Yet again the British press has a field day reporting how language studies are in terminal decline. This may be part-true, but the proactive approach to languages taken by colleges bucks the trend.
For example, on European languages day on September 26, Portsmouth College’s celebrations included a daytrip tour of Cherbourg, given in French, and European films screened at the college. Aylesbury College held an open day to encourage residents and businesses to enrol, and language students of Barton Peveril College, Eastleigh, taught others some expressions to use on holiday, while the canteen served up European cuisine sans pareil to an international soundtrack.
Let us be celebrate our capabilities, instead of invariably adopting a self-mocking attitude.
Alan Corbett
Association of South East Colleges
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