UCFL has supported Routes into Languages from the outset. Funded between 2006 and 2016 to promote language learning across England, the Routes into Languages network of universities have produced wide-ranging resources and ideas on sustainable and effective university-school engagement. This initiative continues to engage actively with schools and other organisations across the UK with UCFL providing a governance structure and organisational support for the network’s ongoing development.
UCFL has established the Routes into Languages Sub-Committee, which works to share best practice across the former network. The Sub-Committee is chaired by Professor Vicky Wright (Southampton), and it includes representatives from across the active Routes networks and from Routes Cymru, the National Networks for Translation & Interpreting, Learning through Languages UK, NICILT and SCILT.
700 reasons for studying languages revisited
This 2024 Routes into Languages report builds on the earlier 700 reasons research by identifying rationales for studying languages that have gained prominence in the last decade and which seem to be particularly relevant to today’s young people. The five main themes identified are Community, Opportunity, Sustainability, Inclusivity and Identity and these are further divided into 33 sub-themes such as artificial intelligence, social media and home, heritage and community languages. The report contains an annexe consisting of references and extracts from the research identified and will be useful for those seeking to develop why study languages resources which will help learners to appreciate ‘a wide range of reasons for language study’. The original 700 reasons poster distributed to schools is below.
Routes Cymru is managed separately by a consortium of Welsh universities and the four Welsh education consortia, and is actively engaged in schools outreach and partnership with Welsh Government. Representatives from Routes Cymru also sit on the UCFL Routes into Languages Sub-Committee.
Routes Cymru has produced a guide for school governors in Wales detailing the modern languages landscape in Wales and detailing how they can support modern languages in their own school.