’s ever-growing list of supported languages.” http://www.itproportal.com/2015/02/25/microsoft-translator-become-language-time-capsule/
23 February New theatre app helps Welsh language drama attract new audiences “When there are surtitles, the problem is that you spend most of the time reading them but with this app you get a whisper in your ear telling you what’s going on and you can then focus on the action on the stage. We really hope this will bring in new audiences for Welsh language theatre.” http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/new-theatre-app-helps-welsh-8698828
ALL-‐PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP on
MODERN LANGUAGES
Chairs: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), Nia Griffith MP (Labour) Vice Chairs: Paul Maynard MP (Conservative), Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Liberal Democrat) 23 February Language firm dreamt up around the dinner table is back in Bolton Debonair currently has about 1,000 interpreters on its books and has ambitions to increase that number by ten times. http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/business/11811115.Language_firm_dreamt_up_around_the_di nner_table_is_back_in_Bolton/
4) Features, research, opinion & interesting articles 19 February The Royal Family and foreign languages - in 60 seconds From Prince William wishing China happy new year in Mandarin, to the Queen speaking confident French with François Hollande, the Royal family often have a stab at languages. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/royalfamilyvideo/11422906/The-Royal-Family-andlanguages-in-60-seconds.html 24 February How foreign language films struggle for UK success The Oscar category for best foreign language film provides a chance for English speakers to catch up with cinema from around the world, such as this year's winner, the Polish film Ida. But is it getting more difficult to persuade us to read subtitles for two hours? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31585429 18 February Reporting open data in Afghanistan: Key challenges Data journalism adviser Eva Constantaras, who runs workshops for local media in developing countries, explains how open data is used in Afghanistan. Constantaras highlighted the language barrier as one of the main challenges journalists in Afghanistan face when working with data. There is a "crazy level of linguistic isolation," she said.
https://www.journalism.co.uk/news/building-‐a-‐reporting-‐community-‐around-‐open-‐data-‐in-‐ afghanistan/s2/a564158/
ALL-‐PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP on
MODERN LANGUAGES
Chairs: Baroness Coussins (Crossbench), Nia Griffith MP (Labour) Vice Chairs: Paul Maynard MP (Conservative), Baroness Sharp of Guildford (Liberal Democrat)
Parliamentary business (18-24 February 2015) Commons debates: None this week
Westminster Hall debates: None this week
Lords debates: None this week
Written answers: 23 February: Access to Work Alison McGovern Shadow Minister (Education): To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Access to Work programme has spent on British Sign Language interpreters to date. Mark Harper Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) (Disabled People): Since st th 1 April 2007 and up to 30 September 2014, the Access to Work programme has spent £150m on British Sign Language interpreters.
23 February: Burma – Ministry of Defense Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench): To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much they plan to spend on providing English language training courses for the Burmese Army. Lord Astor of Hever (Conservative): For 2015 the Ministry of Defence has committed £74,210 for the provision of English Language Training at the Defence Services Academy of Burma.
Written Ministerial statements: None this week
Public Bill committees: None this week
Future business: None this week
