Sir Albert Sloman envisioned languages at the heart of the University of Essex. ❗ Now, his legacy is in danger. Sign the petition: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Short-term savings, long-term national loss? When university “financial sustainability and future success” harms UK economic growth and diplomacy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Did you know that the University of Essex had a waiting list for their British Sign Language course? ❗ It is in danger now! ✍ Sign their petition to urge the Executive Committee to reconsider the large-scale restructuring proposal: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The University of Essex has proposed to discontinue most of their undergraduate language provisions as well as the Languages for All programme as part of large-scale restructuring. Sign their petition to urge the Executive Committee to reconsider the proposal: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Vice Chancellor at the University of Birmingham Adam Tickell warns about a "national catastrophe" unfolding as universities close modern languages courses. Institutional mergeers may protect our "national cultural assets". Read the article here: www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

Step up, get involved, make a difference! Election of UCFL Membership Secretary – Spring 2026 More information here: university-council-for-languages.org/2026/03/elec...

The UCFL Small Grants call is out. ❗ Deadline: 20 Febrary 2026 ❗ More information here: university-council-for-languages.org/our-research...

And another petition, sadly 😪 You might be aware that the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS) at Heriot-Watt University is under threat. More information and to sign the petition: heriotwatt.web.ucu.org.uk/2026/02/05/s...

YOU SIGNATURE MATTERS! Help us save Modern Languages at Leicester. Sign the petition: www.change.org/p/save-moder...

You can still join the REF 2029 Town Hall event on Strategy, People and Research Environment (SPRE) tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 February, 11 am to 12 pm 2029.ref.ac.uk/about/how-to...

Have you signed up ❓ thepienews.com/duolingo-lan...

The UCFL Small Grants call is out. ❗ Deadline: 20 Febrary 2026 ❗ More information here: university-council-for-languages.org/our-research...

Have you heard the recent House of Lords debate led by Baroness Coussins (Chair of the APPG for Modern Languages), which addresses language education across schools and universities in the UK? Baroness Coussins’ intervention is at 15:37 and can be viewed here: parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...

Watch the videos by Professor Emma Cayley and Darren Paffey MP on why to take part. 💰 Universities can win money for their Modern Languages Departments. Anyone with a ac.uk address can take part. You can find a link in the article to sign up for the challenge: thepienews.com/duolingo-lan...

It’s time to celebrate the German language in the UK! This is your chance to share your language learning highlights with the world. #ShoutOutForGerman bsky.app/profile/uk.d...

Join the REF 2029 Town Halls. They are free and open to all: 2029.ref.ac.uk/about/how-to...

A big thank you to Professor Jane Stuart-Smith, chair, and Professor Susan Harrow, deputy chair of Sub‑panel 26 (Modern Languages and Linguistics) who delivered an inspiring presentation at UCFL Winter Plenary on the work in preparation for REF 2029. Check out: 2029.ref.ac.uk/about/how-to...

Don't forget that UCFL winter plenary is this coming Friday, 16 January. Check the details here: ilcs.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...

UCFL is seeking nominations for six roles. Deadline: 16 January. More information here: university-council-for-languages.org/2025/12/ucfl... ➡️ Chair of Wales ➡️ Early Career Academic Rep ➡️ French Studies Rep ➡️ Linguistics Rep ➡️ Lusophone Studies Rep ➡️ Slavonic and Eastern European Studies Rep

We start the New Year with UCFL Winter Plenary. You can join online or in person. 🏃🏻‍♀️Hurry up! In-person registration will close on Monday 5th January 2026. Book now: ilcs.sas.ac.uk/news-events/... 3️⃣interesting panels and many nice people to talk to.

🎉 Excellent news! Our Languages Research Database is now live! Check it out here: university-council-for-languages.org/research/lan...

Have you seen the updates and changes of REF 2029? Check it out here: 2029.ref.ac.uk/resources/cl...

Did you know that today is National Linguistics Day? www.ciol.org.uk/national-lin...

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...

Help the the University of Leicester and the University of Nottingham save languages. Links in comments.

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.

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...

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...

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...

Have you seen ALL's response to the CAR Report? You can read it here: www.all-languages.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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....

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...

Languages are the instrument to peace. What an incredible panel event hosted by @richardbakermp.bsky.social

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....

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.

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...

It's European Day of Languages today! 😀 "Languages open hearts and minds" - to connect us, inspire new ideas and broaden horizons.

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...

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...

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...

Excellent letter.

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-...)

Bit more on the Guardian liveblog here www.theguardian.com/education/li...

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"

Lost in translation - the case for learning modern foreign languages www.ft.com/content/c9f3...

Can universities help re-route languages pathways? whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/07/hope... @cforsdick.bsky.social @emmacayley.bsky.social @nickhillman.bsky.social @ucflangs.bsky.social