Sir, From September this year it will no longer be possible to study a language to a degree or postgraduate level at Bradford University.

It is not just the Department of Modern European Languages at Bradford which is struggling: it’s just another example of a growing trend away from language learning in the UK, a trend which will greatly affect our role on the international stage.

Recently a number of top EU interpreters spoke out on the current shortage of interpreters, pointing out that there will not be enough people with sufficient skills to replace them on retirement. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), it is a common misconception that the rest of the world speaks English. Interpreters and translators play a valuable role in aiding communication in such varied fields as industry, politics, law and entertainment. Even the England football team enjoy the benefits of an Italian interpreter.

Learning languages is not just about learning to communicate; it is also learning about a different culture, a different way of life, something that pupils and students who do not study languages miss out on. The Government’s new plan to bring in language learning at foundation level in primary schools, while in itself a massive step forward, only serves to highlight the inconsistencies when it comes to having a comprehensive language-learning strategy. As languages are no longer compulsory at GCSE level, the numbers studying at that level have dropped significantly; this then impacts on the numbers of students studying languages at a higher level.

We in this department at Bradford University are petitioning the Government to rethink its strategy, and bring back compulsory languages at GCSE level.

Katie Harvey
University of Bradford

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