How important are languages? – being able to converse or sign with another person in a way that they can immediately make a connection with you ?

This is a question which has been trivialised by those objecting to Gaelic road signs but it is one which is now leading the University of Aberdeen down the path of ‘rationalising’ their Modern Languages Department including the option of discontinuing single honours in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish.

Aberdeen University is consulting on the future of Modern Languages at their institution. According to The University:

The need to review provision in Modern Languages within the School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture (LLMVC) has arisen due to: 

• A steep fall in the numbers of undergraduates studying Modern Language degrees UK wide and at Aberdeen and low numbers of postgraduates studying languages. This is a long-term trend despite significant efforts by staff at the University and national initiatives over many years to halt the decline in uptake of Modern Languages in secondary schools and higher education.  
• Particularly low recruitment to undergraduate Modern Languages programmes at Aberdeen in September 2023: 27 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) students, falling from 46 FTE in 2022 and 62 FTE in 2021. 
• High staff numbers (37 staff – 28.83 FTE) relative to student numbers means that income does not cover even the direct costs of staff delivering Modern Languages provision before any central costs (such as Library, IT, Student Services, Estates), leading to a projected deficit for Modern Languages of £1.64m in 2023/24. 

The consultation sets out three options for the future of provision in Modern Languages:

1. Discontinue single honours in French, Gaelic, German and Spanish and rationalise the programme offering to reduce the number of courses required to deliver the remaining joint honours provision. This option might also encompass a reduction in the number of languages offered to three or two languages.

2. Discontinue single and joint honours French, Gaelic, German and Spanish programmes but retain a suite of ‘with language’ programmes (for example, International Business with French).

3. Discontinue all programmes which have a named language component but continue to offer language courses that could be taken by students as elective courses where this can be accommodated in their degree programme. This would typically be at first year and to a lesser extent second year level of studies.

Professor Karl Leydecker, University Senior Vice-Principal, chairs the steering group. He said: 

“It is deeply regrettable that the provision of Modern Languages at the University is unsustainable in its current form, with low and falling numbers of students. The Steering Group looks forward to engaging with the School to explore the options through the process of consultation before reaching final conclusions on our future provision.” 

“It is clearly a very difficult time for staff in Modern Languages and the wider School of LLMVC. A range of support is being provided.” 

Aberdeen Uni’s Student Association (AUSA) has called for a halt to the consultation. In a statement issued by them AUSA Vice President for Education Rhiannon Ledwell said:

“The University must stop this consultation now. To put staff jobs at risk over the Christmas period is cruel and unnecessary.

“We understand the University’s position is that the Language School needs to react to the current financial challenges, but this must be done correctly, not quickly, with full involvement from students and staff. This consultation is both a panicked and knee jerk reaction that will damage the University’s reputation worldwide and deter future generations of students from
studying languages.

“Students are furious that lecturers’ careers and their futures are at risk. The University must commit to no compulsory redundancies and to engaging in a genuine attempt to save Language degrees. On the day after the Scottish Government launched the “Scottish Languages Bill” to enhance protections of Gaelic culture and language, the University of Aberdeen have taken a step in the opposite direction.”

The Scottish Languages Bill was introduced to The Scottish Parliament on 29th of November 2023. The Bill gives the Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland and makes changes to the support for the Gaelic and Scots languages in Scotland. This includes changes in relation to Gaelic and Scots education.

The downgrading of Modern Languages at the University of Aberdeen is a question of money. Those thinking of applying for a course will see it is now in doubt and will look to other Universities for their study options. It is a downward spiral for the Modern Languages Department at Aberdeen.

The University has stated that during the period of consultation, a series of meetings will be held with staff in the School to discuss the options set out in the consultation, and to gather their feedback. They have also said that they will be engaging with student representatives from the School. 

Aberdeen has said that “It is the firm intention that the University will continue to offer students the opportunity to learn languages at the University, and all three of the options set out in the consultation will ensure this is the case. 

“Whatever decisions are taken following the consultation regarding the future provision of Modern Languages, the University will ensure that any students currently enrolled on programmes in Modern Languages will be able to complete their programmes of study.  “

Conducting any consultation during the festive period could be seen as a panicky reaction by the University. Whatever the reasoning people’s livelihoods are on the line as well as the international reputation of the University.

Fiona Grahame