Chief Executive Officer

Nigel Portwood

“Whether in our capacity as a publisher, or employer, we recognize the role we can play in helping to shape and inform a more equal, sustainable, and progressive society.“

For more than 500 years, we have engaged with the most pressing issues facing society through our publishing. Whether 颈迟鈥檚 sharing groundbreaking scientific studies, helping millions of children learn to read with Oxford Reading Tree, or building a definitive record of the English language with the Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press helps people to understand the world around them and to find solutions to support progress.

We continue to find new methods for sharing our content, with technology providing us with an even greater opportunity to reach more people. However, as new technologies like AI emerge鈥攁long with a myriad of other global issues and trends鈥�we also find ourselves grappling with new challenges, such as the rise of misinformation, and how to prepare young people for an uncertain future.

In this global context, we recognize that we have an important role to play; providing access to trusted research and educational content, so that people can navigate an increasingly unpredictable, complex world.

Take climate change, for example. Through educating the next generation about its potential impact, we can inspire and contribute to the conversations that will help us to address its causes and effects. In recognition of this, we developed the for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to inspire discussion about how science education can encourage environmental action. Additionally, our recently launched Oxford International Curriculum for Sustainability gives teachers the tools to engage children with the changes they can make to build a more sustainable world.

We also recognize that finding solutions to the different challenges facing society can be beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research. In 2023, we announced the forthcoming launch of Oxford Intersections鈥�a new interdisciplinary research resource to help policy and decision-makers address complex topics. I look forward to seeing the first works鈥�Racism by Context, AI in Society, and Social Media鈥�launch early next year.

This is just a snapshot of some of the initiatives we have in place to increase the impact of research and education. Other examples include extending our initiative with the National Literacy Trust to help children who have fallen behind in vocabulary development; providing teachers and schools with practical advice to help refugees continue in education; and donating books and resources to charities across the world to further our educational mission.

And beyond our role as a publisher, we also recognize our responsibility as an organization to operate ethically, sustainably, and in support of our people and the communities we serve.

Over the past year, we have made further progress against our environmental sustainability targets to reduce waste, use paper from certified sustainable sources, and cut our carbon footprint; we are on track to achieve these targets in line with our 2025 goal. As a next step, we are preparing a long-term climate target and strategy to reduce emissions from all parts of our operations and supply chain, and will work closely with colleagues, suppliers, and our communities to make this a reality.

We also maintain our focus on supporting wellbeing, inclusion, and professional development for colleagues globally. Key highlights from the past year include launching a new internal development programme, Pathways, which aims to help all colleagues unlock their potential and develop their careers, whatever stage they are at in their journey; and the second phase of our flagship Global Inclusion Programme, which focused on the theme of 鈥榓wareness to action鈥�.听听

Whether in our capacity as a publisher, or employer, we recognize the role we can play in helping to shape and inform a more equal, sustainable, and progressive society. I am proud of the steps we continue to make at OUP, which you can read more about in our latest Responsible Publishing Report.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“We are proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but new technologies are evolving rapidly. That鈥檚 why we must continue to monitor the developments and consider what impact they may have on the way we live, work, and learn.”

Last week, we released our听听or the last financial year, sharing an update on our financial performance, highlights of some of our achievements, and insights from our research.

There鈥檚 no denying that global challenges have caused unexpected pressures and uncertainty for many organizations during the past year. Although much of the world returned to near pre-pandemic normality, we felt the impact of high inflation and supply chain disruption as a result of the war in Ukraine and ongoing recovery of the economic activity after the Covid-19 pandemic. But thanks to the hard work and resilience of our people, we saw a strong performance across all areas of our publishing, achieving underlying growth against our targets.

Our ongoing commitment to embrace new technologies played a significant part in our success. While the pandemic helped us to accelerate our digital transformation, we continue to invest in technologies to meet both our own needs as a business and, more importantly, the needs of our customers. We take great care in adapting our existing products and in innovating the creation of new ones in order to make our content accessible, while maintaining the high level of quality OUP is known for. Our work in this area has proven successful, with our digital-only sales increasing by more than 10 per cent compared to the previous year.

