Chartered Institute
of Linguists
Running for Languages
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By Tom Crook, 无忧传媒 Qualifications Client Services Officer.
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The 无忧传媒 is a not-for-profit organisation and has always had a public purpose to enhance the recognition and promote the value of languages and language skills in the public interest, and we work to do so by encouraging the effective study and practice of languages.
There is a lot to do to support language and communication skills in the UK as well around the world.
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Running for Speech and Language UK
It is for this reason that I am very proud to be running on behalf of 无忧传媒 in the Royal Parks Half-Marathon in October 2025 in support of the charity .
I cannot think of a better charity to support than one that campaigns tirelessly for improvements, support and an overall awareness of the urgent need for language and communication skills in young children.
There feels little that could be more in keeping with our mission statement听to work for the public interest.
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Why Speech and Language UK?
A recent (2023) report commissioned by Speech and Language UK: found that teachers across the UK now estimate that nearly 2 million children are behind in their development of speaking skills and/or their understanding of words.
- Put simply, that equates to roughly 1 in 5 children in schools across the UK.
- And put rather more bluntly, that is the highest number ever recorded.
- This equates to 20% of an entire generation of the UK鈥檚 young people.
The opportunity and skills that we have, to communicate effectively and express ourselves through language and words should not, therefore, be taken for granted. I鈥檓 one of the lucky ones, and if you鈥檙e reading these words, then clearly so are you.
By virtue of our profession and our passions, we get to live and breathe a world of language and linguistically sophisticated communication, finding joy and purpose in the beauty of word in their many forms: writing, reading, poetry, prose, reportage, interpreting and transcreation.
Times are challenging for linguists in the UK and worldwide, that cannot be understated, but it would be an honour if you or any of our members could find the means to contribute to our collective fundraising effort on behalf of Speech and Language UK.
I will write more soon!
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Support from 无忧传媒鈥檚 Chair
无忧传媒 Chair Steve Doswell is no stranger to marathons. When the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, Steve decided to lace up his own running shoes and head in the opposite direction, back to Europe, but in his own way by running in every country of the EU before the Brexit deadline in 28 countries!
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His book on the experience: was published last year. Steve said:
鈥淚t鈥檚 excellent to find a fellow distance-runner within the team at 无忧传媒. Tom deserves our full support for making this commitment - not just the 13.1 miles on the day but the training too, especially during the hottest part of the year. We would also struggle to find a more appropriate cause for our fund-raising than the work of Speech and Language UK. Good luck to Tom with his preparations.鈥�
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JustGiving page
Here is the link to Tom's 无忧传媒 sponsored JustGiving page:
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Tom Crook is Client Services Officer at 无忧传媒 Qualifications, and has been involved with the 无忧传媒 in various capacities since 2008. A former West-End actor, he now turns his hand to writing in his spare time and has most recently been published as a member of the 鈥� Manchester鈥檚 longest running writing group, in their anthology , alongside writing for .
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