Due to increases in technology it is possible to communicate with virtually anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. Within the business community there's a growing demand for such technology while on the move. The latest developments include palm top computers - about the size of an adults hand - linked to mini mobile telephones. So it doesn't matter where you are, on a mountainside, in the air, on a train or even at home, the world is at your fingertips.

There's seems to be one major snag in this. What is the use of this mass communications network if the majority of people cannot understand what each other is saying.

Fortunately for us spoken English is the second language of many other countries.True you can buy computer software which can translate all kinds of languages. But there's nothing to beat verbal communication.

It is one reason why Holy Family School's bid for language-college status should be given all of the support necessary to make its hopes a reality.

An added bonus of such status would be that the facilities could be used by members of the public as well as local businesses.

Holy Family already has an impressive record with six language teachers mainlining in French, German and Italian. Future plans include Spanish, conversational Japanese and Urdu.

Once again the bid demonstrates the level of dynamism, forward thinking and leadership Keighley has in its midst.

It is also another fine example of commitment to the best in education.

The achievement of college status would match that of Oakbank which is a sports-college. We should not forget the gallant efforts of Greenhead to attain technology-status. What a magnificent hat-trick it could be.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.