APPG Modern Languages

Chair: Darren Paffey MP; Co-Chair: Baroness Coussins. APPGs are informal groups of parliamentarians. Full disclaimer and contacts: link below.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

@EstrellaDammUK recently opened its new £70 million brewery in Bedford. Language skills are instrumental in growing trade between the UK and partner countries. The APPG is grateful to @EmbSpainUK for its support of Spanish education across the UK and UK-Spain collaboration.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Our Vice Chair @ToniaAntoniazzi delighted to meet the Ambassador of Spain Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga @EmbSpainUK, here with Dr Fernando Bartolomé of the Embassy's Education Office, to mark @EstrellaDammUK winning the Eduardo Barrachina Golden Award for its work in the UK.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Our Vice Chair @ToniaAntoniazzi delighted to meet the Ambassador of Spain Emma Aparici Vázquez de Parga @EmbSpainUK, here with Dr Fernando Bartolomé of the Embassy's Education Office, to mark @EstrellaDammUK winning the Eduardo Barrachina Golden Award for its work in the UK.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

The APPG on Modern Languages was pleased to support this important event in the Lords yesterday, organised by the APPG for Classics and the @Classical_Assoc highlighting the contribution of the arts, humanities and classics to education, culture, public policy and civic life.

[Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson MBE @ProfArleneHH]

A real ‘pinch me’ moment, launching 3 of my 2026 books at a parliamentary reception in the House of Lords yesterday. I summarised 350,000 words in 6 minutes!

@wmarybeard @PDJSwallow @durham_uni @ahrcpress @BritishAcademy_ @Classical_Assoc @routledgebooks @LivUniPress

[Times Higher Education @timeshighered]

The University of Nottingham’s plans to close its languages courses would leave the East Midlands a “cold spot” for provision, politicians fear
https://t.co/1OZjIKaOX5

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

"As a working-class foster kid, the opportunity to study languages made a big difference to me and many others like me." @darrenpaffey, Chair of the APPG, writes in the @Guardian https://t.co/1s2BH6iNVg

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Several ex-Education Ministers supporting access to languages education in this @guardian article.
Studying languages, from secondary to university, is increasingly skewed towards socio-economically advantaged groups. Languages are for everyone.
https://t.co/CeNsRJdR5w

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Several ex-Education Ministers supporting access to languages education in this @guardian article.
Studying languages, from secondary to university, is increasingly skewed towards socio-economically advantaged groups. Languages are for everyone.
https://t.co/CeNsRJdR5w

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

The @BritishCouncil will be giving a special briefing on these latest statistics to MPs and Lords at a meeting of the APPG on Monday.

[British Council @BritishCouncil]

Language Trends England 2026 surveyed teachers at 1,000+ primary, secondary and independent schools to capture the real picture of language education across England. What are the findings? Find out: https://t.co/LuZglqhOkO

#LanguageTrendsEngland #MFLTwitterati #MFL #edutwitter

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Many congratulations also to @CTS_Surrey led by @DrSabineBraun for their outstanding research in translation including use of AI, who have presented to the APPG in parliament before.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Baroness Jean Coussins presented the @CIOL_Linguists Awards yesterday to the top-scoring candidates in CIOL's qualifications, along with the David Crystal Award and Threlford Cup awards recognising outstanding contributions to languages.
https://t.co/rbiwyxKgcU

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Congratulations to Joana Cavaleiro, Duygu Türer and Aneta Flaza for their achievements; and to Mike Orlov outgoing Director of #NRPSI and @charlesforsdick Lead Fellow for Languages at the @BritishAcademy_ (pictured above) for their leadership in language policy.

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

New evidence from @FFTEduDatalab that MFL uptake tracks social (dis)advantage:
"Free School Meal pupils seem particularly unlikely to go on to enter MFL A-Levels compared to other subjects" (non-FSM pupils 2.6 times more likely than FSM).
https://t.co/mUoUFVj3CH

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

"It is a myth that we Brits are inherently poor at languages. Where we have the right policies in place, we can be among the best in the world" - Baroness Coussins and Philip Harding-Esch writing for @duolingoUK call for language policy coherence https://t.co/ItkIpIG4Ea

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

🎉In case you missed it: The APPG hosted the 2026 @duolingoUK Westminster Language Challenge prize giving ceremony!
Congratulations to @alexlmayer , @drcarolinej and @mikejwood the Top 3 parliamentarians (out of over 250 who took part!)
Read more here: https://t.co/pns8Dm6KXY

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Today MPs and Lords meet teacher trainers, headteachers, and trainee teachers recruited from abroad to discuss the problems they have securing jobs in UK schools due to immigration rules & costs.
All MPs very welcome: 5.15pm, HoC Cttee Rm 5.
@PhysicsNews @BritishAcademy_

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Worrying new data from Schoolsweek shows 29% of teachers say their school has reduced languages provision since the Ebacc performance measure was abandoned in November
https://t.co/gNyVjWmBr0

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Worrying new data from Schoolsweek shows 29% of teachers say their school has reduced languages provision since the Ebacc performance measure was abandoned in November
https://t.co/gNyVjWmBr0

[The Languages Gateway @LangsGateway]

Amazing opportunity! The @PolishEmbassyUK is offering FREE in-person Polish courses to UK nationals and students in UK unis, all you need to do is tell them why. Read more here: https://t.co/5mHMULMQMq

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

👀Watch the House of Lords debate on visa waivers for MFL teacher and trainee recruitment live here (you can also rewind to watch from the start): https://t.co/4q8YoC1Z5G

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

❗️Major House of Lords debate tomorrow afternoon Thu 8 January on the visa requirements complicating the recruitment of trainees and teachers from abroad in modern languages and other subjects dependent on overseas recruitment such as Physics. Details:
https://t.co/Fh3N5qyZxL

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

❗️Major House of Lords debate tomorrow afternoon Thu 8 January on the visa requirements complicating the recruitment of trainees and teachers from abroad in modern languages and other subjects dependent on overseas recruitment such as Physics. Details:
https://t.co/Fh3N5qyZxL

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Very welcome news that the UK will be rejoining Erasmus+ from 2027 for international placements and partnerships. Funding for schools, FE, VET, HE, adult education, youth and sport. Spread the word!

https://t.co/vmBU9gXPGs

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

🦉The @duolingo Westminster Language Challenge is *back* for 2026! Is your MP participating? They can share a £20k prize fund for a chosen charity - and raise the profile of language skills in the process. Launches 6th January. Read the press release: https://t.co/MDwcGzfTlb

[Tonia Antoniazzi @ToniaAntoniazzi]

🐤 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 It was great to host @duolingo in Parliament for their Language Challenge drop-in. As a former modern foreign languages teacher, I’ve seen first‑hand how learning another language can open doors and improve your focus. Set yourself the challenge this Christmas 🇮🇹 🇫🇷