British employers want job applicants to speak another language

Just a quick update to let you know about a great story we saw in London's Evening Standard newspaper last week. A recent poll of British employers has found that after IT, knowing another language is the most desirable skill for job applicants.

The poll was carried out by the National Centre for Languages (CILT) and the Try Life in Another Language campaign.

With more and more businesses operating globally, speaking another language can give you the edge in the competitive job market. Language graduates may also earn more than those with degrees in maths, engineering or science, as well as having more opportunities to travel with your job.

For more advice about job prospects, visit the Direct Gov Careers Advice website.

Despite the attitude that you sometimes find in the UK that 'everyone speaks English', actually only 6% of the global population have English as their first language. Considering many overseas students speak two or even three languages, this could start to have a negative affect on the job prospects of UK students.

Did you know?
German is spoken in 43 countries and is the most widely spoken language in the EU.
Spanish is spoken in 44 countries and is the most widely spoken language worldwide.
But Chinese Mandarin still tops the poll as the most spoken language in the world. Other languages in high demand by employers include French, Italian, Arabic and Russian.

Try a new language for yourself
Many of us haven't studied a language since school, but it's never too late to update your skills. In this article, the writer Will Self talks about the French lessons he’s been taking, and how it has helped him get much more out of trips to France.

You can try a language for the first time with one of IH London's Survival evening courses. Take lessons one or two evenings a week for five weeks and learn the basic words and phrases for simple conversations. You can learn Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish.

Try one of our General courses if you want to improve your existing language skills. We offer beginner through to advanced level courses so you can pick the right level for your ability.
Next courses start week commencing 12 April 2010.

FREE Beginners' Language Taster Lessons!

Come and find out what it's like to learn a language over a glass of wine!

Join IH London on Monday 29 March from 6.30 - 8.30pm for a FREE taster class in Arabic , Chinese Mandarin , German or Spanish . Find out more about studying a language at IH London, take a tour of the school, and enjoy a free lesson by one of our brilliant teachers.

Registration is essential and there are only a few days left to do it!

Book your place at the taster evening

Felicity's Lower Intermediate A class introduce themselves to the world...................Part 2

Sam (Yuan Zhigang)
My name is Sam, I'm from Xi'an in the Northwest of China.

I live in London now with my wife. She's been working here for a long time. If I want to live here with her, I need to speak very good English. So, I need to go to school and learn English. I want to speak English as well as I speak Chinese. But I can never remember new words, it's very difficult for me. Even though English is difficult for me I'm not going to stop studying it, because I really like this country.

Soobin Kim
Hi. My name is Soobin Kim. I come from South Korea. I'm 18 years old.

I arrived in London 3 months ago. I want to study English because I want to study fashion in London. I'm going to go to university in London.

My hobbies are listening to music and drawing. I hate the weather in London. However, I love London because I can go to a lot of museums and galleries and it's quite romantic! I really want to work here so I'm going to stay in London for about 5 years.

Jeff (Park Jungmin)
My name is Jeff. I'm from South Korea and I was born in Busan in 1982.

I work for a ship building company, I'm an office worker. I came to London because I need to speak good English at work. I've been living in London for 3 months. This is my first time in London.

There are 4 members in my family, (my father, my mother, my younger brother and me).

My hobbies are listening to music and doing exercise. When I was young, I did "Taekwondo" but I hurt my knee during a Taekwondo match, so I stopped. My ambition is to start my own company, so I'm studying English and business.

Tomoko Kawashima
Hi, my name is TOMOKO. I'm from Japan.

I lived in TOKYO for about 7 years. When I lived in Japan, my hobby was Yoga. I went to Yoga three times a week after work. Yoga made me very relaxed and healthy. I'm going to do Yoga in London, too.

I've come to London to study English. I'm going to stay here for about 2 years

Mong (Mengyuan Hsieh)
My surname is Mong. I come from Taichung city in the middle of Taiwan.

In Taiwan I studied Industrial Engineering Management. At the moment I am learning English in London because I'd like to do a Masters in the UK, so first I need to pass my IELTS exam.

Khaled Iyead
I am Khaled, I am from Saudi Arabia. I am 25 years old. I have five siblings, two sisters and three brothers.

I am studying English in London because in the future I would like to go to university. I like a lot of things, for example, I enjoy riding jet skies and I'm keen on watching football matches .

Dema Al Sidran
My name is Deema I am 23 years old. I graduated from King Saud University.

I come from a large family. I have three brothers and three sisters, I'm the oldest. I enjoy sport, shopping and reading. I am keen on fashion and I like watching movies.

I miss my family, especially my little brother Mushal. I want to go back to Saudi Arabia and see my family as soon as I can, but I'm having fun in London and I'm trying to improve my English.

Abeer Bugshan
My name is Abeer. I am from Saudi Arabia, my hometown is Jeddah. I am 25 years old and I live in London with my husband and my two children. I like watching TV, going shopping and also I like hanging out with my friends. I'm keen on Saudi, Italian and Chinese food.

I am a student at International House. I study English from Monday to Friday for about five hours a day because I went to improve my English and I want to get a masters in psychology.

Felicity's Lower Intermediate A class introduce themselves to the world................Part 1

Daniela Maggi
My name is Daniela and I live in Milan. I studied law at University and now I'm working as a trainee lawyer in a law firm. But I'd like to change that.

I came to London because I want to improve my English and to find a new job in Milan.

Benedetta Bonfigli
My name is Benedetta and I`m 20 years old. I come from Florence, in Italy, where I`m studying History of Art at University.

I arrived in London three weeks ago and I`m studying English because I think that learning English is very important for my future.