Our digital resources also expanded across each of our publishing divisions. Some examples to I’d like to highlight are:

• Our Academic Division migrated more than 42,000 books onto our Oxford Academic platform, increasing accessibility of the latest research findings. We also passed a milestone of one billion visits to the platform since its launch.
• In our ELT Division, the Oxford English Hub has supported 230,000 users in advancing their English skills, and is now being used in more than 100 countries.
• Our Education Division harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in our adaptive learning products, Bond Online Premium and Bond Online Premium Plus, in collaboration with CENTURY, an EdTech AI platform.

We are proud of the progress we’ve made so far, but new technologies are evolving rapidly. That鈥檚 why we must continue to monitor the developments and consider what impact they may have on the way we live, work, and learn.

Generative AI in particular, has been the focus of much debate in recent months, and it certainly has the potential to change the future of education and research as we know it. That鈥檚 why 颈迟鈥檚 more important than ever that we, as a publisher, continue to produce trusted, quality resources that support our customers to navigate these uncertainties, finding the best ways to move forward鈥攖ogether.

Alongside this, we also acknowledge our responsibility to inspire and facilitate meaningful debate, presenting a balanced story of world events and providing access to relevant knowledge and expertise. In the past year, we’ve done this in two very different ways:

• Through our research report, The Matter of Fact, we examined how people across the world find and evaluate the accuracy of news and information. What we found was a global picture of confusion. As a result, we made recommendations for combatting misinformation, including consulting multiple sources rather than taking information at face value. And with the growing prevalence of AI, these recommendations feel more critical than ever before.
• For the first time in its history, we opened the Oxford Word of the Year up to the public to choose between three contenders which best fit the mood and ethos of 2022. 鈥楪oblin mode鈥� was the winner with 93 per cent of 340,000 votes cast, generating worldwide interest and debate.

Sparking debates, facilitating open dialogue and inspiring ideas is at the heart of what we do, and will continue to be fundamental to our mission. As ever, I’m proud of the quality titles, products, and services that we create and publish. But what is perhaps more important is the way in which people use, think about, and respond to these resources, which will impact the way we learn and behave.

In this way, I’m optimistic about what the next year will bring. While there may well be economic headwinds to face, I remain confident that we’ll be able to seize opportunities that may come our way鈥攚hether that鈥檚 expanding our digital offerings and embracing advancements in technology, or continuing to provide people with the tools and resources they need to think critically about the world around them.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“In this time of uncertainty, publishers play an important role in furthering knowledge of the world鈥檚 most pressing topics. The ideas conveyed through publishing can spark debate and drive progress by helping people to understand the world around them.”

How can we ensure the information we publish is credible, robust, and dispersed equitably?

For many years now, we’ve been living in a state of constant change and uncertainty; from rapid technological advances to the real-life impact of climate change that we see playing out across the globe, 颈迟鈥檚 difficult to predict what the immediate future may bring.

In this time of uncertainty, publishers play an important role in furthering knowledge of the world鈥檚 most pressing topics. The ideas conveyed through publishing can spark debate and drive progress by helping people to understand the world around them.

Last week, we published our latest听, reflecting our ongoing commitment to operating responsibly while supporting our people and communities worldwide. It showcases our achievements from the past year and speaks to our ambitions for the future, outlining the steps we are taking to align with the UN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

But responsible publishing isn鈥檛 just about producing robust and credible content; 颈迟鈥檚 about ensuring that it is disseminated in an equitable way. This can be achieved in a number of ways; from enabling open access to make high-quality research available to all, to advancing the principles of diversity and inclusion through representation of a wide range of backgrounds that better reflect the communities we serve. It’s also about ensuring our publishing is sustainable; considering our impact on the environment and taking steps to reduce it wherever possible.

