Universities in England are blaming a “societal shift” for axing dozens of foreign language degrees and even entire departments, citing declining student demand. But is the decline in formal enrolments reflective of waning interest, or can it be offset by online tools and apps?
According to Michael Lynas, UK country director for the Duolingo language app, young people in the UK are more engaged in language learning than ever. “Sometimes people say, ‘There’s translation apps now, so why learn a language?’ But UK students are spending more time learning on Duolingo than any other age group,” he said.
Lynas argues that learning a language goes beyond translation. “Even knowing a few words allows meaningful connections and shows respect for other cultures—something no app can fully replace.” He also highlighted that UK users under 22 are the most prolific learners and often study multiple languages, challenging the perception of dwindling interest.
The Higher Education Perspective
Despite this, universities point to declining applications. Nottingham University recently announced plans that may axe its language degrees, and Leicester University faces similar threats. Over the past five years, nearly 50 French, German, Italian, and Iberian studies programs have either closed or shrunk.
Megan Bowler, author of a report sponsored by Duolingo on the “languages crisis,” stressed the broader impact. “Graduate linguists are interdisciplinary thinkers with skills that remain crucial in the age of AI. Closing language programs may be shortsighted,” she said.
Students and alumni echo the value of language education. Hannah Sutcliffe, a Leicester graduate in Spanish and French and co-founder of a VR training startup, said her language skills were key to building international business connections, approaching problems with empathy, and navigating diverse workplaces.
Long-Term Decline in School Language Study
Universities highlight a decades-long drop in school-level language study. A-level French enrolment has fallen from nearly 30,000 students 30 years ago to under 10,000 today, while German declined from 10,000 to around 2,000. Only Spanish and a few languages like Chinese have seen modest growth, insufficient to replace overall losses.
Dr. Emma Staniland, a Spanish lecturer at Leicester, warned that this trend may make language degrees increasingly exclusive. “The more difficult it becomes to study languages, the more these courses may only be accessible to those with resources, limiting learning for the joy of it,” she said.
Brexit has compounded the problem, according to Dr. Maite Usoz de la Fuente of Leicester University, by reducing career opportunities abroad. “Studying languages now feels less practical for students seeking international careers, making these programs less attractive despite their global relevance,” she noted.
The Takeaway
While universities cite falling applications as justification for closures, the surge in online language learning suggests there is strong interest among the younger generation. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between formal education and alternative platforms, ensuring students can acquire both linguistic skills and cultural insights for a globalized world.
