Tag Archives: UIC Languages

British Lagging Behind Europe’s Multilingual Labour Force

Language school UIC Languages is calling for a nationwide effort to get British workers speaking a second language. The push comes after figures reveal that almost a million UK businesses are losing out lost to European competitors because they can’t find enough good quality graduates who speak European languages.

‘Where do you imagine it’s likely the recruitment will be for graduate jobs – a German or French or Italian who speaks English fluently as well as their own language or an English graduate who doesn’t speak anything except English?’ asked a spokesperson for UIC Languages.

Since languages were made non-statutory by the last government in 2004, the number of students taking language GCSEs has been steadily declining – falling from 61 per cent in 2005 to 44 per cent in 2010.

The result, according to the UIC spokesperson, is that: ‘British graduates don’t see the need to bother’ – a fatal mistake in the current economic climate. As well as multilingualism being an aid to business communication and an indicator of a person’s internationalist outlook, ’employers see the ability to learn a second language as good in itself.’

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Language School Encourages Art Appreciation

As part of UIC Languages’ wider commitment to providing students with a cultural education alongside academic studies, staff at the award-winning school have been encouraging students to develop a taste for the fine arts.

The school’s website describes the range of ‘excellent exhibitions’ which have opened in the city during the spring term and encourages their London-based students to ‘take a break from studying English this weekend and enjoy some famous artists’ shows’.

Recommended exhibitions include that of Yayoi Kusama at The Tate Modern. Kusama is a contemporary Japanese artist described by the Tate Modern show’s curator, Frances Morris, as ‘one of the most interesting, arresting and intriguing artists alive today’.

An exhibition of Lucien Freud’s paintings at the National Portrait Gallery is also highly recommended. Freud, who died last year, was one of the most influential and important artists of his generation. The exhibition features 130 works from private collections and museums throughout the world.

For something a little more abstract, Tate Britain’s major new exhibition, Picasso and Modern British Art, will not fail to disappoint. Students can enjoy more than 60 of Picasso’s spectacular artworks, including sublime works such as The Three Dancers and Weeping Woman.

For language students who live outside of London, UIC Languages is still able to provide programmes of teaching. The school’s dedicated network of teachers means that for those hoping to find French courses Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Glasgow are all possible places in which to study.

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UIC Languages: Spanish for Scousers

UIC Languages, one of the UK’s largest modern language teaching operations, is celebrating British language education in 2012 – as well as looking forward to the London Olympics and Paralympics to be held in the city later this year.

During this time, UIC predicts that the number of overseas visitors is likely to stimulate further demand for modern language tuition at its London school and at its other locations around the UK. Overseas visitors are likely to use their stay in the UK to explore the wider educational and business opportunities in the country and to take English courses where they will benefit most from the expert tuition of qualified native English teachers. At the same time, UK businesses will be keen to demonstrate courtesy to overseas visitors by learning something of their language for the benefit of future good relations. Spanish courses are expected to be particularly popular, as Spanish is a popular world language spoken by many Olympic countries.

Of course, it is not just London that will benefit from overseas visitors and a boost in international business. Liverpool has already joined cities like Athens and Madrid in feeling the benefit of its status as a European Capital of Culture. Such recognition has given the city a higher international profile, and better trade links with Europe. The University is now home to international experts studying the effects of regeneration through culture in the city and at the London Olympics. So for Spanish courses Liverpool is a hot destination in 2012.

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Text Lingo: Languages Change, Education Helps

As languages develop and change, students need to learn these innovations but also benefit from learning the foundations as well. Abbreviations used in text messages are becoming more prevalent, so the need for proper education in languages is becoming more important. Text lingo has its detractors, such as journalist John Humphrys, who has said this new way of communicating is ‘wrecking our language.’ The ambiguity of text speak can be illustrated by the abbreviation LOL, which can mean ‘lots of love’ or ‘laugh out loud.’ This is a prime example of how important traditional education is in the fast-paced world of language development.

A good language teacher will be able to combine tried and tested methods with more modern approaches to learning. As well as taking part in classroom learning, students can discover more about how their chosen language is changing by reading contemporary books. The vocabulary and sentence structure can be compared with novels from earlier periods, to understand how the language has developed over the centuries.

