It's been a busy summer for @inmfl ! We recently won @newcastleuni.bsky.social's Inclusive Education, Life Long Learning and CPD Award. For teachers interested in our project here's a little video about us: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT9R... #linguistics #edusky

Time for a reality check: Britain cannot be a big player on the world stage unless we speak more languages | Sophia Smith Galer

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-...)

Now that even the Australian Prime Minister called his opposition “delulu”, should Gen-Z slang be included in the dictionary? Really enjoyed taking part in this debate on Singaporean radio! Recording available on YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4QC...) & Spotify (open.spotify.com/episode/3Fpr...)

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"

Including linguistics in A-level language classes is easy and effective according to teachers: an accessible summary of our 2024 @berj-2025.bsky.social study (doi.org/10.1002/berj...) is now available via @oasisdatabase.bsky.social: www.oasis-database.org/details/mctu... #linguistics #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 👇🏼

@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...

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...

Our work was cited in the new @hepi-news.bsky.social report as an example of how #linguistics can help to reverted the decline in language learning in schools 👇

New research published in @languageeducation.bsky.social, available open access here (tinyurl.com/bdf262jp) and a short thread on the work below. Many thanks to the reviewers & editors for their feedback and to @leverhulme.ac.uk for funding support.

Our permanent German lectureship now has an extended deadline of 21st July. Apply here: jobs.leeds.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx...

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

A fantastic article from Sascha Stollhans at the University of Leeds on the myriad benefits of learning the German language. theconversation.com/learning-ger... @universityofleeds.bsky.social @saschastollhans.bsky.social

“Learning a language really unlocks the understanding of another culture”, Minister of State for School Standards Catherine McKinnell joined us at this year’s Sommerfest at the German Embassy where we celebrated German language & culture.

“We’re at real risk of language education being accessible only to young people in the most affluent schools in England. This would be a disaster, shutting many young people out of essential education” : @cforsdick.bsky.social

The latest #Language Trends survey makes for yet more damning reading. The Curriculum and Assessment Review must grapple with this and pull no punches #edusky #langsky. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Prof. Stafford's review of the new Disney Hercules musical is out - complete with some great photos and video-links... Enjoy! theconversation.com/with-fresh-s...

#WhyLearnGerman? With the UK & EU working on a Youth Experience Scheme, new opportunities will open up, especially for those with German skills! And as @saschastollhans.bsky.social explains, learning German is "frontloaded": you'll encounter the tricky bits first. theconversation.com/learning-ger...

Job klaxon! We are advertising for a permanent lecturer in German (Teaching and Research). Come and join our team here at the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. Deadline 9th July. @lcsleeds.bsky.social jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...

Another #language piece in the @theconversation.com @uk.theconversation.com (by our own @saschastollhans.bsky.social) focusing on #German and the benefit of language learning/of a curriculum that introduces students to #linguistics and linguistic concepts theconversation.com/learning-ger... #edusky

Learning a language gives you unique insights into different cultures, societies and perspectives.

Join us at Leeds! It’s a wonderful place to work!

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

Impressions from yesterday's Sommerfest celebrating German language and culture at the German Ambassador's Residence.

Curriculum and Assessment Review: ILCS, ALL and UCFL issue a statement. 'The development of a sustainable model for language provision across the whole of the educational sector is of the highest concern to all members of the subject community' Read the statement: ilcs.sas.ac.uk/research-pol...

Stop cuts to Modern Languages at Bangor University 👉Sign the petition: chng.it/K2zRY6Jqqt 👉Share the petition with family/friends/networks. 👉Send emails outlining your objections. For details and templates visit the website: www.stopcutsinmlatbangor.uk/home/

For anyone who would like to hear me muse about #languages, #education, #linguistics and #penguins, a recording of my inaugural lecture is now available: youtu.be/VACFboUKp_U Thank you very much to @grabill.bsky.social and @emmacayley.bsky.social for their wonderful introduction and response!

🚨Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review Interim Report, we share thoughts on how a languages curriculum enriched with #linguistics can address challenges for languages study in schools theconversation.com/linguistics-... #edusky #langsky @languageonthemove.bsky.social @ucflangs.bsky.social

Good news that the government is working with the EU on setting up a youth mobility/“experience” scheme! This is a step in the right direction: young (and not so young) people benefit hugely from intercultural experiences! ahc.leeds.ac.uk/languages/ne... @lcsleeds.bsky.social @ucflangs.bsky.social

🧠💬 What if primary language lessons weren’t just about grammar—but also about empathy, creativity, and global awareness? In a new Languages in UK Education piece, @suzannegraham.bsky.social and Alison Porter rethink the purpose of early language learning.📖 : www.lspjournal.com/post/rethink...

