Speak Up for Languages at Cardiff

Humanities without languages are incomplete. Crazy to shut them down!

I studied Spanish and French at Cardiff 2000-2004. I work as a Language teacher and we do a lot of work with Cardiff University. Ending languages at Cardiff University would affect the whole of Wales.

I am a current MLANG student at Cardiff University, and I was devastated to hear about the proposed cuts to Cardiff University's Modern Languages department. Studying Spanish for my degree has been such an enriching experience and taking that opportunity away for future students is a huge loss. In our current globalised world, learning languages could not be more important; exposure to different cultures, customs and ways of life are key to bridging gaps between different countries and peoples. This is especially important due to the harmful rhetoric surrounding immigration in the UK at the moment, I believe the Modern Languages department plays a key role in promoting tolerance and understanding about this.

Modern Languages at Cardiff plays a vital role in creating really exciting opportunities for young people - it is unthinkable that any C21st university could consider cutting its language provision.

I was a lecturer in French at Cardiff in the early 2010s. I am angry and appalled at what the current custodians of the university want to do to modern languages and other subjects there.
Cardiff serves a range of socio-economic constituencies including some of the most deprived in the UK. Cardiff university is a beacon for those who achieve highly against many odds; other Russell group unis often aren’t an option. Reducing the worlds available to these kids is regressive, it hurts Wales, and ultimately it’s patronising.
Modern languages at Cardiff is a fair-sized department. If it is to be effectively closed, then nowhere outside Oxbridge and a handful of other institutions are safe. So what Cardiff’s leadership are enabling, hastening, and welcoming, is a steeply hierarchical society where languages and broad horizons are only for the privately educated or those who get lucky.
My students at Cardiff included the studious, the reflective, the outgoing, Valleys kids, those from North Wales, English students, French ones on exchange, Eastern Europeans and others still. It was cosmopolitanism in Glamorgan. That was a good thing.
Universities urgently need the Labour government (which has two-dozen MPs in South Wales) to do more than just make positive noises on student immigration, to do more than cancel out the student fee increase with higher NI.
Colleagues in MLANG are committed and caring educators, brilliant researchers, and net contributors to society. Their research is highly esteemed, taking in translation studies, Francophone Africa, war and conflict, intellectual history, multimedia adaptation and much more. Their outreach activities are sector-leading. The university is betraying them and itself. Shame on its leaders for their lack of creativity and resourcefulness.

Studying at Cardiff changed my life forever. Thanks to my course, I was able to not only learn Spanish (a language that I love), but was also able to study Japanese, something that I always wanted to do and finally was able to, thanks to the course offered at MLANG. Cardiff is also unique in that it is one of the few universities in the UK and outside Spain that offers courses in Catalan, which is now my favourite language to study.

Removing the opportunity will cripple Cardiff and Wales’ image as a country of language learning opportunities. As many people in Wales will understand with the case of Welsh, it is important for language to thrive and to be used. If this is not the case, our lives and societies become culturally weaker.

My three years at Cardiff made me become more independent, confident and let me thrive, being able to study something I loved with the best teachers, staff and friends that I met along the way.

It is an awful thought to have to see MLANG, Cardiff and Wales face the thought of a future without foreign languages.

I studied French at Cardiff - it set me up for a career in language education, in academia and now in the private sector. The benefits of studying a language were enormous and lifelong. We need people with language skills more than ever!

A School of Global Humanities without degrees in Modern Languages simply is not credible. Only in the UK could a university be short-sighted enough to put forward such a proposal. Note to the Executive Board at Cardiff University: everyone in the world does not speak English.

I am a retired teacher who passionately believes in education and how languages connect people and breaks down barriers! The learning of any language does this and in
curriculum for Wales this is a
priority and desired outcome! Currently I am learning Italian through life long learning

It is utterly shocking to me that this is happening. I have studied German and Italian at the University. I am also an alumnus of the university having studies music over 40 years ago. It seems to me that the powers that be are busy making sure Cardiff University becomes irrelevant.

Having studied German and Spanish at Cardiff University, I am shocked to hear that Cardiff University wants to cut this department completely. Learning a language offers so many opportunities for young people to discover a new culture, travel and work or study abroad, and gain transferrable skills. Cardiff University aims to be an international school, but cutting this department goes against this principle. I am a secondary languages teacher in Cardiff, and if students no longer have a university close by where they can go on to study languages, this will have an impact on our uptake at GCSE and A Level, which has been rising in recent years. Data shows that more and more students are interested in foreign languages now and changes to the curriculum are aiming at making language learning more accessible to all. What was the point of the new curriculum changes to Welsh and International Languages if our students no longer have any prospects after college? In other European countries, nearly every university offers some form of English-language teaching. Our young people will be competing with multilingual European candidates on the job market and will be at a great disadvantage without being able to master another foreign language.

To all those who decide on the future of studying and researching modern languages ​​and literatures at our universities, I would warmly recommend reading Michael Hofmann's article "To speak another language isn't just cultured, it's a blow against stupidity": https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/aug/15/michael-hofmann-learn-another-language
Hofmann is a multi-award-winning author and translator; in 2024 he received the International Booker Prize for his translation of Jenny Erpenbeck's novel "Kairos".
But maybe our decision-makers simply don't have time to read. Therefore, a well-known saying from Winston Churchill should be remembered here: "To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day". And this line from Ray Bradbury: "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them". Fewer students of other languages means fewer readers, fewer friends, less education, less knowledge, less wealth. What's going on in the land of William Shakespeare?

