Reposted by Polly McMichael
⛔ Second statement in one week #saveleicesterml #saveleicesterlanguages
Following last week’s formal letter to the University of Nottingham, AHGBI has now issued a second statement—this time to the University of Leicester—regarding the proposed closure of its Department of Modern Languages.
Following last week’s formal letter to the University of Nottingham, AHGBI has now issued a second statement—this time to the University of Leicester—regarding the proposed closure of its Department of Modern Languages.
November 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
⛔ Second statement in one week #saveleicesterml #saveleicesterlanguages
Following last week’s formal letter to the University of Nottingham, AHGBI has now issued a second statement—this time to the University of Leicester—regarding the proposed closure of its Department of Modern Languages.
Following last week’s formal letter to the University of Nottingham, AHGBI has now issued a second statement—this time to the University of Leicester—regarding the proposed closure of its Department of Modern Languages.
Protest over future of university language courses www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Protest over future of University of Nottingham language courses
The University of Nottingham has suspended entry for new students on modern language courses.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Protest over future of university language courses www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
‘the progressive closure of foreign language degree programmes is especially worrying because of the desperate need for language skills in government’
The procession of university language closures will trip up UK diplomacy www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/proc...
The procession of university language closures will trip up UK diplomacy
The government needs to signal its demand for elite foreign language skills before more universities leave provision to inferior alternatives, says Ian Proud
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:13 AM
‘the progressive closure of foreign language degree programmes is especially worrying because of the desperate need for language skills in government’
Reposted by Polly McMichael
"Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story" - Bob Dylan in Killarney, 24th of November 2025 johnnyborgan.blog/2025/11/25/s... via @johnnyborgan
“Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story” – Bob Dylan in Killarney, 24th of November 2025
Passing a point of no return. That’s what it’s about – to be crossing the Rubicon. When the singer asks rhetorical in “My Own Version of You”: What would Julius Caesar…
johnnyborgan.blog
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
"Sing in me, oh Muse, and through me tell the story" - Bob Dylan in Killarney, 24th of November 2025 johnnyborgan.blog/2025/11/25/s... via @johnnyborgan
Reposted by Polly McMichael
I’ve been quoted in @thespectator1828.bsky.social about the importance of taking a strategic approach nationally to language provision as universities are making individual decisions to slash provision which may collectively be very bad for the national interest
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
November 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’ve been quoted in @thespectator1828.bsky.social about the importance of taking a strategic approach nationally to language provision as universities are making individual decisions to slash provision which may collectively be very bad for the national interest
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
www.spectator.co.uk/article/in-p...
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Nottinghamshire MPs have written to @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, urging the university to reconsider proposed course suspensions and potential closures, which would significantly impact staff, students, and our wider city and county.
November 24, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Nottinghamshire MPs have written to @uniofnottingham.bsky.social, urging the university to reconsider proposed course suspensions and potential closures, which would significantly impact staff, students, and our wider city and county.
Reposted by Polly McMichael
'It is notable that in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise the Department of American Studies at Nottingham was ranked third in the Area Studies unit of assessment and was one of the top-performing units across the whole of the University of Nottingham.' 1/2
RED ALERT: the University of Nottingham is threatening to close its Department of American Studies, putting all staff at risk of redundancy, and ending any American specialist knowledge in the Faculty of Arts.
Sign the petition here to save jobs:
www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
Sign the petition here to save jobs:
www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
Sign the Petition
SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
www.change.org
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 PM
'It is notable that in the last Research Excellence Framework exercise the Department of American Studies at Nottingham was ranked third in the Area Studies unit of assessment and was one of the top-performing units across the whole of the University of Nottingham.' 1/2
University of Nottingham Council meets on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 to decide on the proposal to close modern languages degrees www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk/home#how-you...
November 23, 2025 at 10:07 AM
University of Nottingham Council meets on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 to decide on the proposal to close modern languages degrees www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk/home#how-you...
Reposted by Polly McMichael
AHGBI, led by Professor Sarah Wright, opposes the University of Nottingham’s move to suspend—and effectively close—all Modern Languages degrees. SRUK/CERU, led by Dr Carlos Soler Montes, has also raised concerns.
AHGBI urges immediate reconsideration.
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
AHGBI urges immediate reconsideration.
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
November 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
AHGBI, led by Professor Sarah Wright, opposes the University of Nottingham’s move to suspend—and effectively close—all Modern Languages degrees. SRUK/CERU, led by Dr Carlos Soler Montes, has also raised concerns.
AHGBI urges immediate reconsideration.
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
AHGBI urges immediate reconsideration.
#SaveNottinghamLanguages
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Colleagues and UCU members from UoN's Department of Modern Languages have put together this wonderful guide on supporting their programmes. A lot of what they suggest is also helpful in challenging the 48 courses at risk across the university
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
savenottinghamlanguages
The University of Nottingham has suspended applications to all languages degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of all of its undergraduate languages degrees. Under the proposals, it…
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Colleagues and UCU members from UoN's Department of Modern Languages have put together this wonderful guide on supporting their programmes. A lot of what they suggest is also helpful in challenging the 48 courses at risk across the university
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Help save Modern Languages at UoN!
