Thirty year 9 students from West Bromwich Collegiate Academy took part in a careers-focused visit to Keele University, aimed at highlighting opportunities linked to studying languages and international cultural exchange. The visit was delivered in partnership with the Goethe-Institut.
During the day, students attended workshops and talks focused on language learning and future career pathways. The programme also included a themed quiz and careers fair hosted in Keele Hall, where students explored how German language skills can lead to opportunities in international study, employment and cultural exchange.
School Vice Principal, Hannah Percival, said: “Collaborative experiences with organisations like the Goethe-Institut and Keele University play an important role in broadening our students’ horizons and shifting how they see their own potential. Being on a university campus, speaking with people who use languages in their careers and seeing the range of opportunities available makes those possibilities feel far more tangible than just hearing about it in their classrooms.
“Experiences like this help to raise expectations and ambition, particularly for students who may not yet picture themselves in higher education or international careers. They often prove to be the moments that stay with students and influence the choices they begin to make about their future pathways.”
The Goethe-Institut is Germany’s cultural institute operating worldwide, with a network of 154 branches across 100 countries and a further 12 institutes in Germany. Established in 1952, it promotes the teaching and learning of German and supports international cultural exchange, education and dialogue. It works with more than 100,000 schools globally and enables around one million people each year to take German examinations through its institutes and partner organisations.
Founded in 1949, Keele University was established with a pioneering vision to educate graduates with both specialist knowledge and a strong understanding of wider social and global issues. Today, it is home to more than 15,000 students and a global alumni network of over 100,000 people working across 120 countries. The university’s research spans areas including global health, climate change and sustainable energy, with 80% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.
The visit formed part of West Bromwich Collegiate Academy’s wider careers education provision, supporting students to understand the relevance of languages in an increasingly globalised world.
