UCML Achievements

UCML’s recent work and achievements

• UCML represents the views and opinions of scholars and professionals in modern languages to Government, the funding councils and other bodies at national level.
• In recent years UCML has ensured that the National Languages Strategy has included a Higher Education dimension, working with the DfES to set priorities and gain funding for projects to stimulate demand for Modern Languages
• UCML has helped to get languages recognised as subjects of strategic national importance.
• In 2006, UCML chaired a Steering Group working with representatives from the LLAS Subject Centre and CILT to bid to HEFCE for the Routes into Languages Programme. This has attracted £8 million of funding from HEFCE and the DCSF.
• In 2005 the DfES commissioned and published the UCML’s report The National Languages Strategy in Higher Education, authored by Hilary Footitt. The report set out the challenges faced by Modern Languages and recommendations for increasing the take-up of languages at university.
• UCML contributed to the submissions on less widely taught languages, and these in turn led to the recent initiatives to establish specialist interdisciplinary centres at HE level.
• UCML has helped set in motion a review of data collection methods for languages at HE level and establishing a system for DfES monitoring of language provision and take-up at universities.
• UCML has supported HE language departments under threat, and advised universities on strategies for success in language provision.
• UCML regularly updates its members on trends and successful innovations in Modern Languages through its plenary meetings.
• UCML provides briefing papers on key issues. In recent years it has produced and commissioned papers on the HEFCE funding model for Modern Languages and on the importance on the year abroad. These have been used to good effect within members’ institutions.
• UCML works on the QAA Benchmarking Steering Group to ensure that national benchmarks for Modern Languages Proficiency are aligned with those of other academic and academic/professional benchmarks within the National Qualifications Framework.
• UCML is also represented on the DfES Working Group on the Languages Ladder (competence descriptors for Modern Language Proficiency from beginners to professional.)
• UCML provides a forum for debate on issues of concern to its members through meetings, working parties, discussions, conferences, seminars and publications.
• UCML regularly presents the case for languages in the media.