I was one of two student ambassadors chosen by the Routes into Languages Programme Team to attend the Follet Report Launch in Westminster, on 21st October.
Along another student ambassador, Mark Edger, from Leeds University, I travelled to London to attend the Ministerial reception. When we arrived at the venue, we met Heather McGuiness, Routes into Languages, Programme Manager and Claire Wilkins, Programme Administrator. They gave us a briefing on the aims for the evening - mainly to talk to as many people as possible about Routes into Languages and to fly the flag for language learning.
During the evening there was a speech from Professor David Eastwood about the need to support stategic but vulnerable subjects. There followed a further speech by David Lammy MP, who spoke more specifically about languages and the reasons why we must encourage young people to take language options.
As ambassadors, we were there to bring to life some of the regional schemes we have been involved in. I was introduced to Sir Brian Follet, author of the report, and I was able to tell him about the projects we run in Nottingham and how much fun it is to be involved. I also talked to Professor Eastwood about our internationally themed Family Language suppers, and what a positive and inspirational experience these are - not just for the children but for their families as well.
I hope I left an impression on some of the decision makers, and that I brought to life what the money they direct into schemes such as Routes is actually doing.
Fiona Hancock