Colleagues and UCU members from UoN's Department of Modern Languages have put together this wonderful guide on supporting their programmes. A lot of what they suggest is also helpful in challenging the 48 courses at risk across the university
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
savenottinghamlanguages
The University of Nottingham has suspended applications to all languages degree programmes, with a view to permanent closure of all of its undergraduate languages degrees. Under the proposals, it…
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Help save Modern Languages at UoN!
Save Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
savenottinghamlanguages
www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Save Modern Languages at the University of Nottingham www.savemlcatnotts.org.uk
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Happening everywhere - not just Nottingham but also Leicester now. On the horizon: more cold spots in languages provision and (crucially) access to HE language teaching for those who need to study close to home. We should be widening access, not narrowing it. Solidarity to colleagues affected ✊
A very insightful article on the recent threats to UK modern languages:
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Support the petitions to stop the closures at Leicester and Nottingham, to sign click here:
www.change.org/p/save-moder...
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
#languages #mfl
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Support the petitions to stop the closures at Leicester and Nottingham, to sign click here:
www.change.org/p/save-moder...
www.change.org/p/stop-the-r...
#languages #mfl
November 14, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Happening everywhere - not just Nottingham but also Leicester now. On the horizon: more cold spots in languages provision and (crucially) access to HE language teaching for those who need to study close to home. We should be widening access, not narrowing it. Solidarity to colleagues affected ✊
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Times Higher article out today explains the folly of yet more proposed closures in languages (also music, film, philosophy, and others). This time at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. Oversight of the changing UK HE landscape for our disciplines has never been more needed or vital.
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Times Higher article out today explains the folly of yet more proposed closures in languages (also music, film, philosophy, and others). This time at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham. Oversight of the changing UK HE landscape for our disciplines has never been more needed or vital.
‘given that the UK needs more graduates with languages qualifications, the task of universities is not to accelerate the decline of language learning but to find ways to bolster their student intakes’ www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:20 PM
‘given that the UK needs more graduates with languages qualifications, the task of universities is not to accelerate the decline of language learning but to find ways to bolster their student intakes’ www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Reposted by Polly McMichael
'The threat to languages is particularly ironic given Nottingham’s strategy, which promises a vision of a “university without borders” and Leicester’s “Citizens of Change” agenda, aiming to promote global citizenship and inclusivity'.
Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?
Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
'The threat to languages is particularly ironic given Nottingham’s strategy, which promises a vision of a “university without borders” and Leicester’s “Citizens of Change” agenda, aiming to promote global citizenship and inclusivity'.
Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?
Global but monoglot: how's that supposed to work?
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
The latest threat to UK modern languages is yet another faux pas
Nottingham and Leicester are taking a swing at language departments. But those proposing closures have taken their eye off the ball, say four linguists
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Every university should renovate the disciplinary framework of its courses and ask whether it is responding to its global responsibilities. But no university should recognise any merit in withdrawing from the study of other languages, cultures & societies
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
www.timeshighereducation.com/opinion/late...
Reposted by Polly McMichael
In the same week, both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester announced closing their Modern Languages departments. Disastrous for the sector as a whole and for the ML landscape in the Midlands: c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
c.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:42 AM
In the same week, both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester announced closing their Modern Languages departments. Disastrous for the sector as a whole and for the ML landscape in the Midlands: c.org/4X7VMy9MPD
Reposted by Polly McMichael
The decision to cut all language programs at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be the final nail in the coffin for many potential applicants' languages education, leaving no languages degrees in the East Midlands.
November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The decision to cut all language programs at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be the final nail in the coffin for many potential applicants' languages education, leaving no languages degrees in the East Midlands.
Reposted by Polly McMichael
When is this going to stop? Save Modern Languages at the University of Leicester 👇
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
c.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
When is this going to stop? Save Modern Languages at the University of Leicester 👇
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Sign the Petition
Save Modern Languages courses at the University of Leicester
www.change.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Petition started by students in Modern Languages at the University of Leicester. The department has been told it will close despite its stellar NSS record and brilliant teaching and research - the same devastating short-term thinking as elsewhere. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-moder...
Reposted by Polly McMichael
Staggering harm is being done to #language learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures:
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Change starts here
Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.
Change.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Staggering harm is being done to #language learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures:
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Reposted by Polly McMichael
The effects of the proposed cull of languages provision at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be massive: for the wonderful staff, for current students, and for future budding linguists. Esp those who, like me, come from working-class backgrounds in the East Midlands.
Staggering harm is being done to #language learning in Higher Ed. No oversight or strategic thinking, with cold spots now present. Petitions alone this week in response to closures:
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Nottingham · Change.org
Leicester · Change.org
#edusky #langsky @britishacademy.bsky.social @hetanshah.bsky.social
Change starts here
Join over 500,000,000 people creating real change in their communities.
Change.org
November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The effects of the proposed cull of languages provision at the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester will be massive: for the wonderful staff, for current students, and for future budding linguists. Esp those who, like me, come from working-class backgrounds in the East Midlands.
Losing teaching and expertise in American Studies at the University of Nottingham is a catastrophic prospect. It’s a brilliant department. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-ameri...
Sign the Petition
SAVE AMERICAN STUDIES TEACHING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
www.change.org
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Losing teaching and expertise in American Studies at the University of Nottingham is a catastrophic prospect. It’s a brilliant department. Please sign and share www.change.org/p/save-ameri...