UCFL - University Council For Languages

Listen below to our @ucflangs.bsky.social Chair
@emmacayley.bsky.social, in conversation with Matt Frei
from LBC News, discussing a recent @hepi-news.bsky.social report on the current crisis in language learning in the UK and the urgent need to address this at policy level 👇🏼

New HEPI report calls for urgent action on revitalising language learning UCFL welcomes the release of a new HEPI report, sponsored by Duolingo, that highlights the urgent need for action to support and improve the uptake of languages at school level and beyond. It empha…

Read UCFL's reaction to the new HEPI report on languages: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/07/31/n...
The recommendations for HE are particularly welcome, as are those around equality of access and social justice. @emmacayley.bsky.social @cforsdick.bsky.social

New HEPI report calls for urgent action on revitalising language learning UCFL welcomes the release of a new HEPI report, sponsored by Duolingo, that highlights the urgent need for action to support and improve the uptake of languages at school level and beyond. It empha…

New HEPI report calls for urgent action on revitalising language learning - @ucflangs.bsky.social welcomes the release of a new HEPI report, sponsored by Duolingo, thqt highlights the urgent need to support and improve the uptake of languages: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/07/31/n...

@ucflangs.bsky.social The University Council For Languages (UCFL) responds to welcome a new @hepi-news.bsky.social report and joins them in calling for urgent action on revitalising language learning university-council-for-languages.org/2025/07/31/n...

📣Important podcast on the value of speaking other languages 👇

The conversation looks at how the languages we speak influence how we think & affect how we relate to others. It explores how multilingualism can foster social cohesion, support cognitive flexibility, & even boost economic opportunities.

Response to the Interim Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR). In the interim report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review of March 2025 , the subject ‘Languages’ was classified as requiring Category 1 intervention, i.e., a subject currently deem…

A great afternoon in Westminster thanks to the APPG ML. We presented our collective response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/06/23/c... Was pleased to be there to represent @ucflangs.bsky.social with @wendya-b.bsky.social & @marcecazzoli.bsky.social

A wonderful day of collegiality and sharing good practice for the @ucflangs.bsky.social Summer Plenary in the splendid surroundings of the @ilcs.bsky.social Spreading the good news about languages & optimism for our collective future. Thanks to our speakers and to all who made the effort to attend 💐

Fascinating discussion and a really insightful day so far! #langsky

Nominations: ECA REP and Slavonic and East European Rep We are calling for nominations to the UCFL Executive Committee of suitably qualified people for the following roles: An ECA Representative and a Slavonic and East European Representative. The role …

We are calling for nominations to the UCFL Executive Committee for the following roles:

- ECA Representative

- Slavonic and East European Representative.

Please see our website for the role descriptions and the nominations forms: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/07/03/n...

Our @ucflangs.bsky.social Summer Plenary today has a range of crucially important panels on current developments in languages provision in HE.

First up: David Clarke (Cardiff University) & Derek Hird (Lancaster University) on Modern Languages in a Global Humanities Landscape.

Nominations: ECA REP and Slavonic and East European Rep We are calling for nominations to the UCFL Executive Committee of suitably qualified people for the following roles: An ECA Representative and a Slavonic and East European Representative. The role …

We are calling for nominations to the UCFL Executive Committee for the following roles:

- ECA Representative

- Slavonic and East European Representative.

Please see our website for the role descriptions and the nominations forms: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/07/03/n...

Fewer pupils in less affluent English schools taking languages, survey finds Less than half taking foreign languages GCSEs compared with 69% in most prosperous state schools

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

UCFL Small Grants Scheme UCFL Small Grants Scheme The Scheme: Context Following targeted support to UCFL representative groups in the devolved regions/jurisdictions, UCFL has made available small-scale grant funding to fac…

The UCFL small grant scheme is currently open for applications, with a deadline on 4 July: university-council-for-languages.org/ucml-small-g...
Applications for the Postgraduate Bursaries are also welcomed, with the same application deadline : university-council-for-languages.org/ucml-pg-burs....

Learning German has many benefits for young people – and it’s not as hard as its reputation suggests Learning a language gives you unique insights into different cultures, societies and perspectives.

