Widening participation in language study

07 February 2008

Routes into Languages, a HEFCE-funded programme designed to increase and widen participation in language study, has been launched. The programme targets Key Stages 4 and 5 and higher education (HE), and aims to support the national role of HE languages as a motor for economic and civic regeneration. The funding for the three-year, £8 million programme is provided by HEFCE and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. There are over 50 universities involved.

John Selby, HEFCE Director for Education and Participation, said:

'HEFCE recognises that the strength of the UK's knowledge economy will be enhanced through more young people studying modern languages. In a highly connected world, these skills are vital to effective communications. We are therefore very pleased to have initiated and to be the original funder of the Routes into Languages programme.'

Professor Michael Kelly, Director of the programme, further commented:

'Through the regional consortia and national networks working together a genuine spirit of co-operation and enthusiasm has been generated. This powerful alliance will make a real difference by increasing the take-up of languages among our young people.'

Routes into Languages is coordinated by a team at the University of Southampton. The three strands of the programme include nine regional consortia, two national networks and three research projects.

The programme was developed by three organisations working in partnership: the University Council of Modern Languages, the HE Academy Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, and CILT, the National Centre for Languages.

Further information is available from the Routes into Languages web-site.

Page last updated 20 March 2012