World Environment Day鈥攚hich takes place next week on 5th June鈥攎arks a moment in the calendar to take stock of the current state of the planet and address what needs to be done to combat the complex challenges. This comes at a crucial time, with scientists recently warning that we are set to experience听

At OUP, we have a continued commitment to raising awareness about social and environmental issues among learners, educators, and researchers worldwide. Earlier this year, thousands of people across the world joined us for the听; an online event which was aligned to the听听and brought together experts from our global community to discuss the practical steps we can all take towards Quality Education, Climate Action, and Reduced Inequalities. And in our Responsible Publishing Report, we detail how,听, we aim to support new thinking about sustainable development challenges and solutions and, most importantly, inspire action.

When it comes to understanding the ongoing climate crisis and the future developments we may have to grapple with, science education plays a critical role. As well as teaching people the basics around climate change鈥攚hat causes it and the impact it has on our lives鈥攊t can also equip young people with the skills to carry out scientific enquiry and interpret information; skills which, are the foundations of developing solutions, making informed decisions, and taking personal responsibility in tackling global issues. When we surveyed teachers about听, they described how cognitive skills need to be supported, such as good scientific literacy and the ability to process and understand data. And at a time where anyone can position themselves as an expert online, these skills can provide the ability to interrogate information in order to distinguish between fact and fiction; a challenge I鈥檝e discussed in more detail听.

To further our commitment, we are proud to have collaborated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to develop the PISA 2025 Science Framework to help educators and policy makers understand the capabilities and progress of 15-year-olds worldwide鈥攁nd therefore how equipped they will be to take on future challenges. The OECD and key experts in leading the development of the Framework will discuss it in depth at an online launch event this month and I look forward to learning more about the impact it will have.

The event, taking place on the 15th June is open to anyone to attend. You can register听.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“The role that global organizations鈥攕uch as 糖心VLOG Press鈥攑lay is increasingly important in this context; we share diverse voices and perspectives; we create valuable content that can advance thinking and inform society; and we develop tools that enable people to learn and think critically.”

At听, I discussed our individual and collective responsibility to live more sustainably and the new opportunities and challenges that present themselves every day. The role that global organizations鈥攕uch as 糖心VLOG Press鈥攑lay is increasingly important in this context; we share diverse voices and perspectives; we create valuable content that can advance thinking and inform society; and we develop tools that enable people to learn and think critically.

To that end, this month sees the听听2023, a virtual event that brings together a global community of teachers, learners, and researchers to explore how we can all be taking听Steps to a Sustainable Future.

The Oxford Forum marks a further step in our commitment to the听, as we facilitate dialogue on subjects at the heart of our mission, to build a more sustainable future in education and research. Building on 2021鈥檚听, we are delighted to welcome industry experts and experienced practitioners from across the world for online panel discussions to address three of the UN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, and Climate Action.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Recently, we’ve seen artificial intelligence (AI) dominate news headlines globally, with much debate over how technological advancements will shape education and research. Almost every industry is contemplating what the popularization of AI tools will mean for its future and for education and research, a key concern is the quality of data and information driving the technology. The 听at the Oxford Forum will assess how best to embrace AI and digital technology, without sacrificing the rigor needed to deliver quality education.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The Oxford Forum鈥檚听听will take a particular focus on the digital divide鈥攖he gap between those who have access to devices and connectivity, and those who do not鈥攚ithin education, continuing our exploration of the topic at the听. In our听听into the digital divide, 68% of teachers said the biggest barrier to digital learning was poor digital access, while 70% said that the most disadvantaged students lost learning due to limited or no access to digital devices. This year鈥檚 panel will explore the impact that a lack of access to digital products and services can have on learning progress, and the practical steps we can take to ensure digital technology in education and research works for the whole world.

SDG 13: Climate Action

For the听, our expert speakers will consider how content providers can do more to support climate action, as well as combat misinformation and climate fatigue. Social media can often be a place where ideas and information of varying accuracy can spread quickly and gain momentum, with the ability for anyone to position themselves as an expert. However,听, tweets containing 鈥渃limate scam鈥� or other terms linked to climate change denial rose 300% last year. Therefore, it is more important than ever to help future generations鈥攎any of whom rely on these platforms as a source of information鈥攖o distinguish fact from fiction and empower them to make real, long-lasting change for the planet.

