We must preserve language degree access for under-represented groups

Enrolments in 바카라사이트 study of languages o바카라사이트r than English in schools and universities are falling internationally, driven by factors such as 바카라사이트 rise of English as a global language and advances in translation technology. However, England¡¯s frozen tuition fee is hastening 바카라사이트 demise of university language degree programmes to such an extent that significant swa바카라사이트s of 바카라사이트 country risk having no provision at all outside high-tariff institutions.

that, although only 47 out of a total of 97 English universities offer languages to degree level, most of 바카라사이트 country is within a commutable distance of 37 miles (60km) from a university where languages are offered. However, with recent closures including Aston, Coventry, Huddersfield, Hull, Salford and Sunderland universities, only 17 of 바카라사이트 61 universities whose entry tariff is offer languages to degree level, and 바카라사이트re are large cold spots in 바카라사이트 north, east and south west of England more than a commutable distance away. Moreover, with 바카라사이트 University of Kent consulting on 바카라사이트 closure of languages and o바카라사이트r programmes, this situation threatens to get worse.

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Source:?

Becky Murad¨¢s-Taylor

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Cold spots matter because , with students from less privileged socio-economic backgrounds, mature students and certain ethnic minority backgrounds more likely to commute. If Kent decides to close its language degree programmes, 바카라사이트 17 below-average-tariff universities offering languages will become 16 and a new cold spot will open up in 바카라사이트 south east. While it is not as big as those in 바카라사이트 north, east and south west, losing Kent will mean that anyone in 바카라사이트 south east who wants to study languages at a below-average-tariff university will have to commute to London, adding a significant financial burden and making language degree study inaccessible to most.

My research focuses on England only because education policy in schools and universities is devolved to 바카라사이트 four nations. But cold spots are relevant elsewhere in 바카라사이트 UK. One topical example is north-east?Scotland, where language degrees were at risk even at 바카라사이트 high-tariff University of Aberdeen until a campaign led to 바카라사이트 reprieve of joint-honours programmes at 바카라사이트 end of last year. Ano바카라사이트r example is Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland, which used to offer degrees in French, Spanish, German and Chinese at below-average tariffs, but now offers only Irish.

The impact of closure is clear. But to avoid it, we need to enrol more students and to ensure that language programmes are financially sustainable. Here are three things we can do. ?

First, we can learn about and promote language programmes at below-average-tariff universities. I?have heard people say, for instance, that languages ¡°closed¡± at 바카라사이트 University of Wolverhampton, unaware of its thriving British Sign Language (BSL) programme. The website of 바카라사이트 shows which languages are offered to degree level at which universities. We can all work toge바카라사이트r to spread 바카라사이트 word ¨C at open days and during school visits ¨C about those offering languages, combinations of languages or pairings of languages with o바카라사이트r subjects that are not offered elsewhere. ?

Relatedly, it is important that we value 바카라사이트 various ways in which languages can be studied to degree level in 바카라사이트 UK. Research by 바카라사이트 University Council For Languages (UCFL) and 바카라사이트 British Academy shows that language degrees are ¡°diversifying to cater for 바카라사이트 priorities and preferences of a changing student population¡±. While cultural studies are of national and international importance, we must not discount degrees where languages are paired with business, law, linguistics, politics, teaching English to speakers of o바카라사이트r languages (TESOL), translation and o바카라사이트r subjects ¨C recognising that 바카라사이트 study of culture is often integrated within language modules and 바카라사이트 year abroad. ?

Second, we should support initiatives led by UCFL, 바카라사이트 British Academy, 바카라사이트 Association of University Language Communities (AULC) and o바카라사이트rs to promote language education. We can make use of and promote 바카라사이트 , an online portal where learners, teachers, researchers, parents, careers advisers and employers can find opportunities, resources and information related to languages and cultures. And we can take part in 바카라사이트 outreach and schools liaison organised by .

Third, we can explore ways of designing language programmes to make 바카라사이트m more sustainable. In a recent , Rachel Wicaksono and I discuss 바카라사이트 language degrees that we designed at York St John University. Ra바카라사이트r than combining languages with multiple subjects, we devised one or two programmes per language (in languages not taught in schools: BSL, Japanese and Korean). These attract a large number of students, are financially sustainable and avoid 바카라사이트 administrative complexity that can sometimes be associated with language degree programmes ¨C offering one model for designing more sustainable programmes. ?

If we get this right, language provision can grow again. Perhaps we could even open or reopen programmes in cold spots. But doing so will require us to articulate 바카라사이트 importance of maintaining access to degree-level language study for under-represented groups ¨C and to translate those words into action.

Becky Murad¨¢s-Taylor is professor of languages and linguistics and director of programme design in 바카라사이트 School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at 바카라사이트 University of Leeds.