There Are Two Effective Ways to Integrate Careers Into Learning Languages. If Students

There are two effective ways to integrate careers into Learning Languages. If students are to make real connections to careers and Learning Languages skills, English is an appropriate medium. However, if you are using careers as a context for communication, the use of the target language is appropriate.

• Invite guest speakers to class to talk about how the Learning Languages skills helped them to succeed in their chosen field. {English medium}
• Inquiry into and report on a range of careers in which knowledge of other languages assist in communicating in local and global settings. {English or TL medium}
• Design an online survey for people in various careers to identify the knowledge, skills & attitudes that equipped them for living in a world of diverse people. {English medium} and present the findings in the target language
• Investigate and report on careers in which knowledge of other languages is an essential tool that assists communication. {English medium}
• Make a list of skills required for self employment, entrepreneurship, work-style alternatives (e.g.,contract work, job sharing,“flex-time” arrangements, telecommuting) and identify which ones suit the students’ interest. {English or TL medium}
• use career themes (equal rights in the workforce, health & safety) in oral and written work as particular topics are explored and new language is learned. {TL}

• put up copies of posters in classrooms and corridors. Enlarge and laminate as required

Career Services resources: Options posters, ‘Skills you’ll learn in …’ sheets and Jobs by Interest sheets (in the Career Kete) {English or TL medium}

• create posters of key careers words and their translations over specific language areas{TL}

• practice ‘cold calling’ for job prospects or leaving answer phone messages {TL}

• compile a list of career-focused questions (and answers) that can be used at the end of a lesson in language areas, for example: Who uses the skills we have been practising today in their job?

Solving problems with foreign tourists:visitor information helpdesk

Planning and organizing:bilingual/multi-lingual promotions officer, etc

Presenting and performing:radio announcer, actor, Airline Steward, etc

Analysing information: researcher, translators, etc

• organise a ‘careers in languages week’ during which every language department includes an explicit focus on careers in its programme{TL medium}

• run poster/badge competitions in different languages with careers as the topic{TL medium}

• arrange sessions for students on language immersion camps in which they explore how their subjects relate to careers{English or TL medium}

• provide quiz resources, careers worksheets, website activities, etc based around language-relevant careers{English or TL medium}

• produce expressive or personal writing about career experiences, such as work experience or workplace visits. {TL medium}

• present a role play, a video, an audiotape, or a computer-projected display about working in an occupation described in a Languages text the students have read, heard, or viewed. {TL medium}
• Create a careers brochure which included skills, aptitudes, education requirements, pay scale, international job opportunities. {TL medium}
• Create a visual of job interview do’s & don’ts i.e. dress formally, don’t chew gum{TL medium}
• Complete forms by marking check boxes, recording numerical information or entering words, phrases, sentences or text of a paragraph or more. {TL medium}
• Give students the opportunity to manage their groups by appointing a ‘supervisor’ role and students feedback on the skills need to be an effective supervisor. {English medium}
• Use the yellow pages to find business in the area and list the skills required. {English or TL medium}
• ACTIVITY: Using Jobs by Interest. Students work in groups of three or four. Each group works in a different interest area to identify the jobs in that area which might involve the use of the particular language. {English or TL medium}
• ACTIVITY: Using KiwiCards. Choose from the suggested activities, in particular ‘A Day in the life of … ’, ‘Location, location, location’, and ‘Linking Subjects to Jobs’ (adapt to the particular subject area). Could be used in any language area, and at any level as a starter for conversations on identity. {English or TL medium}
• ACTIVITY: Using KiwiCards. Create a research topic to identify appropriate language levels in different occupations, and possible specialist career vocabulary{English or TL medium}