Year 8 students were treated to a fascinating and inspiring talk this week from David Binns of MFL Insights on the importance of languages in today’s global world. Drawing on his own experiences in business, the military and international recruitment, David challenged the idea that English alone is enough for future careers in today's AI world

Students heard how language skills are increasingly valued across a huge range of industries, including STEM, aviation, engineering, marketing, technology and the armed forces. David explained that multinational companies moving into Yorkshire are actively seeking employees with French, Spanish and German, while major international employers such as Ubisoft, BP, Allianz, Volvo and M&S all place importance on multilingual staff.

One of the most memorable messages from the talk was David’s comparison of language learning to “a cheat code in a computer game”, helping applicants stand out in an increasingly competitive jobs market. He shared examples of apprenticeships and marketing roles where candidates with language qualifications were prioritised over hundreds of other applicants. Students were particularly surprised to hear that the UK loses an estimated £48 billion in trade every year due to a lack of language skills. David also highlighted the wider personal benefits of studying languages, explaining how they improve communication, confidence and cultural understanding. Stories about Premier League footballers, RAF drone pilots and global entrepreneurs demonstrated that languages can open doors in unexpected ways.

The talk was a powerful reminder that languages are not just useful for becoming a teacher or translator, but are an “eternal qualification” that can benefit students in whatever career path they choose. Thank you David - you are inspirational each year for our pupils and we greatly appreciate your time and efforts in spreading the message of the importance of languages for the future!