About the Trust
Welcome to the opportunity to widen your horizons! The John Speak Languages Scholarship can provide you with complementary funding to assist you to travel overseas to study a language. Mastering one or several languages provides enjoyment and a wider understanding of the world in which we live. In addition,…
New Scholarship opportunity for wool/textile industry language student
An opportunity has arisen for the John Speak Language Trust to offer a language Scholarship to one lucky student. To apply for this scholarship you must be studying textiles/fashion design with direct connections to the UK wool industry. Are you/do you employ/do you teach a British-born citizen currently learning another…
I had studied Arabic as an extracurricular course, during my undergraduate degree at Oxford University. These weekly classes had given me a good grounding in Arabic grammar but I knew my spoken Arabic needed some work. The support of The John Speak Trust enabled me to devote three months to…
Holly Henry: Case Study – Mexico 2017
During the first semester of my year abroad, I spent 5 months studying at UNAM in Mexico City. Looking back, I see in as both a turbulent but very exciting time. I experienced almost the worst weather the world could throw at me: hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes, along…
Graham Moulson – Case Study 1963 to 1964
At age 72, looking back and having studied several foreign languages I have learned that language learning is similar to a jigsaw puzzle; learning one foreign language certainly helps when learning another. “Once you start dreaming in a foreign language it means you must have learnt it”. I was fortunate…
Oliver de Planta – Case Study, Germany 2014 – 2015
During my studies at Sheffield Hallam University I undertook a year abroad in Germany from June 2014 to March 2015. I began my year abroad in Munich, Bavaria working for Robert Bosch GmbH then for the second half I moved to Berlin to work at Siemens AG. The scholarship from…
Geoffrey Padgett – Case Study, France 1953
In 1953 at age 22, I was fortunate to receive a Scholarship from the John Speak Trust to assist with my French studies. The Scholarship provided a small amount of funding towards my travel, lodgings and food during six months abroad. I received a mere £30 per month. I worked…
Siân Summerton – Case Study Barcelona, Spain (2015)
Thank you to the John Speak trust for their invaluable support during my time in Barcelona As I chose to study French, Spanish and EU Studies (MA Hons) at the University of Edinburgh, I was aware that this would involve a year working or studying abroad in 2014-2015. The…
Jo Dawson – Case Study, France (1992)
Looking back, I can probably say that the 3 month scholarship from the John Speak Trust was one of the key defining points of my life – something for which I am extremely grateful. One of the many memories that I have of my John Speak Scholarship time in France…
Calling all previous John Speak Trust scholars – tell us your story
Have you received a John Speak Trust Scholarship or did/do you know someone who has? We would love to hear from you. Please contact the Trust and tell your story. Derek Platts received a Scholarship in 1954 and has very kindly provided his Case Study – read Derek’s…
