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Million pound boost for modern foreign languages
An additional £1.2 million to support the Routes into Languages initiative.
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 £6.5 million programme to encourage the take-up of modern foreign 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
In October 2009, we published a review that investigated the health of modern foreign languages provision in English HE.
The review, led by Professor Michael Worton, Vice-Provost, University College London, made recommendations to HEFCE, Government and other partners aimed at the long-term sustainability and vitality of modern foreign languages. It looked at recent languages policy and the impact of investment in this area.
A dissemination event for the sector took place in December 2009. The language stakeholders named within the recommendations of the report met in February 2010 and agreed an action plan for taking the recommendations forward.
Action plan for taking forward recommendations for modern foreign languages
[ Download Action plan for taking forward recommendations for modern foreign languages as Adobe PDF 63K | Download Action plan for taking forward recommendations for modern foreign languages as MS Word 75K ]
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 Linda Allebon, tel 0117 931 7237, e-mail l.allebon@hefce.ac.uk.
Last updated 11 August 2011