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Modern Languages (understood inclusively as the integrated study of a broad range of languages, cultures and societies) is a subject of crucial importance in HE and across the wider educational sector. It is an essential disciplinary area that contributes to developing interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral solutions to global issues of urgent topical concern. It encourages greater understanding of multilingualism as well as recognition of the limitations of monolingualism; it promotes awareness and engagement with complex linguistic and cultural configurations across the globe; it contributes to the economic wellbeing and security of the UK; it prepares graduates who work across an array of careers.

Opportunities for Modern Languages

  • Persistent public curiosity across the four nations of the UK about language learning and acquisition of related cultural knowledge.
  • Growing visibility of the multilingual nature of the UK.
  • Increasingly integrated infrastructure and government investment, bringing together multiple parts of the sector and discipline (e.g., National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) https://ncle-language-hubs.ucl.ac.uk/). 
  • Surveys with employers indicate that they value language skills, cultural awareness, curiosity, and willingness to be in dialogue with others from different contexts as extremely valuable as UK employers seek to be internationally recognised and competitive.
  • See Wendy Ayres-Bennett et al., 'The economic value to the UK of speaking other languages', RAND Corporation (2022): https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1814-1.html.
  • Importance of languages and cultural knowledge for national security, diplomacy and strategic interests: https://theconversation.com/fewer-u-s-college-students-are-studying-a-foreign-language-and-that-spells-trouble-for-national-security-198135.
  • The importance of Modern Languages within associations across the Arts and Humanities that enhance the collective voice of the disciplinary field: Arts and Humanities Alliance; Irish Humanities Alliance; Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance; Wales Arts and Humanities Alliance; Bilingualism Matters.

Challenges facing Modern Languages

It is, however, clear that Modern Languages (MLs) faces challenges that threaten its ability to thrive and survive. These challenges include:

  • Lack of public awareness of the importance of MLs disciplines.
  • Declining numbers of students studying languages at GCSE and at A level (and their equivalents).
  • Perceived difficulty of language subjects at secondary school level.
  • Declining capacity to ensure language education and the existence of cold spots.
  • Falling recruitment in university courses of MLs.
  • Closure or downsizing of university departments of MLs.
  • Lack of awareness of the social and cultural applications of MLs research.
  • The current HE funding crisis disproportionately affecting MLs.

ACTION TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT MLs FACES

Researchers studying languages, cultures and societies produce research that is world-leading; that is based on deep thinking, critical engagement, and advanced methodologies of linguistic, social and cultural analysis; that promotes interdisciplinarity; that exerts influence in a range of global contexts. But the modes of conducting research and delivering its outcomes develop rapidly and there is a need to ensure greater public awareness of the importance of the research that is conducted in the disciplinary area.

Working closely together with subject associations and many other organisations, the British Academy, the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies (ILCS), the University Council For Languages (UCFL), and the Association of University Language Communities (AULC) pursue a series of initiatives to ensure the wellbeing and the development of the subject area. These initiatives aim to address all aspects of the disciplinary field.

Download the Plan for Developing Concerted Collective Action [PDF]

Talks 2024-25

14 February 2025, 12:00-13.15
The Languages Gateway
Speaker: Charlotte Ryland (Oxford; The Languages Gateway; Stephen Spender Trust)

28 March 2025, 12:00-13:15
Taking Mentoring Programmes Forward
Speakers: Claire Gorrara (Cardiff), Lucy Jenkins (Cardiff)

2 May 2025, 12:00-13:15
Developing the Policy Dimensions of Research
Speaker: Olivia Glaze (MHRA/UCFL)

16 May 2025, 12:00-13:15
Promoting Languages through Civic Engagement
Speakers: Sofia Martinho (Leeds), Bettina Hermoso-Gómez (Leeds)