As well as reading, foreign language students should watch current TV shows. Thanks to the internet, you don’t even need to be in the country itself to tune in to local programmes. However, by taking classes in the mother country, such as taking English courses in London, you will get a much better feel for how the language is developing by being amongst local people. Schools like UIC London offer a range of English courses as well as European and Asian languages too.

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Beat the January blues with a UIC Languages course

Got the new years blues? Fed up of broken resolutions? Why not try something different this January and learn a new skill to enhance your life? Learning a new language at an evening class or intensive course can open up a new world of opportunity.

Taking a course will get you out of the house and socialising and communicating with new people. You can learn about the culture and history of the country you are studying and start looking at things in new and exciting ways. If you are planning a trip to Europe this summer, what better time to start practising your language skills?

London based school UIC Languages offer courses in many modern foreign languages that start on a regular basis. This January you can start classes in languages such as French and Japanese. Studying is flexible and courses range from one-week intensive classes to weekly classes, usually held in the evenings over a 10-week period. All of the language courses are taught in a similar way where there is the maximum opportunity for students to improve their communication skills.

Learning French is simple with UIC – whether it is for professional reasons or just for pleasure you will find UIC has the experience and the skills to deliver what you need. The school takes a proactive and detailed approach to language learning from initial needs analysis and level testing through to delivery. Group Lessons include a balance of conversation, listening, pronunciation and grammar which will help students survive and communicate in everyday situations in French speaking countries.

Other adult languages on offer include Italian, German, Spanish and Arabic and evening classes can be taken at centres all over the country. Lunchtime courses and classes for all levels from beginner to advanced are available from UIC Languages.

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Travel and Learn with UIC

UIC Languages gives students the unique opportunity to study and sightsee at the same time. Many students that come to London to study also want to experience the cultural history of the city – so, UIC tires to include social outings in its curriculum.

Students enrolled at the institute have the benefit of a great location, from which all of London’s major sightseeing venues can be accessed. In addition, the school’s certified teachers are always on standby to provide information on using the city’s public transport. At UIC, students are encouraged to enjoy their time in London, because this helps to limit the impact of homesickness. When students are sightseeing, they can practise their English and meet new friends – allowing them to enjoy the learning experience.

The school also arranges social outings that students can attend during the semester. Popular winter activities include ice-skating in front of the Natural History Museum and visiting the Christmas lights along Regent and Oxford Streets. During these outings students will mingle with English speakers and learn how to cope in a social setting.

By combining travelling and learning, UIC Languages gives students an opportunity to use their language skills in everyday circumstances. This practical approach to studying ensures that the students see language proficiency as a tool that can be used to make friends and negotiate business dealings.

Modern study methodologies are using the streets as a practical lab for language students. Today, the rules of English are still learnt in the classroom, but it’s out in public where this theory is applied.

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Launch of UIC Languages

Last month, UIC London launched a new service: UIC Languages. The service brings something different to the table for UIC: a professional language training operation aimed at helping businesses and those who want to learn a language to progress their career. All the most important world business languages are covered: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic.

Courses offered by UIC Languages are highly flexible. They can be taught in UIC’s own premises, or the premises or home of the students. Both one-to-one and group options are offered. The minimum course length is 1.5 hours, up to a maximum of ten hours. Beyond that, they can be booked in straight ten-hour blocks.

Before beginning a course, students need to undergo a skills assessment. They take an online test, and are then interviewed (by video-call or in person). Current knowledge is tested by the online test, while the interview aims to establish learning goals. Both generalised and specialised courses are offered, with UIC able to alter the curriculum to fit different industries.

Booking courses with UIC Languages is easy. There is a booking form on their website, which asks potential clients to input details of their preferred type of course, specialisation, location, and length. UIC’s system will provide a quote before booking.

Those who use the UIC Languages service do so because they want a modern, professional language training service which meets their needs. It is a great way for businesses and others who need a bespoke solution to make sure their language course provides exactly what they want it to.

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