Employment and economic development

The contribution of language education

Michael KellyBelgrade13 November 2012

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700 reasons for learning and teaching languages

• Citizenship and democracy

• Social inclusion and identity

• Personal development and values

• International understanding, war and peace

• Employment and economic development (Jobs and growth)

3

Employment

Languages as an asset for the individual

• Increase range of jobs for which you can apply

• Increase the number of places you can work

• Improve career progression

4

Employment

Languages bring key skills

• Cognitive range (creative, critical)

• Communication

• Intercultural competence

• Human relations

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Economic development

Languages as an asset to countries and enterprises

• Improve understanding of opportunities globally

• Increase the number of markets that can be accessed for import or export

• Establish better relations with partners and suppliers

• Provide better service to customers

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Lesson for language educators

Benefits of languages are not always understood

• More effort is needed to improve public understanding

• More cooperation is needed with employers

Economic benefits of languages are not automatic

• Language courses need to include wider skills more consistently

• Language courses need to make benefits explicit