As a very late contribution to #ShoutOutForGerman, a little piece on the benefits of learning German (and any language, really!) & why it’s not as hard as some may think: theconversation.com/learning-ger... #languages #German #LanguageLearning @ucflangs.bsky.social @uk.diplo.de @ags-gbi.bsky.social

A rare opportunity for a permanent lectureship in German in our fabulous School! Please circulate to your networks. @ucfl-eca.bsky.social @ucflangs.bsky.social

Regrettably, Foreign Languages continue to be marked too harshly at GCSE. Nobody wants ‘easy’ grades, but fairness is a good starting point.

@ucflangs.bsky.social

University of Nottingham cuts target language teaching staff The University of Nottingham cuts all casual staff at its Language Centre, with evening classes going.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

UCFL Summer Plenary

Sign up now for our UCFL Summer Plenary on 4 July!
You can join online or in person - registration closes on 18 June!
Secure your place here: ilcs.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

UCFL Summer 2025 Call for Nominations We are calling for nominations to the UCFL Executive Committee of suitably qualified people for the following roles: Vice Chair Research, Vice Chair External Engagemen…

UCFL is calling for nominations to these roles:
- Vice Chair Research
- Vice Chair External Engagement & Communications
- 6-month Project Coordinator Replacement
- Early Career Academic Representative
- Slavonic & East European Representative
👉 university-council-for-languages.org/2025/05/26/u...

Universities on the brink? Education Committee launches new inquiry - Committees - UK Parliament The Education Committee has today launched a new inquiry into the financial viability of universities as they face the challenges of rising costs and falling numbers of international student...

committees.parliament.uk/committee/20...

University of Aberdeen's plans to cut modern language degrees were 'rushed' - review The University of Aberdeen says it accepts there were

A review by @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social into how their consultation on Modern Languages programmes has been handled last year, found decision-making was unstructured and dominated by finances. The university said it accepted there had been "missteps".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

University of Aberdeen's plans to cut modern language degrees were 'rushed' - review The University of Aberdeen says it accepts there were

A review by @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social into how their consultation on Modern Languages programmes has been handled last year, found decision-making was unstructured and dominated by finances. The university said it accepted there had been "missteps".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

An important call for evidence on the current state of Higher Education - in particular the impact of Government policy on international students and higher education insolvency protections. Do consider contributing if you can 💪

Universities on the brink? Education Committee launches new inquiry - Committees - UK Parliament The Education Committee has today launched a new inquiry into the financial viability of universities as they face the challenges of rising costs and falling numbers of international student...

committees.parliament.uk/committee/20...

A front view of a yellow tram in a street in Lisbon. There are white houses on both sides of the street. Text says 'Study Abroad in Portugal Visa Information Session, Consulate-General of Portugal (Manchester), Online, 25 June 2025, 14:30. There is a QR code pointing to the registration page for this event, which is https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/register/LgiVUmFRQz6h3UJIMVFnug

Working with the Portuguese Consulate-General (Manchester) and @ucflangs.bsky.social to deliver an online student visa information session. Tackling misinformation and encourage students to participate in a #YearAbroad / #SemesterAbroad experience. Register here: uofglasgow.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Leicester considers cuts to the departments of chemistry, history, modern languages, film studies, education and geography, geology and the environment. Why chemistry and modern languages are repeated in so many of these redundancy scare news? Soon there is nothing to be cut...

Stop cuts to Modern Languages at Bangor University Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

Any manager who contemplates cutting these languages at Bangor is cutting off the people of North Wales (and others who study there) from learning about and engaging with the world. Dreadful, and must be stopped. Please sign.

chng.it/Q6Vb6GKccr

Mae Ieithoedd Modern ym Mhrifysgol Bangor dan fygythiad / Modern Languages at Bangor University are under threat.

Manylion a deiseb yma / Details and petition here:
stopcutsinmlatbangor.uk

Sign the Petition Stop cuts to Modern Languages at Bangor University

'Bangor University’s Executive is proposing to discontinue German and Chinese ... Furthermore, the proposal includes the immediate closure of the Languages for All scheme which offers language courses ... for students, staff and members of the local community in North Wales.'

👇

chng.it/ssyWym2669

Support languages colleagues at Bangor & sign the petition chng.it/yqLgGnZSR7