Pictured above: Linda Walker

A new language school offering tuition to individuals and businesses has opened in Nottingham.

Nottingham Language Academy based at The Ropewalk in the city is offering modern language classes in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Japanese, as well as English as a foreign language.

It has been launched by Linda Walker, who has worked in further education for more than 20 years as a college lecturer and then senior manager, and is being staffed by 12 teachers who are all native speakers in the language they teach.

"Nottingham Language Academy is the first teaching establishment of its kind in the city, offering both modern languages and English as a foreign language," said Linda.

"I'm very excited to be opening something which I hope will be a great resource for both the business community in Nottingham and individuals who want to learn a new language or improve their English, if English is not their first language."

Classes are being run during the day, evenings and at weekends, and are designed for people who want to improve their job prospects, travel and see the world, live and work abroad, gain a place at university or learn something new for the fun of it.

The modern foreign languages courses are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) which now forms the basis of language teaching and learning in most EU countries.

Taster sessions are being offered, as well as general courses.

Linda, who lives in Long Eaton and is a Business Language Champion in the East Midlands, said: "Our first classes start in October, and are aimed at individuals and businesses, from beginner to advanced level. Our school will offer the opportunity for people to learn in small groups in a relaxed and comfortable environment.

"We offer one-to-one classes and general classes in inspirational surroundings, and can also provide tailor-made sessions for businesses that want training for their staff."

Through her involvement as a Business Language Champion, Linda is determined that the Nottingham Language Academy will embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility from the start.

This voluntary programme brings together business people using languages with schools, to help show young people how useful a language can be in their careers. It enables businesses to be involved in a number of ways (short talks, workshops and seminars), and Linda hopes that a long term partnership with a local school can be arranged soon after the start of the autumn term.