Juliet Park: Translating Potential into Careers

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, Will Marks is joined by Juliet Park, Director of Modern Foreign Languages at The Share Trust. Tired of seeing language education confined to dry grammar drills and distant academic theory, Juliet shares her vision for 'Business Pathways'—a curriculum that treats language as a genuine career superpower. We discuss the disconnect between the classroom and the adult world, the importance of fostering speaking confidence over seeking perfection, and why the current GCSE and A-level model might be underserving our students. Juliet offers concrete insights into how teachers can integrate vocational skills into their classrooms, help students recognise the value of their linguistic ability in sectors like healthcare, football, and video gaming, and navigate the pressures of modern school league tables. Whether you are an MFL leader or a classroom teacher looking for ways to make your curriculum feel more alive and relevant, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the future of language learning.