The event is freely accessible to all and听. I look forward to welcoming you to this unique opportunity to connect and contribute ideas with Oxford.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“Equity in education is about more than providing equal access; it’s about understanding how those access needs adapt and change based on circumstance.”

With the theme for this year’s being “Embrace Equity”, it feels like an important time to reflect on the steps we’re taking at OUP to champion equity across all our operations and activities, as well as recognize where we can go one step further.

While equality is focused on ensuring access to equal opportunities, the concept of equity is centered around how each person has different circumstances and requires specific resources and opportunities in accordance with these, to reach an equal outcome.

As a signatory to the , we aim to work alongside other publishers to inspire action in the delivery of all 17 SDGs by 2030. This includes Goal 4; .

Equity in education is about more than providing equal access; it’s about understanding how those access needs adapt and change based on circumstance.

Digital technology can be harnessed to support teachers and learners in an inclusive and equitable way. Last month, we launched our new Oxford IB Diploma Programme Science 2023 resources. Using adaptive technology, it offers a personalized learning journey, tailored to each student’s skills and abilities. To enable everyone to benefit from the new functionality鈥攊ncluding those with visual impairments鈥攐ur colleagues have worked hard to ensure that the platform supports an equal outcome for all learners. This is also reflected in the content by including diverse, real-life examples to inspire learners about how science applies directly to them and how they too can be scientists.

Similarly, we are proud to partner with one of the UK鈥檚 leading sight loss charities, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), to make a number of our titles available on Bookshare鈥攁 free service for teachers, pupils, and students that provides books and resources in accessible and adaptive formats, including electronic braille, PDF, and audio. Last month, the charity announced an impressive milestone having and we look forward to increasing accessibility to our books as the RNIB Bookshare continues to expand.

Embracing equity is not only important when it comes to how we create and deliver our publishing, but in ensuring that our published content鈥攁nd indeed any future content acquisitions鈥攔eflect our ongoing commitment to represent diversity of experience. For example, we recently published a new choral music anthology,听The Oxford Book of Choral Music by Black Composers, which highlights the contributions by black composers and aims to address a historical lack of representation of black musicians and composers in the choral canon.

This is also a focus within OUP, as we continue to strive for equality, diversity, and inclusion, and creating a workplace for colleagues where everyone can succeed鈥攆ree from bias, discrimination, or stereotyping. We know that in order to achieve our mission, we need to take into account a diverse range of thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and reflect this in all that we put out into the world.

That鈥檚 why we wanted to make the most of celebrating this year鈥檚 International Women鈥檚 Day and continue the conversation around equity by hosting live events for colleagues to showcase our varied experiences and share what equity means to us as individuals. As we consider the progress we鈥檝e made so far, and the steps we鈥檙e taking to create equal opportunities, 颈迟鈥檚 also important to acknowledge that the hard work can鈥檛 stop there. Striving for equity is an ongoing effort and one that must be at the forefront of our minds every day of the year.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“A new year is a time of possibility, and I hope that we can remain focused on developing ourselves, working and living more responsibly, and supporting each other to help us navigate whatever 2023 has in store.”

The month of January is typically a time for setting goals and intentions. It marks a natural moment in the year to hit the reset button, realign priorities, and focus on the projects and opportunities that inspire us the most.

This goes beyond making New Year鈥檚 Resolutions鈦�, which,听, 80% of us leave behind as soon as we reach February. Instead, at OUP, we are focusing on the tangible steps we can take to support our colleagues, our community, and wider society for the year ahead.

We kicked off 2023 with a focus on learning鈥攂e that a skill, habit, or thought pattern. Throughout the month, we have encouraged our colleagues to reflect on their strengths and achievements, and consider how they can achieve their future ambitions. To support this, we are proud to have a diverse pool of trained (or in-training) coaches from 17 countries across the world, all of whom are committed to helping colleagues unlock their potential.听; 颈迟鈥檚 perhaps no surprise that听. It can help to boost confidence and self-awareness, while also providing the clarity and focus needed to take on new opportunities. I look forward to hearing how our colleagues benefit as a result.

