I want to attend a language course but my employer says this is not essential for my job. What should I do?

You could try again making out a business case which highlights the benefits of training and development generally for organisation.

If this fails and you are older than 17 years of age there is no legal requirement which would support your case.

If you are keen to learn a language you will have to accept that this will have to be studied for in your own time and financed by you.

There are a variety of different learning opportunities for studying a language some of which may mean you can learn at home via video, CD ROMs, computer courses, cassette tapes etc.

Learndirect can inform you about potential language programmes in your area.

If you are aged 16 or 17, are not in full-time education and have not attained a certain standard of achievement (for example grades A-C in five subjects at GCSE), then there is a legal right to time off work, with pay, for such study or training.

The amount of time off must be reasonable, taking into account the requirements of your study or training and the circumstances of your employer's business and the effect of the time off on that business.

Pay for such training should be at the normal hourly rate. To find out more about time off to study for 16 and 17 year olds visit the DFES website