🎉 We’re delighted to present our new LSP series: Languages in UK Education, guest-edited by @cforsdick.bsky.social and Wendy Ayres-Bennett. The series explores how the UK can better support linguistic diversity and respond to the languages crisis. 🌍📘 📖 Read more: lspjournal.com

'Rethinking the UK Languages Curriculum: Arguments for the Inclusion of Linguistics' by @mishee54.bsky.social, Alice Corr, Anna Havinga, @jrkasstan.bsky.social & Norma Schifano argues for linguistics in the UK Mod Langs curriculum. Read it #OA: bit.ly/MLO-linguisitics @ciol-linguists.bsky.social

I am so delighted to announce that we are #hiring! A two year full-time teaching and research post in French 🇫🇷 Come and join our big and beautiful School of Languages, Cultures and Societies in leafy Leeds! Please post to your networks. jobs.leeds.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx... @lcsleeds.bsky.social

Delighted to share that our latest article on the #Learnerconversations project has been published! Thank you to @saschastollhans.bsky.social and @juditheberharter.bsky.social who edited this special issue of the #GFL journal. gfl-journal.de/current-issu... @eltresearch.bsky.social

New article out on teaching gender-inclusive language under divisive concepts legislation. Already laughably outdated, yet all the more urgent…

A fascinating special issue on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in German Language Teaching by @juditheberharter.bsky.social and @saschastollhans.bsky.social in gfl-journal.de @lcsleeds.bsky.social

The @inmfl.bsky.social Project bagged its first award last night at Newcastle University in the category "Inclusive Education, Lifelong Learning & CPD"! This success goes in large part to many dedicated teachers who have co-created, piloted, and tested the materials developed on the project so far!

🗣️ By integrating cultural capital into the curriculum, language education can become a gateway for students to gain a broader understanding of the world, says this MFL specialist

New blog with Julia Snell @snelljulia.bsky.social published by the Higher Education Policy Institute @hepi-news.bsky.social 💡We encourage Higher Education senior leaders to take proactive steps to tackle accent bias to foster a more inclusive and equitable Higher Education system.

Had a great day in Dublin yesterday, discussing inclusivity in language teaching and learning with colleagues from @ucdslcl.bsky.social! Thank you very much for the invitation and your generous hospitality! www.ucd.ie/slcl/newsand...

Are you a school language teacher? Have you signed up to the MFL teacher conference? @universityofleeds.bsky.social @lcsleeds.bsky.social on 20th June. Registration is free but places are limited #languages #mfl #mfltwitterati More info and programme on 👇 artsoutreach.leeds.ac.uk/our-activiti...

📣 We’ve been shortlisted for a Newcastle University Engagement and Place Award in the Inclusive Education, Life Long Learning and CPD category! Thank you, @newcastleuni.bsky.social, for this recognition - we’re delighted!

We're very much looking forward to this - “Watch your language! A linguist‘s tale of education, science and scholarship” @saschastollhans.bsky.social professorial inaugural lecture on 7 May at 5pm. We've got our tickets, to get yours register via Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prof-sasch...

I will be giving my inaugural professorial lecture “Watch your language! A linguist‘s tale of education, science and scholarship” on 7 May, 5pm, @universityofleeds.bsky.social Everyone is welcome to attend in person or online! More details and registration: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prof-sasch...

You have until the 4th of April to apply for the Linguastars Residential! A great opportunity to explore what it’s is like studying languages at uni! For more information and how to apply, read below 👇 #languages #mfl #mfltwitterati

The next stage of the Curriculum and Assessment Review will look to create a more inclusive and fair system, address subject-specific challenges, and assess available pathways beyond GCSEs. Find out more ➡️ www.gov.uk/government/p...

Abogeil! The language of German teens on YouTube is now out 🎉🎉🎉 Open access here: doi.org/10.14618/ama... Please buy it for your libraries here: buchshop.ids-mannheim.de/publikatione... @idsmannheim.bsky.social #openaccess

"The benefits of learning German are clear: it provides students with communication skills and enhances career opportunities, but it also fosters closer economic & cultural ties between the UK & Germany." Full article, co-authored by the German Embassy & the DAAD, linked here. #ShoutOutForGerman