1. Erasmus+ and UK language study Ruth Sinclair-Jones Director, UK Erasmus+ National Agency UCML, 6 May 2016

2. UK language landscape European Union goals Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships Student data Language student data Language support Case studies Staff participation Today’s presentation

3. The UK is currently facing a shortfall in people who can speak foreign languages. Exam entries for languages at GCSE and A-level fell once again in 2015 with 100,000 fewer GCSE language exams taken this year compared to a decade ago. Higher Education Statistics Agency data released in 2015 also showed that entries to modern foreign language degree courses had dropped by 16% since 2007/08.Higher Education Statistics Agency data These are worrying trends given that employers are crying out for language skills and the UK’s current lack of them is estimated to be costing the country tens of billions of poundsemployers are crying out for language skills costing the country UK language landscape

4. Continued focus on multilingualism in European Commission policy – reflected in various priorities in the Erasmus+ programme Foreign languages have a prominent role among the skills that will help equip people better for the labour market and make the most of available opportunities The EU has set the goal that every citizen should have the opportunity to acquire at least two foreign languages, from an early age The promotion of language learning and linguistic diversity are two of the specific objectives of the Erasmus+ programme European Union goals

5. Erasmus+ update

6. Erasmus+ remains the key programme to support students to study in other EU universities Enhances language skills for linguists and non-linguists The benefits of learning a language are huge – from boosting job prospects to acquiring the ability to understand and better connect with another culture However substantial growth in recent years in teaching in English at continental universities Erasmus+ “University helps your language skills but not as much as living abroad. ” Daisy Lacey, Student of French and English Literature

7. Languages and language teaching are among a number of EC-defined priorities in development of applications for Strategic Partnership Innovation and good practices aiming to promote language skills can include teaching and assessment methods, development of pedagogical material, research, computer assisted language learning and entrepreneurial ventures using foreign languages Projects are expected to have a positive impact on the persons directly or indirectly involved in the activities, such as an increased competence in foreign languages Strategic Partnerships

8. UK student mobilities by subject 2007-2014

9. Areas of proportional growth (2007/08-2013/14): Humanities: 2.52% -> 5.65% (258 -> 880) Natural Sciences: 2.36% -> 4.37% (242 -> 680) Engineering/Technology: 2.87% -> 3.59% (294 -> 559) Areas of proportional decline: Law: 7.82% -> 5.70% (802 -> 888) Languages: 48.00% -> 46.13% (4,920 -> 7,181) Geography/Geology: 1.09% -> 0.35% (112 -> 55) UK Erasmus outgoing student mobility 2007/08 to 2013/14 by subject-area as proportion of total UK Erasmus cohort

10. Languages and destinations

11. Student study and traineeships mobilities by subject area

12. Online Linguistic Support for non–native language assessment and training Available in German, English, Spanish, French, Italian and Dutch Coming for 2016: Portuguese, Danish, Czech, Greek, Polish and Swedish The course is aimed at all levels Language support

13. “ I feel that going abroad benefitted me greatly; I finally got to put my learning into practice. When I was at home, I found I didn’t get many opportunities to speak French. I loved the challenge of speaking French every day- from opening and closing bank accounts to simply talking to people from all walks of life. I found living in France drastically improved my language skills in general; it also improved my overall speaking confidence. I didn’t feel confident about my French prior to going but when I got there and got settled, I went to class and met some wonderful people who helped me build my confidence and I found the more confidence I gained, the quicker the fluency improved. From this experience, I have decided that I would love to use my French skills in my future career.” Daisy Lacey, French and English Literature, Manchester Metropolitan University

14. Abbie Williams, French With Spanish, Bangor University My year abroad experience has made me so much more confident with my language skills. Going abroad is invaluable to your experience of learning a language, as when abroad you have to use your language skills every day even if just for the smallest things. I wouldn’t say that I am fluent in French but I definitely feel so much more comfortable and confident in conversation, general day to day tasks and I found my love for the language again. Intercultural skills gained through a year abroad are invaluable and demonstrates to employers that you can go out there, be completely out of your comfort zone and succeed in a wide range of tasks.

15. Staff Participation

16. Supports continuous professional development of staff Get to know first-hand the workings of another European educational system Learn and share new ideas and explore best practices Expose students to methods and approaches to practice that challenge UK orthodoxies Bring back new concepts to enhance course content in the UK Develop stronger links with partner institutions Erasmus+: staff participation

17. Staff mobilities by subject area

18. Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport. The Erasmus+ UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK. Ruth Sinclair-Jones Director, UK Erasmus+ National Agency ruth.sinclair-jones@britishcouncil.org ruth.sinclair-jones@britishcouncil.org www.erasmusplus.org.uk @erasmusplusuk www.facebook.co.uk/ukerasmusplus