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Tag: wool

  • New Scholarship opportunity for wool/textile industry language student

    An opportunity has arisen for the John Speak Language Trust to offer a language Scholarship to one lucky student.  To apply for this scholarship you must be studying textiles/fashion design with direct connections to the UK wool industry.

    1. Are you/do you employ/do you teach a British-born citizen currently learning another language who has aspirations for a career in the wool industry?
    1. Would you/your colleague like the opportunity to study abroad?
    1. Have a desire to work in the export wool trade or related service industry?

    If the answer is “yes” to all the above questions, please read on……

     

    The Trust

    The Trust, which has been in existence since 1924, was created to assist students to improve their language skills and to further the UK export trade.

    For the past 85 years, thanks to the fund, successful students have travelled all over the world to study (and/or work) and learn the language and culture of our trading partners.

     

    The History of the Award

    In 1924 Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Industry received an anonymous donation to be used to provide scholarships abroad for suitable students. Many years later the donor was identified as Mr. John Speak, a well-known figure in the Bradford textile industry. Following his death the Fund was renamed The John Speak Foreign Languages Scholarship Trust Fund.

    Over the years scholarships have been awarded, many to students from UK Universities who have studied abroad and returned to take their place in the export markets of the UK.

    The Trust has funded many scholarships with students based in places like Argentina, Spain, Italy, Japan, China and France, benefiting from an average award of £1,870 each. Scholarships last between three and 12 months.

    Applicants for scholarships are interviewed by the Committee (most of who are past recipients of the scholarship and work in the Yorkshire area within export related industries).  All are fluent in at least one language and enthusiastically continue to carry on the work of the Trust in accordance with the wishes set out by John Speak in the original Trust Deed.

    The Fund also has a Financial Committee, experienced in the Financial Sector and who meet bi-annually to review investments and ensure the continuance of the work of the Trustees.

     

    The Scholarship

    The scholarships are awarded following a satisfactory interview with the committee of The John Speak Trust and interviews will be held at Bradford Chamber of Commerce or via Skype.  The period of the scholarship can be anything between three months and a full academic year.  The grants are usually sufficient to cover reasonable living expenses and in some circumstances, an amount towards the cost of travel.

    Application Criteria

    • Natural-born British Citizen
    • Over 18 years of age
    • Have a basic knowledge of a foreign language (Minimum GCSE / A level)
    • Have a desire to work in the export wool/textile trade or related service industry
    • Would like to spend time abroad, studying the language, learning the customs and gaining valuable experience to help with your chosen career connected to the wool industry.
    • To keep in contact with the Foundation during time abroad by sending monthly reports (written in your chosen language and English) detailing your activities and achievements
    • To obtain suitable employment whilst abroad (within the wool/textile trade) and to find accommodation within the local community rather than with other English speakers.
    • Submit a monthly report of not less than 250 words to the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

    Successful candidates would receive:-

    • A financial Award ranging from £500 up to £2,000 towards living expenses
    • An opportunity to improve language skills and learn new customs
    • Experience living abroad whilst studying a foreign language
    • Gain valuable experience to assist in a career within the wool/textiles industry
    • An individually assessed application by the John Speak Trust Committee

     

    Enquiries to

    Debra Patchett – Trust Administrator

    West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry

    Devere House

    Vicar Lane

    Little Germany

    Bradford,  BD1 5AH

    E-Mail:            john.speak@wnychamber.co.uk

    Website:          chamber-design.co.uk/

    X (was Twitter):            @johnspeaktrust

    If you fit the above criteria and wish to apply, please complete an application form

    If you have any questions, please contact us 

  • Graham Moulson – Case Study 1963 to 1964

    At age 72, looking back and having studied several foreign languages I have learned that language learning is similar to a jigsaw puzzle; learning one foreign language certainly helps when learning another.  “Once you start dreaming in a foreign language it means you must have learnt it”. I was fortunate to have an Italian Professor who provided one hour tutoring before work; no books, no dictionaries, just conversation in Italian.  He was a wonderful teacher and I was fortunate to have him.

    In 1963, age 20, I was travelling to Italy by train to start a six month John Speak Trust Scholarship to help improve my Italian.  At the time I was working for a Bradford Wool Merchants.  My accommodation was provided by the Biella family who kindly allowed me to stay at their family home in Biella.  Upon my arrival, I recall the cultural differences were a real shock although I found the Italian people to be very welcoming and very reassuring, this being a major factor during my first few weeks abroad.  I discovered that absorbing the different culture came hand in hand with learning to speak the language.   As a condition of the Scholarship, in addition to my language studies, I worked voluntarily for the largest wool combing company in Italy, Pettinatura Italiana, Vigliano Biellese.  Working and living with the locals certainly improved my Italian; I learnt a lot of the local dialect and colloquial Italian too!

    Upon completion of my Scholarship and now fluent in Italian, I remained in the wool trade and joined H Dawson Sons & Co (Wool) Limited in 1965 and returned to Biella, Italy in a new management role.  I later became a Company Director taking on the responsibility for Dawson’s office in Italy and travelled extensively to Spain, Portugal, Middle East, Iran, Pakistan and India.  My Scholarship definitely helped in my preparation for the change in career and the additional responsibilities that came alongside that.

    My philosophy in life has always been to look forward, not back.  The wool trade is a way of life, not just a job.  I have made many wonderful friends around the world, many of whom I have revisited following my retirement.  Travel in the Middle East in the 1960/70s could be lively and exciting to say the least, with many countries undergoing social conflict and political upheaval; however I found that not everything you hear and see on the news was always correct and the reality on the ground was often different.

    I am also very proud to have been an active member of the John Speak Trust Committee for 25 years, 17 of which I was Chair, standing down in 2010.

    Being a keen skier, I am regular visitor to Italy and have kept in contact with many friends and colleagues overseas throughout my international career.  I continue to use my Italian regularly and also speak reasonable Spanish which I learnt after retiring from Dawsons in 2002.  One of my passions is singing (choral music mainly) and it is an unexpected bonus to be able to sing in the above and other languages.

    I am very pleased that the John Speak Trust continues to provide financial assistance to UK language students.

    I would definitely recommend any students considering studying abroad and intending to go into the export (of UK goods and/or services) trade to go ahead and apply for a John Speak Scholarship.

    Accepting the Scholarship was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  The process is simple and uncomplicated – a no brainer!

    The benefits speak for themselves.  I have enjoyed a very long and successful career in the export trade and will always be grateful for the opportunities the John Speak Trust provided.

    Graham Moulson – June 2015

    Graham Moulson