Leading businessman Roland Rudd has launched a campaign calling for greater recognition of the importance of language skills to the UK’s economy and employment at a languages college in Harlesden.

The Languages Work Pledge is an online nationwide campaign being run by CILT, the National Centre for Languages. Businesses and individuals are being asked to sign up to highlight the benefits of language learning. It was launched at The Convent of Jesus and Mary, an outstanding language college in Crownhill Road, in Willesden.

Launching the Campaign, Roland Rudd, the founder of Finsbury, a leading global financial communications group, said: “British businesses will not remain competitive unless we can communicate effectively and interact with customers and partners around the world. The ability to speak a foreign language enriches us as individuals and brings huge commercial benefits to employers. We can not afford to be complacent, such skills are vital to the continued success of British business and the United Kingdom’s influence on the world stage.”

The pledge comes as language learning in schools is on the decline with the numbers taking a language at GCSE dropped for the ninth year running and French dropped out of the top 10 of GCSE subjects for the first time anyone can remember.

But pupils at the schools are very keen on studying languages.  Nicole Caetano, 13, speaks Portuguese and is studying A levels in French and Italian. She plans to study Business Management with French at University and says: “Languages will allow me to work in international companies.”

During a pilot period of only six weeks the Pledge attracted almost 500 signatures including support from HSBC, Arsenal football club and England rugby international Jonny Wilkinson. It’s hoped the official launch will see many more sign ups.

Michelle Brassell, CILT’s Employment Engagement Adviser, said: “It is encouraging to see so many youngsters interested in languages – there are over 35 different languages spoken at the school and students are really benefiting from the encouragement they get from staff at the school. Signing the Languages Work Pledge is a simple and practical way to ensure that the importance of languages and intercultural skills to business and education is kept high on the government’s agenda”.