Welcome

Welcome to the eleventh edition of the RLN London Newsletter – we hope you enjoy it. Why not share this message with colleagues and friends or suggest they sign up?

Best wishes from the team at RLN London for a relaxing break over Christmas and a happy new year. 

Jane Collis, Director - Regional Language Network London.

How worldwide is your website?

Of the 1.6 billion internet users today worldwide, more than half use languages that have scripts that are not Latin-based - and 'net regulator Icann is finalising plans to introduce web addresses where domain names can be written in Chinese, Arabic and other scripts.

Are you really talking your customers' language online?  Foreign language keywords, overseas domains and the right images can all make a difference. Try our website localisation guide for tips and advice on optimising your international web presence, search for a localisation expert using the Service Finder or get advice from an Export Communications Review consultant.

In the news

London Business Language Champions recognised
In a glitzy Business Language Champions celebration event on 30 November, HSBC won the national award for outstanding commitment, with British Airways highly commended. Hotel La Place general manager Hal Jaffer was also highly commended as an Ambassador.  RLN London sends its congratulations to award recipients.

New Welcoming the World Netherlands profile
Did you know that the Dutch greet close friends with three kisses?  Or that Frisian is spoken in north of the country?  Get the cultural low-down with our new Welcoming the World profile of the Netherlands produced by students of Inholland University. 

Promoting languages in the media
A Podium Skills London event promoting multilingualism in the media brought together 35 students from London colleges on 25 November.  Attendees heard from international sport correspondent Andy Brassell and RLN London, got a taste of Chinese and Arabic, and made a short video for the London 2012 category of the 'LAFTAs' – Language and Film Talent Awards. 

New film promoting languages  
Produced by Capital L and RLN London to show school students just how valuable languages are for their career, ‘The Real World of Languages’ features BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall as well as award-winning language champions Hotel La Place and British Airways.

Languages meet sport
RLN London’s Jane Collis spoke about the 2012 Games as a catalyst for language learning at the inaugural European conference on languages and intercultural dialogue through sport at Trieste on 16 and 17 October - where London and the UK were well represented among speakers from eighteen countries. 

CBI and Worton: UK needs more languages graduates
A recent CBI report makes the business case for language study at university: "by developing language skills ... UK graduates will be able to compete on an even playing field with those of Continental Europe and beyond."  Facing declining student numbers, the Worton Review calls on universities to promote the subject together with others in the languages community.

Upcoming events

Brazil: business and culture - 14 January 2010, London Bridge Hotel
This cultural training workshop organised by UK Trade & Investment will help you to understand Brazilian values and attitudes, negotiate successfully and build successful business relationships.

RLN London project reaches its culmination

The RLN London project will close on 31 March 2010 – and between now and then we will be working closely with key partners to preserve for the future the key products and services we have developed over recent years.  With the Games ever nearer on the horizon, we hope to ensure that language skills and cultural knowledge continue to be seen by London businesses and residents alike as an essential ingredient for success. 

About RLN London

Read about what Regional Language Network London does in thirteen different languages.