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]

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 🇮🇹 🇫🇷

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

@UCFLangs @rene_koglbauer @ALL4language
@nathan_standley
#LanguagePolicyUK

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Important from @BBCNews on university 'cold spots' in some subjects including languages as courses are cut, as evidenced on HESA's new data tool.

Vital @UniofNottingham and @uniofleicester consider this as they plan cuts.

https://t.co/2FLgjyw1FO

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Read Dr Becky Muradas-Taylor's @DrBeckyMT landmark research on language 'cold spots' here:
https://t.co/3J0YiZ0bIY

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

A very welcome development in the field of language policy - and the relevance of languages across all areas of policy. Congratulations to @UCFLangs !

[The Languages Gateway @LangsGateway]

🌟A real milestone for policymakers: UCFL's new database is a practical tool to connect languages research with policy: showcasing the real-world relevance of languages research. Free to use - concise summaries. Please share widely ⬇️
#languagepolicyUK

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

❗️In today's @commonsed, @darrenpaffey asks SoS @bphillipsonMP "How are we going to stop there being a 'cliff edge' of fewer schools promoting languages to their students?" now the Ebacc has gone?
👀Watch the exchange here:
https://t.co/6dpb0N5FSE
#languagepolicyUK

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

⭐️Welcome new National Linguistics Day today 26th November!

Here is a great video from @NatalieBraber, professor in Linguistics at @NottmTrentUni, explaining why linguistics is so important for us all (click this link):
https://t.co/6xlFv0wTIo

#nationallinguisticsday

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

🚨 Any university cutting language degrees risks imperilling its future reputation and relevance, and govt should facilitate strategic support: Baroness Coussins in today's @thetimes⬇️
@UniofNottingham @uniofleicester @UCFLangs

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

🚨 Any university cutting language degrees risks imperilling its future reputation and relevance, and govt should facilitate strategic support: Baroness Coussins in today's @thetimes⬇️
@UniofNottingham @uniofleicester @UCFLangs

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

⬇️🧐 Watch APPG Co-Chair Baroness Coussins ask Minister @Jacqui_Smith1 how govt plans to boost languages now Ebacc is scrapped, calls for an Advanced Language Premium to support A-level take-up based on the successful Maths model. https://t.co/uYQVILaKVw

[APPG Modern Languages @APPGML]

Read the APPG on Modern Languages response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review ⬇️