As part of the Business Language Champions initiative, Liz Athey, Operations Manager at The Translation People recently took part in a Languages Day at Weston Road High School in Stafford.

Weston Road High School, on the eastern edge of Stafford, opened in September 1979 and now provides a comprehensive education to over a thousand 11 to 18 year olds. Amongst its specialist facilities is a language laboratory where students learn French or German from Year 7. The school strives to offer students a broad education in preparation for their transition into the world of work, which is why, on 4th December, they invited a selection of local language experts and businesses to speak to around 120 Year 9 students.

Among the speakers were Liz Athey, Operations Manager at The Translation People, Jonathan Leucci from ABB Limited in Warrington, Kate Wild, a Russian and Ukrainian interpreter from Staffs County Council and Tyron Whittle [Tyron on You-Tube] on  from Burton upon Trent, who has built up a reputation for signing songs for deaf people by bands such as James, Coldplay and the Arctic Monkeys. Some of his work can be seen here .

Liz Athey commented,

“I was delighted to be invited to the Languages Day. It’s vital that schools like Weston Road High School encourage students to continue studying languages to GCSE level and beyond to help address the decline in student numbers in this critical area.”

Julia Moorhouse, head of languages, was delighted with how the morning went and passed on her thanks to all of the business representatives involved:

“The morning went really well and it was great to offer different perspectives on using languages to remind students of the vast range of opportunities on offer if they continue with their language studies.”

 Business Language Champions is a nationwide programme, supported by the Department for Children, Skills and Families (DCSF), which aims to bridge the gap between school and the workplace and increase foreign languages uptake.

Natasha Williams and Liz Athey were invited to speak at the first year celebration event for the National Network for Translation which took place in November at the University of Salford.

Other speakers included Fiona Harris from the Directorate General for Translation at the European Commission, Dr Valeria Henitiuk from the British Centre for Literary Translations and Dr Catherine Greensmith from the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. The event was also used to mark the launch of the Graduate Placement Scheme Portal, the culmination of the Graduate Apprenticeship scheme in which The Translation People played a role on the steering committee.

From left to right Dave Nichols, Jo Clarke, Alan White and Steve Wilde

With the Chinese New Year celebrations in full swing and just days after the UK-China Business summit, The Translation People joined other businesses in the North West to celebrate their business links with the Orient. Go China, organised by UK Trade and Investment North West and sponsored by The Translation People, took place at Haydock racecourse on 5th February 2009.

China is one of the world’s most rapidly growing economies and as the UK’s 11th largest export market many businesses are clearly well aware of the business potential. In 2008 UK exports to China totalled £5bn which equates to an increase of 22 percent over 2007, a figure which is surely set to grow.

As well as an opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year through a fabulous banquet, Go China was also intended to promote and increase business development between the North West of England and China, as well as recognise and celebrate existing Anglo-Chinese business links through The Greater Chinese Business Awards presented on the night.

Among the speakers was Mike Taylor of Liverpool Vision who explained the North West’s and, more specifically, Liverpool’s involvement in World Expo 2010 taking place in Shanghai. Liverpool bid against more than 100 other international cities to win a place at the event and will be exhibiting in the Urban Best Practice pavilion.

Although, primarily, Liverpool’s participation serves to showcase the massive urban regeneration taking place in Liverpool, it will undoubtedly have a positive economic impact as there is the potential for more than 70 million visitors to be exposed to the city’s business, tourism, culture and academic credentials.

Alan White, manager of The Translation People’s Manchester operation, commented: “The Go China Event was a fantastic opportunity to meet clients who deal with China on a daily basis and to discuss how we, as a translation service provider, can better meet the needs of companies in their situation.”

As a language service provider The Translation People can support businesses in the pursuit of new markets and maximise the benefits reaped by facilitating cross-cultural communication. For more information, please visit our Chinese page.

February 2009 saw the launch of The Translation People’s new website. With the help of design agency The Engine Room and website specialists ClickingMad, the site has been redesigned, re-skinned and re-branded in line with our new trademark images. The result is a fresh, modern clean look which clearly directs users to the information they require.

The new website contains new content on all aspects of the translation process and will be updated on a regular basis. The quotation request form has been improved and now takes you through four easy steps to obtaining a free online estimate. In addition, the news and information section now contains a wealth of free information on how to choose a translation supplier and how to build your business overseas.

If you have any suggestions on how we can further improve our website or any topics you would like to see discussed on the site please e-mail gail.owen@thetranslationpeople.com with your comments.