Sonia Martinez
My name is Sonia and I'm 21 years old. I'm from Valencia, in Spain. My hobbies are fashion, dancing and going out with my friends.

I'm studying English because I think that it's very important and I decided go to London because personally i think it's the most beautiful city in Europe.

Yuki Nagahama
My name is Yuki Nagahama. I'm 29years old. I come from Japan and I arrived in London three weeks ago. This is my first visit to London and to Europe. I want to visit lots of European countries.

My hobbies are playing and watching football and skiing. I have played football for 14 years and have skied for about 24 years. I want to play football in London. In conclusion, I only came to London three weeks ago. But I love London!!

Vincenzo Barbiero
My name is Vincenzo, I'm 23 and I live in Milan. I graduated in Business Administration and actually I'm enrolled in a Masters of Science in Accounting, Corporate finance and Control.

I have come to London to improve my English because, to start my career in the finance sector, it's mandatory to have a good level of English. Furthermore, in the near future I hope to find a job in a consulting company where good English is needed due to the large number of business trips.

To be continued.......................

The exciting tale of Felicity and her Lower-Intermediate English Class

It all started one cold, wet morning in London. After the sad departure of Lucy, a much loved teacher at IH London, someone was needed to fill her shoes. It was a difficult decision because Lucy wasn't just an ordinary teacher, she was extraordinary!

Finally, the decision was made. The teacher chosen to take over from Lucy was...................

FELICITY (that's me by the way)

Oh, and my class of course! They are a wonderful, exciting, talented, fun-loving bunch of students studying Lower-Intermediate English.
They will be introducing themselves to you via this blog soon. I hope you will welcome them with open arms and let them know what you think of their contributions.

I can't wait for you to meet them.
Take care

Felicity

Get ready for university

IH London's University Foundation Programme (UFP) gives you the skills you need to join a degree course at a British University. The course take a year - or six months if you decide to study intensively - and is a practical alternative to A-levels which normally take two years.

The course is challenging and rewarding, as well as being a great opportunity to make new friends and experience life in London.

Here's what some of our UFP students have said:

"I liked the flexible way of learning and made really fast progress as a result. I also met some great people at IH London who I'm still friends with."
Salem Ali Al Noaimi

"International House turned out to be more than a school, it was my family in U.K while the academic standards were high and we were taught by PhD holders, the life lessons were invaluable and created a turning point in my life."

Taban Panahi

For more information drop into reception and ask for information on the UFP, or visit our website.

FREE Language Taster Lessons!

IH London is pleased to announce that it is hosting a FREE language taster evening! Whether you're already a student here or just thinking about studying, why not enjoy a glass of wine and some nibbles whilst trying a brand new language? On Monday 29 March from 6.30 - 8.30pm we'll have taster classes in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, German and Spanish.

Tell your friends and come along!

This is a free event but places are limited so please register online to make sure you get a place. I look forward to meeting you!

Recipe of the Month - an easy one!

Hi there - I'm Mat and I work in the Sales and Marketing Department at IH London. I've been here for quite some time, 11 years! and in that time I have clocked up quite a few air miles visiting countries and promoting the school.

There is far more to learning about a culture than studying its language. As I enjoy cooking and get to travel regularly to all sorts of places, I often like to entertain my friends and have themed events where I cook a particular country's food.

I had the opportunity to interview one of our Arabic teachers some years ago and this led me to looking into the food that is eaten in some Arabic speaking countries. The other weekend I entertained 9 friends to a Moroccan Day. Apart from turning my dining room into a tent and filling it with north African lamps and cushions, I had to prepare an array of meals from Hummus and breads, to Lamb and Apricot Tagines.

The great thing about studying in a large city like London, is that you can buy almost any ingredients in the capital. A great time was had by all, but more importantly, this is an excellent way to explore the language and culture of other nationalities and have fun whilst doing it.

My next event is going to be Japanese as I travel there in April – but you could easily do any nationality – even English!

If you fancy "having a bash" (having a go) at making Hummus – its really easy and delicious

(recipe for 4 people)

• 200g/7oz canned chickpeas
• 2 tbsp lemon juice or more
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp water
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika or Cayenne pepper

Put all ingredients (except paprika or Cayenne) into a food processor and blend until smooth. Put into a bowl and sprinkle with cayenne or paprika and a little olive oil – grab a pita bread and enjoy!

Cultural events in London this March

March has started in style with two beautiful sunny days that feel like the beginning of Spring. With the evenings becoming lighter and longer, it's the perfect time to get involved with the huge variety of cultural and foreign language events happening every day in London.

If you're not sure where to begin, have a look at IH London's cultural events guide. Every month, our dedicated Modern Languages Social Programme Co-ordinator puts together this useful guide to help you get the most out of learning a language or experiencing another culture.

Highlights this month include Moliere’s The Misanthrope starring Keira Knightly; Europe's largest Taiwanese film festival; wine tasting evenings at the Institute Français; a photography exhibition by Iraqi, Syrian and Palestinian teenagers (ends tomorrow!); and the sensational Cuban dance show Havana Rakatan at Sadler's Wells' theatre.

Meanwhile, we will be welcoming the Year of the Tiger in school with a talk and demonstration on the Art of Chinese Calligraphy at 6.30pm on Friday 5 February. Over a glass of wine, Mr Kam-sang Law - a master of Chinese Calligraphy - will introduce us to the 3,000 year old art form, with an opportunity for us to have a go at the end! Please email paula.fitzgerald@ihlondon.com if you would like to come.

If you hear of any more exciting cultural events in London, please let us know and share with other blog readers!