The power of role models and their influence on us cannot be underestimated. This is particularly true for young people.
Whether they are a parent, an athlete, a musician, an actor, or someone else, young people are going to latch onto someone and their accompanying philosophy. They will be influenced by that person’s words, because at their young age they lack the experience and wisdom to know otherwise.
When it comes to celebrity role models, media and educators can enhance celebrities’ positive or negative influence on teens, so do we then have the responsibility to channel and explain the messages conveyed by the famous?
Verbalists Education & Language Network has used its privilege of being able to cover major events and festivals in Europe to use celebrities to positively influence our young students’ lives.
The celebrity interviews Verbalists have been doing about the importance of learning languages, travelling, education, and similar have helped entertain and engage young learners “on their own terms.” In turn, it also helped increase the popularity and trust of both young and adult learners in our media, as well as education and academic advising services.
What level of influence role models have today in young people’s choice of their education path, or even their profession? Has social media reduced or enhanced the importance of celebrities as role models? Who was your role model as you were growing up? What parts of them were you influenced by?
You are very welcome to take part in the discussion on this subject in the Communication & Languages Group on LinkedIn (please click here).
Dejan Trpkovic
Managing Director, PRODIREKT
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PRODIREKT recruits world-class international educators and provides cutting-edge academic advising and professional learning opportunities. We specialize in servicing the world’s emerging economies within the education sector.
Our innovative solutions for career and talent management offer a bridge between strategy and education, while the Verbalists Education & Language Network, dedicated to language studies, professional training, and translating services, helps our individual and corporate clients achieve their objectives in international communication.
PRODIREKT’s academic consulting group helps families and students find the most appropriate high school or university, confidently navigate the often complex application process, and in the end, gain admission to the desired schools/colleges.
I think it’s all about being able to inspire people, no matter whether you are a celebrity, or a teacher, or a coach, or an influencer or someone whose role is to give advice. I believe anyone can be an influencer, as long as they speak about what they do with passion, however, those who are in the limelight have a bigger responsibility because they reach a bigger volume of people.
DANIJELA SIMONOVIC
Trainer for Chamber of Industry of Serbia & Trainer for British Council Serbia
LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danijela-simonovic-618799158/
SLAVICA JOCKOVIC
English Language Teacher at Primary School
LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slavica-jockovi%C4%87-86979613a/
GABRIELLA KOVACS
Language coach, co-founder at ILCA | English language communications trainer | Teacher trainer
LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-kovacs-acc-a2351394/
RAQUÉSIA CARVALHO
Academic Advising Coordinator, Latin & Central America
LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raqu%C3%A9siacarvalho/
EDWIN ZAPPE
Taught, lectured in twenty-two countries.
LinkedIn Account: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-zappe-42499117/