Language Show Live is Europe’s largest exhibition for anyone with a passion for languages, so I’m almost ashamed to admit I’d never heard of it until a few weeks ago. Spanning three days, this London-based event offers over 60 CPD-certified seminars and workshops, hosts over 150 exhibitors, and welcomes thousands of language teachers, learners, translators and linguists.
Field hockey is probably the only other passion of mine to surpass languages, so the timing of the exhibition (Friday to Sunday) meant it unfortunately clashed with a crucial Saturday fixture. That said, there was still plenty on offer on the Sunday to justify a last-minute train ride down to the Kensington Olympia venue. I’m becoming quite the regular in the capital these days!
Having picked up some valuable tips from Lloyd Bingham over at Capital Translations, and knowing I had just a few hours to cram everything in, I put together a comprehensive itinerary including a selection of seminars and an efficient route around the exhibition hall that made sure I didn’t miss any key stands. As the event isn’t pitched specifically at translators, many of the stands weren’t directly relevant, but that didn’t stop me picking up a whole host of free goodies from chocolates and pens through to notepads and tote bags! I even came across a great language-learning company called FlashSticks and ended up buying some educational French resources for our resident teacher, Charlotte.
The seminars I chose to attend were as follows:
– Lloyd Bingham’s “If You’re Not Online, You’re Invisible”
– Martina Eco’s “The Freelance Translator’s Free Marketing Toolkit”
– Richard Simcott’s “Language Moderation, Engagement and Localisation in Social Media”
I very much enjoyed the delivery of each of these seminars; however, the content was probably more appropriate for newcomers to the industry or those with less experience in the fields of social media and marketing. Nevertheless, it was great to at least confirm that Anglicus Translations is definitely taken the correct approaches in these areas, so we shall keep up the good work knowing we’re on the right lines!
I had also planned to attend Ann Carlisle’s “Recognition, Standards & Qualification – Fighting the Corner for Language Professionals”, as I am interested in furthering my commitment to CPD by becoming a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists. As it happened, the seminar was unfortunately cancelled, but I did have the opportunity to speak to some CIoL representatives at their exhibition stand. Watch this space for updates on my membership status!
With just an hour remaining to whizz around the exhibition hall and discuss our services with a number of prospective agencies, I managed to visit all of the stands on my list and even sneaked in a catch-up with the lovely Allison Spangler from Surrey Translation Bureau. I would have liked to attend a beginners’ class in Spanish or sign language, but there simply wasn’t time. All in all, though, I’d say it was a pretty successful trip given the short time available and the last-minute planning. For anyone who missed out this time around, why not head to the sister exhibition – Language Show Live Scotland –
at the SECC in Glasgow? I might even head up myself to catch up on anything I missed! Maybe see you there?