Date of press release: 4 February 2008
Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Mr Bill Rammell, is launching the Routes into Languages programme with a keynote speech at a national launch event at the Living Room in central London on 5 February 2008.
The event is a celebration to launch the Routes into Languages programme and a thank you to stakeholders involved in the project, including members of 9 regional consortia, 2 national networks and 3 research projects.
Mr Rammell, who will be presenting the key note speech, commented:
"Learning languages offer students opportunities to experience working and studying abroad, bringing with it the benefit of increased cultural awareness, improved self reliance as well as increased employability. I believe this project will make a significant impact on this country's language capability.
"Having studied French at university myself, I have personal experience of the benefits having languages skills brings. The government is committed to increasing the number of people in this country with language skills in line with our languages strategy. Universities, working with schools and colleges have a real part to play and I am delighted to see the energy and enthusiasm the project has already stimulated
Routes into Languages aims to increase and widen participation in language study in Key Stages 4 and 5 and in higher education, and to support the national role of HE languages as a motor of economic and civic regeneration. The Routes into Languages programme is coordinated by a team at the University of Southampton and directed by Professor Michael Kelly.
Professor Kelly said: ‘over the last few months, Routes has been transformed from a small project group into a bustling network of activities that stretch the length and breadth of England, and beyond. The process of establishing regional consortia, national networks and research projects has in itself generated ideas, enthusiasm and a genuine spirit of cooperation between institutions and across sectors. The launch not only recognises the hard work of all involved but also aims to promote this unique project.'
The funding for the three-year £8 million programme has been provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). There are over 50 universities involved.
Notes to Editors
- 1. The programme was set up to address the decline in language take up at GCSE and beyond.
- 2. The Routes into Languages programme is funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
- 3. The programme was developed by three organisations working in partnership: the University Council of Modern Languages (UCML), the HE Academy Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS), and CILT, the National Centre for Languages. This group was brought together under the umbrella of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills' Higher Education Implementation Group which is part of the framework underpinning implementation of the National Languages Strategy for England.
