British Academy welcomes Manifesto for Languages by All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages

The British Academy welcomes the Manifesto for Languages by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Modern Languages, which calls on all political parties to demonstrate a commitment to promoting language learning in their 2015 election manifestoes.

The APPG argues that we need better foreign language skills in the UK not just for advancing individuals' education and skills, but to ensure our economy, international engagement, defence, security and community relations remain competitive and can be sustained. It also outlines a long-term Framework for National Recovery in Language Learning, which all political parties can endorse in their election manifestoes.

Professor Nigel Vincent FBA, Vice-President (Research and HE Policy) at the British Academy, said, "The APPG Manifesto for Languages is an important initiative in addressing the language learning deficit in the UK. Greater collaboration between the government, business and education sectors is absolutely vital for raising the profile of foreign languages among schools, universities, employers and the wider public. The Academy therefore supports this initiative and hopes that the political parties will acknowledge the need to build the UK's foreign language skills base."

Through a dedicated Language Programme, the British Academy has been a longstanding advocate for increasing the UK's capacity in foreign languages. In its Languages: State of the Nation report published in February 2013, the Academy called for concerted and joined-up efforts across government, education providers, employers, language learners and the wider community to ensure that language policies respond to new economic realities.

The Manifesto for Languages will be available for anyone to download from the APPG's website:http://blog.britishcouncil.org/appg-modernlanguages/.