The document discusses embedding employability skills into language modules at Regent's University London. It presents a developmental model for building communication and subject skills throughout a student's degree to enhance their employability. In the first year, modules focus on basic skills like self-awareness, teamwork, and digital literacy. In the second year, students build on these with skills like research, problem solving, and commercial awareness. The third year includes a study abroad experience to develop intercultural competence, negotiation skills, and confidence. The goal is to help students showcase transferable skills to employers beyond their academic qualifications.

1. ‘Your CV is only the tip of the iceberg’:
Embedding employability in language
modules at Regent’s University London
Amparo Lallana, Olga Helly and Victoria Pastor-González,
Regent’s University London

2. “Academic qualifications will help you progress but
won’t get you far on their own.”
“If students seeking employment can display innate
capacities for work — communication and leadership
skills, analytical thinking and problem solving — they
may be able to gain employment in environments that
will then provide the training they need to become
capable in relevant jobs.” (Pozniak, 2013)
C. O’Reilly, business psychology consultant at Kenexa, global HR consultancy.

3. • BA International Business:
– 1 / 2 languages, study abroad, work experience
• No ‘one size fits all’ (Yorke & Knight, 2006)
• Stand-alone element vs. embedded throughout
– take time to develop (Yorke & Knight, 2006)
– together with actual subject content (Daly, 2013)
• ‘ahead of the curve’ (Muenger, 2015)

4. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
CV writing skills
interview skills
{self-motivation & awareness}
{leadership}
{working under pressure}
{perseverance}
{commercial awareness}
{confidence}
{organization}
{negotiation & persuasion}
{team work}
{research skills}
{problem solving}
{digital literacy}

5. year 3
study
abroad
year 2year 1
COMMUNICATION + SUBJECT SKILLS
A STUDENT’S JOURNEY

6. year
2
year
1
COMMUNICATION + SUBJECT SKILLS
{self-awareness}
{basic creativity}
{skills}
[tasks]
[introducing yourself]
[scripted role plays]
[talking about personality
and skills]
[applying for a job]
{research & presentation skills}
{problem solving}
{team work}
{peer assessment}
[research projects]
[case studies]
[web quests]
[wikis]
[video blogs]
{digital literacy}
{interview skills}

7. year
3
study
abroad
COMMUNICATION+SUBJECT SKILLS
{perseverance}
{intercultural
competence}
{skills}
[tasks]
[operating in the TL]
{research skills}
{commercial awareness}
{adaptability}
{negotiation and
persuasion skills}
[Dragon’s Den]
[negotiation]
[discussion boards]
[debates on political
and economic issues]
{confidence}
{self-motivation}
{confidence}

8. year 3
study
abroad
year 2year 1
A Developmental Model
Employability Through Language Learning:
A Developmental Model
looking in looking out being out fitting in

9. {commercial awareness}
{perseverance}
{confidence}
{digital literacies}
{self-motivation & awareness}
{negotiation & persuasion}
{problem solving}
{team work}{research skills}
{?}
CV writing skills
interview skills

10. References
• Beyene, S. (2014). Language skills: way to get a job?. The Guardian. [online] Available
at: http://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jul/19/optional-language-modules-
degree [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].
• Daly, S. (2013) ‘Enhancing employability skills through the use of film in the language
classroom’. The Language Learning Journal (LLJ), DOI: 10.1080/09571736.2013.779296
• Muenger, R. [Rebecca]. (2015, May 21). Ahead of the curve. Great to see Regent’s
university London is taking the employability debate in its own hands [LinkedIn entry]
• Pozniak, H. (2013) Graduate jobs: boost your employability while you study, The
Telegraph. Available on
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/student-
life/10225756/Graduate-jobs-boost-your-employability-while-you-study.html. Last
accessed 22 May 2015
• Yorke M. and Knight P. (2006) Embedding Employability into the Curriculum. York, UK:
The Higher Education Academy and the Enhancing Student Employability Co-Ordination
Team (ESECT).
• Yorke, M. (2005) Employability in Higher Education: what it is-what it is not. York:
Higher Education Academy.