Within the University of Oxford 鈥� of which we are a department – we are delighted to welcome a new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey. In her inauguration speech,听听and the continued potential Oxford has to make a difference,听鈥渨hether that鈥檚 via knowledge generation, through discovery research, or knowledge transfer, through our world-class teaching.鈥�

Professor Tracey also spoke of the University鈥檚 employees as its 鈥渓ifeblood鈥濃�攕omething we wholeheartedly concur with. Without the ongoing dedication of our colleagues, it would not be possible to achieve our mission of advancing knowledge and learning around the world.

In addition to this, Professor Tracey听听This topic is rarely far from our minds, especially as听.

Ensuring a more sustainable future is more important than ever. That鈥檚 why at OUP, we have similarly been strengthening our focus on climate change and sustainability throughout January.

听to further reduce our individual and collective impact on climate, biodiversity, and waste. However, we know that even the smallest of actions can make a big difference, so we are encouraging colleagues to make pledges of where they will personally make a change鈥攁t work, and at home鈥攖o help protect our environment. Supported by one of our employee networks, the Green Group, pledges span using public transport, to purchasing second hand items, to re-using plastic bags.

Throughout the past month, topics such as war, inflation, cost of living, technical innovation, and of course, climate change have dominated the headlines. And there is no way to predict what the rest of this year will bring. However, a new year is a time of possibility, and I hope that we can remain focused on developing ourselves, working and living more responsibly, and supporting each other to help us navigate whatever 2023 has in store.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“We are all participants in this evolving story of the English language; 颈迟鈥檚 how we communicate with others, express ourselves, and form connections. “

2022 has undoubtedly been a year of change; we have seen many parts of the world open up again and we reunited with friends and family, gathered for events, and headed back into workplaces. This is something we have experienced first-hand at OUP. Last month, I听visited our colleagues in South Africa听alongside Professor Dame Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and saw our mission in action in local schools and communities. We were also able to听听to connect with our customers and partners in-person once again.听

But this has been against a challenging backdrop; the passing of an iconic monarch, growing economic uncertainty, and the impacts of war. In a year marked by reunion and reconnection, our world somehow feels more divided than ever. It is with this in mind that we felt it was time for a change in approach for this year鈥檚听.听

Last week, in a special press event hosted by Susie Dent, we announced that听. We are all participants in this evolving story of the English language; 颈迟鈥檚 how we communicate with others, express ourselves, and form connections. That鈥檚 why we wanted to give more people the opportunity to be involved in the selection process, rather than making the decision behind closed doors.

Our lexicographers monitored and analysed developments and trends in language, creating a compelling case for three candidates: metaverse, #IStandWith, and Goblin Mode. All of which saw a substantial increase in usage and capture significant themes of the past year鈥攚hether that鈥檚 grappling with the concept of an entirely online future (metaverse), using social media to express solidarity with a cause (#IStandWith), or reassessing societal norms and the pressures put upon us after a challenging few years (Goblin mode). While they are all very contrasting in their nature, Ben Zimmer, American linguist, language columnist, and panellist at our recent event, noted that all three choices could relate to听听

The power of language to inspire expression has been reflected in the response to the campaign already – 颈迟鈥檚 astounding to see that votes have been cast in their hundreds of thousands. People worldwide have taken to social media to debate the choices and have their say on which word best reflects the mood, ethos, and social landscape of 2022鈥攁s well as discuss the broader topic of what makes a word viable in the first place.听

We have also seen publications across the globe continuing the conversation. From听, to Susie Dent discussing our new approach on BBC South Today, to the听, everyone, everywhere have been encouraged to get involved.听

We鈥檒l be counting the votes and revealing the winner next week鈥擨 very much look forward to seeing which word is crowned this year鈥檚 Oxford Word of the Year.

