Resources to Mainstream the UN Levels of Language Competence
The CDOTS Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) is currently developing a set of video, audio and text language samples to illustrate how staff members communicate in the workplace and in other settings. The samples showcase speaking and writing at the UN I-Basic, UN II-Intermediate, and UN III-Advanced levels.
The French set of samples was created with the support of the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and with collaboration of the UN Office in Geneva (UNOG) Language Programme. Samples in English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese are expected by 2024.
Resources to Support Language Learning
The abundance of opportunities to learn and work in various languages is one of the compelling factors that attract new talent to our multilingual and multicultural Organization.
There is a wide variety of online resources, materials and multimedia content from academia, public governmental institutions and the private sector, available online to language learners and instructors.
The Language and Communications Training Unit is continually curating and publishing open access “packages” that bundle a variety of authentic language resources to develop, practice and reinforce language skills. These resources will support personnel who may lack familiarity in this area or who are not eligible for formal learning and development programmes, including language training, at the Secretariat.
Our open access live webinars in 2023 focused on cross-cutting professional communications and language evaluation. Since these were very well received, we will continue offering similar webinar and workshop-based opportunities.
Activities and Events
The Language and Communications Training Unit invite all personnel to join our open access workshops and events to celebrate Language Days: In-person gatherings, presentations and “sample courses".
Language Day celebrations provide ideal opportunities to experience the social aspects, customs and traditions in the language of study.
Once a year, Chinese learners enjoy the opportunity to immerse themselves for about two weeks into the language and culture thanks to the Summer Immersion Programme.
