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Review of languages provision published

A review has been published to investigate the health of modern foreign languages.

Strategically important subjects: modern foreign languages (MFL)

Modern foreign languages is recognised as a strategically important and vulnerable subject. As part of our programme of support for these subjects, we support modern foreign languages in a variety of ways.

Areas of support

  • Routes into languages
    This is a £4.5 million programme to encourage the take-up of language courses in England.
  • Language-support initiatives
    We fund a series of initiatives that are designed to address specific language-learning aims.
  • Demand-raising projects
    Universities and colleges are carrying out a range of projects to raise aspiration and demand for language study among young people.

Review of modern foreign languages

We have published a review that investigates the health of modern foreign languages provision in English HE. The review, led by Professor Michael Worton, Vice-Provost, University College London, makes recommendations to HEFCE, Government and other partners aimed at the long-term sustainability and vitality of modern foreign languages. It looks at recent languages policy and the impact of investment in this area.

We received the interim report in August. Following discussion of the report in October 2009, the strategically important subjects advisory group will make recommendations for discussion at the HEFCE Board meeting on 27 November, after which we will publish HEFCE's response to the report.

A common dataset

As part of our continuing attempt to assess the health of modern foreign languages, we worked with the former DfES, HESA, Universities UK and CILT to agree a common set of data. This data enables us to monitor the trends in modern foreign languages across various levels of study and subjects of study.

Further information

For more information about modern foreign languages, contact Davina Benton, tel 0117 931 7480, e-mail d.benton@hefce.ac.uk.

Last updated 11 November 2009