• Welsh

Airport gives language lessons to local school

Published: 14 July 2010

17 pupils from Bryn Hafren Comprehensive School earned a place on a tour of Cardiff Airport in July as part of an on going project between the airport and the local school.

The visit was part of a scheme called "Business Language Champions" established by CILT Cymru which aims to encourage pupils to study modern foreign languages at GCSE level and above. The scheme was set up in response to the decline in the availability and level of language skills in the UK.

The project also encourages companies to actively engage in partnerships with a focus on language learning, with businesses asked to share their experiences with school pupils to give a taste of how speaking a foreign language is beneficial in business.

Multilingual representatives from the airport visited the school to discuss the benefits of speaking different languages in the aviation industry. The pupils were also asked to critique the airport's website and present their ideas.

The winning groups, chosen by the airport, were taken on a tour which included a visit to the air traffic control tower, a demonstration of check-in procedures, a visit to the fire station and an insight in to delivering customer services at the airport.

Cassie Houghton, Cardiff Airport's Marketing and PR Manager commented: "We've been involved in this scheme for a number of years and once again we were impressed with the enthusiasm and high standards shown by the students towards the task set.

This visit marked the end of the project for another year but we hope to continue the relationship with Bryn Hafren and CILT Cymru in future to demonstrate to young people in our local community the importance of speaking different languages and how it can be an advantage in the workplace."

Danielle Perry, a modern foreign languages teacher at Bryn Hafren added: "Our year 9 pupils really enjoyed this project and were keen to visit Cardiff Airport, and pupils were able to see first-hand the benefits of studying languages. 

The project has had a positive impact again this year with over 100 pupils choosing to study a modern foreign language at GCSE level next year. The MFL team at Bryn Hafren look forward to working with Cardiff Airport again in future."

Bethan Enticott from CILT Cymru added: "CILT Cymru is delighted that the partnership between Cardiff Airport is going from strength to strength.

From spending time myself with the pupils involved it is clear that the project thoroughly engages the students. The partnership has proved invaluable in demonstrating to the students the real advantages of languages for the context of work and business."