Lecturers in the Department of Modern Languages have worked with the Department for Business and Trade to develop the Global Enterprise Project. This second-year module for Modern Languages students teaches them the fundamentals of international enterprise and consultancy planning within the context of their degree.
The programme was developed in partnership with experts from the Department for Business and Trade in order to better prepare students with the workplace skills needed for a career in the international marketplace.
Commenting on the module, Professor Elaine Fulton, Director of Education for the College of Arts and Law said: “The module was initially introduced to equip Modern Languages graduates with workplace skills alongside linguistic fluency and enhanced cultural awareness. It has since become a flagship module for the College of Arts and Law as an outstanding example of a ‘challenge’ based module, as well as collaborative working with DBT in the Midlands, a valued external partner.”
In groups, students are given real-word business challenges facing international exporters. Through practical workshops, they are given the requisite knowledge to develop strategies to overcome those challenges.
Now in its fourth year, the module has had over 100 students complete the project. Modern Languages with Business Management student Venus Egonu reflected on the module, saying: "The Global Enterprise Project module has broadened my career interests and helped me develop a better understanding of what I'd like to do in the future. The project helped immensely with my critical thinking and presentation skills."
Professor Emma Tyler, Head of School of Language, Culture, Art History and Music, said: “The Global Enterprise Project module is an outstanding example of meaningful collaboration between the Department of Modern Languages, the University's Careers Network and our external partner, the Department for Business and Trade. Its innovative content allows students to apply their language skills and cultural fluency in real-life contexts, developing valuable skills for their professional lives after university. It reflects our College’s commitment to employability in all our courses”.
