The University of Exeter's plan to cut 150 jobs, disproportionately affecting humanities, is the latest blow to modern languages in the UK, according to letters published in The Guardian. Sara Robertson, Raisa McNab, and John Worne, leaders of language and translation institutes, warn that Britain risks becoming a monolingual island in a multilingual world.
Impact on Education and Economy
When universities close language departments, they reduce the pipeline of teachers, further diminishing school provision and limiting students' ability to study languages at university. Regional closures disproportionately affect disadvantaged students who are more likely to study locally.
The economic cost is significant: research shows a lack of language skills costs the UK economy approximately 3.5% of GDP annually in lost export trade. One-third of UK employers face recruitment difficulties due to language skill shortages. However, small and medium-sized enterprises with language capabilities are 30% more successful in exporting.
Strategic Investment Needed
Universities often cite declining student numbers and financial pressures as reasons for closure. However, short-term thinking ignores the value of language programmes, which bolster the economy and nurture skills vital for international trade and diplomatic relations.
The Institute of Translation and Interpreting, the Association of Translation Companies, and the Chartered Institute of Linguists published a report, 'The strategic case for languages in UK higher education,' sent to vice-chancellors urging them to treat language provision as a strategic investment. Few responded positively.
Social Mobility at Risk
Dr Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on modern languages, shared his personal experience as a working-class foster kid who benefited from language study. He stated, 'As languages are so vital for the economy and the future of this country, urgent and concerted action is needed.' He calls for government incentives to promote languages at GCSE and A-level, and for language degrees to receive strategic funding.
Janet Fraser, a chartered linguist, questioned whether former education secretary Estelle Morris's lament over language course closures is linked to her decision to remove compulsory modern languages from the GCSE curriculum over 20 years ago.
Broader Cultural Consequences
Ilona Marchant of London emphasized that learning languages opens doors to other cultures and worldviews, complementing studies in international law and human rights. She warned, 'Without the opportunity to learn languages, celebrate other cultures and peoples we risk ending up with more isolationist and extreme nationalism.'
