Blairgowrie High School: How Learning Languages Opens Career Doors

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At Blairgowrie High School, Mrs. Sylvia Hathaway recently organised an online event to help students understand the value of learning languages for future career opportunities. The virtual event connected students with four speakers who shared their experiences of using languages in their careers. Two speakers joined from Scotland, and two from London, offering a range of perspectives on how language skills can enhance career prospects.

How the Event Worked

The speakers discussed their own language-learning journeys and explained how they have applied their language skills in the workplace. After the presentations, students had the chance to ask questions that they had previously prepared, and the speakers took turns answering based on their expertise.

Key Takeaways from the Event

Through this event, students gained a clearer understanding of how languages can broaden job opportunities and open doors to exciting travel experiences. One of the most impactful lessons was the realisation that learning languages can be a significant advantage in the job market. One speaker shared their regret at not having studied languages at school, highlighting how this had impacted their career trajectory. Another speaker, who had learned languages later in life, encouraged students to invest time in learning languages now to benefit their future selves.

The event also showed students that language learning is not a race—everyone learns at their own pace, and the important thing is to stick with it. Many students left the event feeling motivated to continue their language studies, with some even expressing a desire to keep pursuing Spanish, inspired by the real-world applications shared during the session.

Mrs. Hathaway reflected on the success of the event, noting that technology allowed them to connect with speakers from a variety of locations, including London, Edinburgh, and Perth. 

She appreciated the support provided by F4S in helping set up the event, finding the right speakers, and addressing any queries. According to Mrs. Hathaway, the students gained a lot from the event, and many expressed interest in hearing from additional speakers in the future.

Career Education Standard “I Can” Statements

The event aligned with several Career Education Standard “I Can” Statements, including:

  • “I can discuss the relevance of skills to the wider world and make connections between skills and the world of work.”
  • “I can explain to others my ambitions/what I would like to do and look for ways to achieve them/that.”
  • “I can recognise the skills I have and need for work.”
  • “I can identify people in my network who help me broaden my horizons.”

Student Reactions

The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a newfound motivation to continue their language studies. Some of the comments included:

“Motivated to continue with languages”

“Makes me want to keep doing Spanish”

“I learned how languages are largely used across jobs and can even help you get a job.”

This event demonstrates the significant impact that F4S encounters can have in inspiring students to think about their future career paths and the skills they need to develop to succeed. For Blairgowrie High School, this was just one of many steps in helping students make informed decisions about their futures.

If you’re a teacher interested in organising a similar event, F4S is a valuable resource to connect your students with business leaders who can offer insights and advice that will inspire them to pursue their goals.

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