However, our celebration of language鈥攁nd its ability to enrich our lives鈥攄oesn鈥檛 end there. As we near the end of the calendar year, we wanted to continue to demonstrate how it can bring people together from across the world.听

In 2020, we launched听Gift of Words听to inspire children and adults alike through words, and encourage them to share this gift with others. In 2021, we shifted our focus to听reading and its ability to open people鈥檚 minds听to new worlds, ideas, and cultures. But the underlying message of the campaign has always been the same, centred around how language can create opportunities, teach us about the world, and help us better understand one another.

For this year, we asked adults and children globally to share the words that they would 鈥榞ift鈥� from one language to another. The words that have been submitted so far truly show鈥痟ow language transcends borders, and how鈥痵haring words can enable us to鈥痗ommunicate鈥痑nd express ourselves to an even greater extent.鈥�

Over the next two weeks, we鈥檒l be sharing some of the submissions we received across our听听and听听channels, as well as insights into the benefits that can come from embracing language in all its forms.听听

You can cast your vote for our Oxford Word of the Year 2022听. The vote closes at 23:59 GMT on Friday 2 December 2022. The winner will be announced on Monday 5 December 2022.听

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“After all, books can open doors to exploring exciting new places and cultures, as well as understanding more about our own surroundings; all of which will be essential for the next generation when it comes to navigating their way through the world.”

Last month, we launched our听听campaign in the UK, to help provide children and young people with the tools and opportunities to become lifelong readers. Over the next three years, the campaign will champion reading for pleasure and the transformative benefits it can have on a child鈥檚 life, bringing together schools, booksellers, local communities, parents, librarians, literacy partners, and reading experts.

As part of the campaign, we have collaborated with the听, joining the听Primary School Library Alliance听as a flagship partner. We will shortly be taking听Raise a Reader听directly to communities, visiting ten locations across England with lower levels of literacy to facilitate engaging activities and workshops with OUP authors and illustrators鈥攁ll aimed to celebrate the joys of reading.

Taking steps to support and inspire a generation of readers has never been so important.听听outlined some of the challenges parents experience in reading with their child; nearly half of those surveyed (43%) said screen time and gadgets often cause distraction. A lack of time and difficulty in establishing a regular reading routine were also cited as contributing factors.

Adding to this, research from the National Literacy Trust highlighted that听. A concurrent survey revealed that nearly one in five children between 5-8 years-old in the UK do not have a book at home.

And our previous research into the听鈥攚here vocabulary is below age-related expectations鈥攁lso found that deficiencies in literacy can have a significant impact on children鈥檚 mental health, as well as educational attainment. Confidence, social skills, and the ability to engage in conversation are all affected.

These statistics are extremely worrying to see, given the difference we know that reading can make to young people; 颈迟鈥檚 been shown that developing a love of reading from an early age can help to听

I have previously talked about the power of language to inspire expression and help people to make sense of the world around them. That鈥檚 why we need to provide schools with the necessary materials, engage with parents and carers, and promote positive attitudes towards reading so that we can restore a love of literature among children.

At OUP, we remain committed to developing resources and highlighting the benefits that reading can bring. Indeed, our听Raise a Reader听campaign works hand-in-hand with existing, literacy-focused projects around the world. For example, in Australia, we supported the听听to provide books and learning tools to children living in remote communities. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, we held an interactive Urdu storytelling and singalong session at the OUP Bookshop in Karachi.

Where possible, we also try to align with wider local government efforts. For example, earlier this year,听鈥攆ollowing on from the Ministry of Education鈥檚 100-day reading initiative鈥攚orked alongside school leaders, teachers, librarians, parents, and experts to equip them with the materials and opportunities to inspire learners to read. Similarly, our听Road to Literacy Campaign in South Africa, in partnership with the AVBOB Group, saw 86,000 books being donated to 180 primary schools and non-profit organizations, contributing to the South African government鈥檚 ambition to address poor literacy skills across the country.

In addition to this, we are proud to work with our long-standing charity partner,听, whose vision is 鈥榓 world where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve, and change their lives鈥�. In 2021, we helped them to send hundreds of thousands of books to 150 partners in 24 countries. Likewise, our employees have the chance to volunteer with听鈥攁n Oxfordshire-based charity鈥攚ho provide reading assistance in local primary schools.

