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UCFL - University Council For Languages
@ucflangs.bsky.social
The University Council For Languages: the national voice of research & teaching in languages, cultures, societies, and related disciplines in UK HE.
In the East Midlands, the University of Leicester is the only provider of Italian at degree level. An now they are under threat. Please sign the petition:

www.change.org/p/save-moder...
November 20, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Help the the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham save languages. Links in comments.
November 17, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Language cold spots are emerging: the East Midlands provision is vulnerable if threats of closure at Leicester and Nottingham are carried out.

Please sign their petitions! Links in comments.
November 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
You might have heard that the University of Nottingham plans to suspend all languages courses. This is very disappointing and heartbreaking.

Here you can find their petition aimed at protecting Modern Languages at Nottingham. You can show your support by signing it.
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
Sign the Petition
Stop the removal of Modern Languages courses at the University of Nottingham!
www.change.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The University of Nottingham has announced the suspension of all Modern Languages and Cultures (MLC) programmes from September 2026.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
November 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The University Council for Languages (UCFL) welcomes the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Government’s response.

Read our reflection here: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/11/07/a...
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Have you seen ALL's response to the CAR Report?
You can read it here: www.all-languages.org.uk/wp-content/u...
November 6, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Read the article by Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Charles Forsdick in the Language Learning special collection on languages education in the school curriculum in England to learn more.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
November 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
What effect do school policies have on uptake and achievement in languages at Key Stage 4?

If you are interested to learn more, read @karenforbes.bsky.social article as well as Zhu Hua, Elin Arfon and Ann-Marie Hunter’s article

www.tandfonline.com/journals/rll...
Language Education in the Curriculum
Explore the article collection: Language Education in the Curriculum. Published in The Language Learning Journal.
www.tandfonline.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Languages are the instrument to peace.

What an incredible panel event hosted by @richardbakermp.bsky.social
October 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Have you seen that the Language & Society Journal special issue on the Curriculum & Assessment Review editorial by Norbert Pachler, Zhu Hua, Wendy Ayres-Bennett and Charles Forsdick is now online?
Definitely worth a read:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Rethinking language education in the school curriculum in England
This Special Collection comprises contributions to the debate on languages across the school curriculum from leading researchers and practitioners in the field. It aims to support the strengthening...
www.tandfonline.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
On Monday 20th October, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages held a meeting reviewing recent reports and data on the challenges facing languages in the UK, from schools to universities and beyond.
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Did you know that you can find us on LinkedIn too?
Stay connected, follow #UCFL for updates, insights, and the latest news.
linkedin.com/company/univ...
The University Council For Languages (UCFL) | LinkedIn
The University Council For Languages (UCFL) | 71 followers on LinkedIn. The unifying voice for languages in the UK | What are our aims? 1/ To promote research, teaching and learning in languages, lit...
linkedin.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
It's European Day of Languages today! 😀

"Languages open hearts and minds" - to connect us, inspire new ideas and broaden horizons.
September 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
21 November ILCS event on thinking strategically about the challenges faced by language educators.
Don't miss it, sign up now!
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/24/t...
Thinking Strategically: Challenges Facing Language Educators – ILCS
An online event with the ILCS focussing on issues faced by language educators will take place on 21st November 2025, featuring Megan Bowler (Oxford), Emma Cayley (Leeds and UCFL), and Charles Forsd…
university-council-for-languages.org
September 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Mapping inequality in SHAPE

British Academy report shows Cold Spots in SHAPE Provision.

An important read, check it out on our website:

university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/12/b...
British Academy Report Shows Cold Spots In SHAPE Provision
With more students than ever studying at local universities, a recent report published by the British Academy shows growing cuts of humanities, social sciences, and arts degree programmes in rural,…
university-council-for-languages.org
September 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We are delighted that Emma Cayley, Current Chair of UCFL has been appointed to the REF subpanel for 2029.
university-council-for-languages.org/2025/09/05/n...
National appointment to REF subpanel for UCFL Chair
Emma Cayley, Current Chair of UCFL has been appointed to the REF subpanel for 2029. Emma said of her reaction to the news: ‘I am honoured and humbled by this appointment and looking forward v…
university-council-for-languages.org
September 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by UCFL - University Council For Languages
Excellent letter.
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
August 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by UCFL - University Council For Languages
This is excellent. Languages matter for all kinds of reasons, and governments should be pressed to facilitate and encourage their take-up in schools and universities.
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
August 24, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The APPG Modern Languages has shared a Letter to The Times by Baroness Coussins, Co-chair of the APPG, in response to their recent leading article arguing falling languages uptake narrows young people's horizons (www.thetimes.com/comment/the-...)
August 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Reposted by UCFL - University Council For Languages
Bit more on the Guardian liveblog here
www.theguardian.com/education/li...
August 21, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Vicky Gough, British Council’s schools adviser, said: “We need the success of Spanish reflected across all languages through exchanges, cultural programmes and real-world connections that demonstrate why languages matter. [...] young people from less privileged backgrounds miss out on opportunities"
August 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Lost in translation - the case for learning modern foreign languages
www.ft.com/content/c9f3...
Lost in translation
Even in the language app era there are benefits to learning a foreign tongue
www.ft.com
August 17, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by UCFL - University Council For Languages
‘2023 polling for the @britishacademy.bsky.social found 71 per cent of Britons would support making language study compulsory in schools.’

Pleased to see this FT editorial makes the case for learning foreign languages

on.ft.com/4mP3rrf
Lost in translation
Even in the language app era there are benefits to learning a foreign tongue
on.ft.com
August 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM