'The number of English language and literature academics fell by 8 per cent to 4,680 – among the largest decrease of all disciplines.
And the number employed in modern languages dropped 7 per cent to 4,890. This is 17 per cent below peak levels in 2015-16.' 1/3
The dismal tide accelerates, sweeping from Coventry through Sheffield Hallam to London South Bank. 1/2
These were mayoral 🇫🇷 elections, so any national extrapolation is of course hazardous. But if you go by voting in towns with > 100,000 population, one cautious conclusion from last night’s voting is this : the broad non-populist centre can hold
Merci !
'The impact of this policy will be particularly severe for women. In Afghanistan, girls have been excluded from secondary education and women from higher education for over four years.' 1/2
Finnish President Alexander Stubb says Brexit was a “colossal mistake”
“It’s like amputating your leg without medical reason for doing it”
There are other reasons for the UK government not to award or continue Palantir contracts but this statement of intent by its CEO must surely be decisive?
'Students from affluent backgrounds are rarely required to justify their curiosity so narrowly – they are trusted to enjoy learning and to assume that things will work out – while state-educated students are often asked to translate interest into employability before they are allowed to pursue it'
Finland's President Alexander Stubb with a confident explanation why countries can't narrowly be judged on GDP alone. Welfare system nations aren't just the happiest but also economically successful. [Spain is currently the EU's economic powerhouse.]
In the end, what are countries for? People.
Our new piece out today in Times Higher Education about the threats to Geography in the UK - particularly fieldwork - please do share. It links to a recent snapshot survey on the challenges being faced in UK HE, which highlights the inequities of the challenges, but also fears of what is yet to come
'The ground-breaking study from the University of Stirling will examine the educational, economic, social and cultural factors that impact on language learning, analysing the different approaches and outcomes in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.'
'New data from the Ministry of Justice show that studying with The Open University (OU) delivers “significant reductions” in reoffending amongst prison learners.'
'It also found that those studying committed 37 per cent fewer offences within a year of release.' 1/2
As the famous saying goes….”The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Likewise, the best time to start weaning ourselves off dependence on the US……..
'The furore centres on recruitment for a handful of places in subjects such as music, classics and modern languages, which are prey to the most gaping of educational disparities. Many state schools simply cannot offer them in depth, if at all' www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I understand the pressures on the BBC, but Radio 4's coverage of the Minneapolis shooting is an example of "bad balance".
It's all "the Trump regime says she was a terrorist, but Democrats say it was murder".
The BBC has the footage. It doesn't have to treat truth and falsehood as equally valid.
I wish the Brexit dinosaurs would stop this "Erasmus is for posh kids" crap. Half the young population goes to university, these days, in UK and most of EU. And most of the half that doesn't is also eligible for Erasmus+, which covers schools, further education, adult learners and in-work training.
Reflecting on a wonderful few days in Belgrade with @janeotoole.bsky.social at #actionresearch communities workshop. Inspiring language teachers and great hospitality from our hosts at Foundation Tempus. Thanks to the European Centre for Modern Languages of the @coe.int www.ecml.at/en/News/ArtM...
Repeat after me: The point of Erasmus isn't just to go to a European university for a period. It is also having European students come to institutions in the UK, where they bring their ideas, perspective, viewpoints and skills.
EXCL: An agreement to rejoin Erasmus – the EU’s student exchange programme – set to be announced on Wednesday as part of UK government’s drive towards closer relations with Brussels.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
One of this year's great thrills was getting to film a documentary on Gallaghers and the Gallagher surname (with a dollop of my own family history too) for TG4. Our episode of Sloinne is being broadcast again on Wednesday 17 December at 7.30pm (or streaming here): www.tg4.ie/en/player/on...
✨Thrilled and honoured that BERA have recognised our research team's contribution to primary languages education! Here's to the project team including the inspirational teachers we've worked with! www.bera.ac.uk/news/bera-an...
Ongoing decimation of British universities part 252:
Apx. 1000 academic staff at University of Essex just received formal ‘risk of redundancy’ letters via email.
Please share @ucuessex.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk
UK aims to secure agreement to rejoin Erasmus student exchange scheme The UK is hoping to secure an agreement within weeks to rejoin the EU’s flagship student mobility programme, as part of a drive to pursue closer relations with Brussels after a setback on defence. Negotiators are aiming to finalise a deal by January that would allow the UK to participate in Erasmus from 2027 onwards, according to two UK and EU officials. The UK quit Erasmus after Brexit, when Boris Johnson claimed the programme did not offer good value for money. The Labour government agreed to reopen negotiations at the UK-EU summit last May, and has been seeking to bring down the cost of UK participation. The UK rejoining the £23bn Erasmus scheme has been a key demand from EU capitals as part of “reset” talks, alongside a mobility deal that would grant young Europeans the right to live and work in the UK for several years and Britons to do the same in Europe.
Joining Erasmus+ is essential for restoring young people's freedom, allowing them to study, work, and explore different cultures across Europe. This is a positive step.
Difficult to disagree with this: 'the economic and political price of Brexit is all too clear. However, its chief proponents do not seem to be paying the political price' www.irishtimes.com/opinion/edit...
Great to meet language teachers from Belgrade at our online European Centre for Modern Languages @coe.int action research workshop earlier today with @janeotoole.bsky.social
It’s especially ironic because the lecture is exactly about the ‘paralyzing cowardice’ of today’s elites.
About universities, corporations and media networks bending the knee to authoritarianism. /4
'Brexit has only cemented a dangerously misguided sense that international engagement is not essential to the UK’s future'
