Why study languages?

This is a collection of PowerPoint presentations and video clips that are intended to be used as a promotional tool for encouraging young learners to continue their language learning at school and beyond.

Part one: Why study languages?

Hear some of the really good reasons why learning a language is worth it and take the language quiz.

First download the PowerPoint presentation files to a convenient place on your computer. You will also need to download the following video clip files (.wmv) to the same folder as the presentation (Right click the links below and choose 'Save As...')

Video clips:

Part two: Routes into Higher Education

Find out about all the exciting and varied ways that you can study a language at university.

Part three: What students say (video clips)

Hear directly from university and Year 12 students about how much their language learning experiences have meant to them.

University students

Study languages at university... and look at the opportunities on offer
You can do a joint degree	It’s a fun	Pick up incredible new skills	Get closer to other parts of the world	Develop a broad range of abilities	Get some presentation skills
Learn to work in a team	Want to know about linguistics?	Make your degree suitable for you	What’s it like being a first year?	Enjoy studying literature	Learn an entire new language at uni

Get to do the ultimate gap year abroad... on a languages degree
Have fun and new experiences	I used to be shy	Get to travel to nice places	Enjoy an amazing experience	Gain a sense of independence	Best year of my life so far
Put what you learn into practice	Live in a different culture

Employability: Give yourself the edge...
I’ve got a lot of options	You’ll be an effective communicator	A language is a big advantage	It’s a vocational skill	Want to be a well-rounded student?	Improve your chances

Not sure about whether to do a language at GCSE...?
It gives you many opportunities for later on	It opens up another world	GCSE gives you the building blocks	It’s nice not to be ignorant	Open yourself up to culture	Get a language on your CV
Things are going to be easier for you	It’s good to be bilingual	It’s so important in today’s world

Year 12 students

Broaden your horizons
Broaden your horizons	Learn stuff you had no idea about	Find out what’s different about other countries	Enjoy learning something new	Discover a new culture	Get a better insight	Dive into another culture

Get ahead
Get ahead of the competition	If you want to move abroad, languages are vital	Show that you can learn independently	Apply what you know

Make things easier for yourself
Make things easier for yourself	A language fits well with other subjects	Languages get better

Help

Please see the help page if you have any problems viewing the PowerPoint presentations or the video clips.

Notes for teachers are also available on this website.