Faced with the death of modern foreign language learning in England, schools and universities advocate for its resuscitation.
Despite 75% of the global population not speaking any English at all, there exists the nationwide assumption that language learning is unnecessary for native English speakers, ‘because everyone speaks English nowadays.’ This false theory is one of the many factors that has contributed to a lack of language-learning in England; we have seen a 46% decrease in the number of modern language GCSE entries between the years 1997/98 and 2020/21. This falling enthusiasm for language learning, and the rarity of students who choose to study languages, is an undeniably misfortunate occurrence, potentially fuelling dangerous ideas of English superiority and isolation, making it a problem that schools in the country are fighting to change.
Combatting this decline in language learning in the UK, and encouraging the current A-level languages students, Thursday 12th January saw the Langton Language Centre, in association with the University of Kent, hold the ‘Sixth Form Modern Languages Conference’. Taking place on the campus of the university, the day involved 150 year 12 students, from a number of schools, meeting to audit a series of lectures focussed on varying aspects of Spanish, French and German language and culture. With aims to encourage the learning of modern foreign languages and to widen the students’ cultural understanding of their chosen language, lectures were given by teachers from both the University of Kent and Simon Langton Girl’s School, as well as speakers from the respective embassies giving their time to talk to students. The topics ranged from looking at how Spanish films are dubbed, to exploring German heritage and culture, and learning ‘Why French is like Cockney,’ – David Stalley, head of the Langton Language Centre, described how the day achieved the aim of ‘getting linguists together to give them a whole day of language possibilities.’
Furthering this goal, the lunchtime for students also involved a series of language games, and a taster session in a new language, such as Arabic or Mandarin, giving students an idea of the world of languages in existence outside the A-level curriculum. Pupils were also given the opportunity to listen and speak to current students studying modern foreign languages at the University of Kent, learning more about the application process and the opportunities available to language students at university. As Ela Deren, a student at Simon Langton Girl’s Grammar School, studying both French and Spanish at A-level, described, ‘It’s priceless to have something to help set me apart from hundreds of university candidates. We were extremely fortunate to have this right at our doorstep.’
This immersive experience clearly left many students with a widened understanding of the language they are in the process of learning, and an extra insight into the culture surrounding it. With this, and the added value of information on studying languages at university, the fight against the fall in language learning is clearly on, and next year’s conference is awaited with much anticipation.