It鈥檚 encouraging to know that our literacy campaigns and initiatives are bringing enjoyment to children around the globe and inspiring young people to pick up and enjoy a book. After all, books can open doors to exploring exciting new places and cultures, as well as understanding more about our own surroundings; all of which will be essential for the next generation when it comes to navigating their way through the world.

You can听听on the perceptions of reading, with recommendations for parents and teachers, and find out more about our听, which supports schools with access to reading spaces, books, and advice.

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CEO – 糖心VLOG Press

Nigel Portwood

“It鈥檚 clear from these stories that language is more than the words in a book; 颈迟鈥檚 essential to how we express our beliefs and values, and how we share our ideas. It can also open the door to new opportunities, new perspectives, and new people.”

There鈥檚 no denying that learning a language can be challenging. It requires memorizing words and grammatical structures that aren鈥檛 familiar to you, having the confidence to speak in front of others, and persevering when you make mistakes, which is inevitable. It can be a daunting journey to embark on, but in those moments when you get it right鈥�when you find the words鈥攖he benefits of having a second language are enormous.

For example,听听found that students who speak more than one language have higher career and educational expectations than those who are monolingual. Language learning has also been linked with听听such as developing an increased capacity for problem-solving and multi-tasking. Even in children as young as seven months, it can enhance the ability to听鈥攁 skill increasingly necessary when navigating today鈥檚 uncertain world.

Recently, we asked our colleagues to share their own experiences of when they 鈥榝ound the words鈥� as part of听. An extraordinary amount of people took part, recounting a time when language learning had clicked into place for them, and the impact this had on their lives. Here are just a few of the stories that were shared:

鈥淭he language learning journey is a little bumpy one. We learn, we forget, we try, we fail, and we succeed. I still remember the times I could incorporate new vocabulary or avoid the mistakes I insisted on doing. Such as pronouncing the word fifth (which I insisted on adding the second F and pronouncing the T), mispronouncing year and ear and the word certificate. The feeling of saying something right and being understood is great.鈥� –听Selma Trus, Head of Regional Marketing (Americas), Brazil

鈥淚 remember the first time I travelled abroad on my own. I travelled to England. It was 2009. I was 27 at that time. I was so excited, so scared, and so away from home and from those teachers who taught me how to express myself in English, anxious to find the words to communicate with those strangers. I was there to teach Spanish. Coming from a rural community in Mexico, I just wanted to survive as a person and as a teacher. But those words learnt at University with those dictionaries and those coursebooks helped me to find the words to make my first friend there and to connect with those pupils who saw me trying to find the words to share knowledge about my own language, Spanish, and my own culture. Learning English as a second language changed my life forever.鈥� –听Margarito Jacome, Educational Consultant, Mexico

鈥淟earning English seemed very artificial to me for the first few years – answering questions for the text that has just been read. I was so happy when my parents bought an English course for me and I could live with a local family. At last I was speaking because I wanted to communicate something! Finding the right words to tell my landlady what I would like to eat for breakfast, how was my day on a course was so much fun for me. When I got back home I was a different person – not so worried about mistakes when I was speaking. Now I was concentrated on finding the words to be understood and every successful conversation was such a pleasure!鈥� –听El偶bieta 艢wi臋cicka, Senior ELT Consultant, Poland

鈥淚’m Italian, I’ve been living in Oxford since 2004 and I still get very excited when I learn a new English word. Usually I need to pick up an Italian book before going back home as my sister put it “I forgot Italian”: all languages are constantly evolving therefore we are constantly learning.鈥� –听Lilia Bonacorsi, Ebook and Digital Products Executive, UK

It鈥檚 clear from these stories that language is more than the words in a book; 颈迟鈥檚 essential to how we express our beliefs and values, and how we share our ideas. It can also open the door to new opportunities, new perspectives, and new people. With 2bn people learning English and that number only set to grow, language learning is an important skill for bringing together different cultures and communities and forging connections through a common language.听

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