Project Evaluation
Outputs
Outcomes
New partnerships
New ideas
Business Opportunities
Project Feedback
Outputs
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48 market research interviews
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58 hours of language and cultural awareness training
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9 short courses
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168 training places taken up
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52 volunteers engaged
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One website developed
Outcomes
A number of positive outcomes were achieved by the project in particular
raising awareness of the need for cultural awareness and language
skills. We were very heartened by the positive reception that the
project received from all sectors of the community.
The project was able to draw upon the partnerships and links with
business and education that the RLN SW had already established in
the area during the previous three years. In addition we were pleased
to work with Go-Skills and with community organisations.Our project
partners included representatives from business, education, the community
and private sector. At some events, they worked together to achieve
outstanding results. More details of our partners can be found on
the Who we work with page.
The project generated enormous enthusiasm. Some learners have asked
for (including public transport drivers) has requested additional language
learning in future courses.
Informal tutors and volunteers - including native speakers - assisted
in demonstrating aspects of culture while working alongside a trained
tutor. Their involvement facilitated meeting with increased numbers
of local people and opportunities to explain more about their culture.
We are convinced about the value of this type of work and the approaches
used to deliver training. We believe that this format could be rolled
out across the South West region and become part of the legacy for
the region from holding a part of the Olympic Games.
Training in languages and cultural awareness can provide transferable
skills for the regional economy. The courses developed in this project
could be used to fill skills gaps identified in retail, hospitality,
transport and sport. In addition the courses can be adapted to support
international trade and in-bound tourism.
New partnerships
A number of new partnerships were developed in order to make this
project run successfully while existing partnerships enabled the brokering
of new opportunities. Some of the spin-off activities have been:
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Linking Paragon ITE Training with a training company in Normandy.
They have placed 5 French commercial students with local companies
in Dorset
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A local company on Portland, DEK, has decided to organise Mandarin
lessons for staff, using tutors and volunteers sourced by RLN
SW
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Cooknell Electronics has registered to sponsor a special interest
group in French, and would like French lessons for staff
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Special interest groups established - including German - with clear benefits for business, the community and education.
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A Tai Chi instructor used at one session will train students
at Budmouth School, as part of their newly formed China club
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Weymouth International Language Link will be providing Polish
tuition to a local public sector organisation.
New ideas
The project has also acted as a catalyst for new ideas with partners
including:
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Community projects, eg International student film festival, murals
in Weymouth Esplanade subway with greetings in many languages
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Tourism projects, including a podcast in German about the Jurassic
Coast
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Awareness raising activities, eg, a monthly insert in the Dorset
Echo about different languages and cultures, welcome posters
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Community and public safety work, eg, linking with the StreetSafe
DrinkSafe campaign promoted by the local police to train staff
in local pubs and clubs in culture and language.
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Tour guide training (possibly badged by the local council); community interpreter training and teaching assistant courses for volunteer development.
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The local volunteer centres in Dorcehster and Weymouth wish to collaborate with the RLN SW to provide infrastructure, training and opportunities to volunteers with language and cultural skills.
Business opportunities
Market research and feedback from volunteers identified some business
opportunities
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Tour Guide training, accredited or badged by the local council
or a tourist association
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Community interpreter training
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Volunteer training for community events like twinning, festivals
and Sailing Academy events
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SMEs needing particular language skills, but only for short periods
of time
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Volunteer assistant training, to help in language classes for
adults and schools.
Project Feedback
Some comments received on feedback forms after the training sessions:
"I will use the knowledge to understand visitors to the town"
"I now know how to prepare Muslim food" - Catering apprentices
"It would be good to have more of these cultural awareness
events for other cultures"
"I liked the first hand account and presentation by person from
specific cultural/ religious background." - SME employees
from shop assistant to hospitality manager
"It is clear there is a genuine interest" - "well
worth holding courses" - Training providers
Most frequent requests received were for more training in language
phrases; etiquette; how to
communicate effectively and clearly and cultural differences
Project Feedback - Further information available to download:
Cultural Briefing for
Frontline Tourism Staff: Feedback Summary ( 29th April 2007) -
63kb
Cultural
Briefing for Frontline Tourism Staff: Individual Learning Plan - form
for participants ( 29th April 2007) - 63kb
What
a volunteer interpreter said about the Douzelage Conference assignment
- 29kb
Recommendations:
Click here for the recommendations arising from this project.
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