It is difficult to believe that the UK will let its higher education sink. But here we are. It is happening. And in this ongoing tragic development there is a second story of betrayal: the catastrophic notion that the arts and humanities are somehow "easier" to sacrifice. Not only is this ethically wrong, it is also deeply misguided and dangerous. If our world is not in need of intercultural empathy and understanding, then I must be living in a different reality. A critical engagement with languages and cultures must continue to be part of the fabric of any serious institution of higher education, and most certainly of those that are quick to boast about a "global" standing and reach. Our perilous and divided world needs these subjects now more than ever. This proposal by Cardiff is an appalling blow, not only for the students and colleagues in Wales, but also to the hope that a more empathetic humanity is possible.

Language learning is more important than ever. Modern Languages foster international collaboration and communication, facilitate multilateralism, and are our bridge to the global community. They have been consistently dismissed as disposable in favour of STEM subjects, and university leadership’s apparent agreement with this mindset is deeply disappointing. Cutting MLANG would be a huge loss for the university, Wales, and the wider community, and Cardiff must recognise that it cannot achieve its global aims without Modern Languages professionals.

I loved studying Spanish at Cardiff, and my time in MLANG shaped me as a person. The staff are warm, dedicated, passionate people with a diverse range of invaluable expertise and an infectious enthusiasm. They put an extraordinary amount of effort into their students and are a credit to the university. Estoy en solidaridad con ell@s.

In today's globalised and connected world languages are needed more than ever. A languages degree is about more than just learning a language; it's about learning a history, a culture, a way of life and a different way of seeing the world. Closing Modern Languages at Cardiff would be a huge loss to students, academic and professional staff and the wider community in Wales. It is an excellent department and it is imperative that these cuts are reversed.

I cannot express strongly enough how short-sited and damaging this decision is. Creativity, cognitive flexibility, earning potential, that eerie and wonderful flow state you get when you lose yourself in another language… there are plenty of reasons to value language learning. But perhaps the most urgent in our society today is the gesture of reaching toward another, the effort to understand a way of seeing and communicating our world that is not one’s own. We need MORE of that, not less.

I strongly oppose the plan to close the School of Modern Languages at Cardiff.
In an increasingly globalized world, limiting education to English alone is short-sighted and counterproductive. Language learning fosters cross-cultural understanding, critical thinking, and global engagement—skills essential for diplomacy, business, and so on. Closing these programs not only diminishes academic diversity but also undermines students’ opportunities to thrive in a multicultural world. Multilingualism is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for meaningful participation on the global stage.

Nazaret and all the Modern Languages Teachers at Cardiff would be a huge miss to the city and the community if the cuts were to go ahead. Let’s show our support and help Save Cardiff Languages!

Something of a historic perspective. I studied in the department of French in the 1970s, in what was then called University College, Cardiff. Fond memories of being introduced to the songs of Georges Brassens by Nicole Catani and Colin Evans. The latter arranged the only ever UK appearance of Georges Brassens at the newly opened Sherman Theatre. Cutting edge then in so many ways.

The decision to cut Modern Languages is absurd - we live in a globalised world where language and intercultural competencies are highly valued skills. The cultural impact on Wales is enormous. The reputation of Cardiff U is also at risk. This proposal cannot go ahead.

Languages give you access to a whole new world of literature, culture and communication. Studying languages stretches your brain, teaching you to see things from another perspective, to assess what a writer/speaker is actually trying to say and how words matter.

My visit to School of Modern Languages last year remains one of the most enriching experiences of my academic journey. I was deeply inspired by the department’s vibrant intellectual atmosphere and the unwavering commitment of its faculty and students. This is precisely the kind of academic community that deserves preservation and investment, not dissolution.

The School of MLANG contributes to Cardiff’s research excellence in areas like translation studies and multilingualism. Its closure would damage the university’s international reputation, deterring future students and scholars.

Financial strain is undeniable, but closure is a surrender to austerity logic. Universities are not corporations. Cutting languages sends a message that Cardiff prioritizes short-term savings over long-term societal good. It also risks perpetuating the harmful stereotype that humanities are “unprofitable”.

Languages are not mere subjects, they are the heartbeat of human connection. Cardiff must choose progress over retreat. MLANG must be preserved and revitalized, because closure is NOT the answer.

As a former Head of French at the University of Wales (Lampeter), I had for many years a close knowledge and deep respect for the work in Modern Languages carried out in Cardiff, which combined excellence in language teaching with a desire to situate that competence within a broad international context. It would be a tragedy for the University, located in the capital city of Wales, to discontinue the training of students endowed with both linguistic competence and a vision of the nation's place in the wider world. (David Culpin, Extraordinary Professor of French, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.)

MLANG has been my home for the past ten years, a place where I’ve had the privilege of sharing my passion for the Spanish language, culture, and translation with hundreds of students year after year. I have watched them thrive, grow, and go on to make a real difference in a world that so urgently needs intercultural communicators. The thought that future generations may be denied this opportunity is not only heartbreaking but also profoundly unfair.

Languages open minds, build bridges, and create opportunities, both personal and professional. Losing them means losing voices, perspectives, and connections that make Cardiff, Wales and the world richer. As a community, we must ensure that equity prevails and that languages remain accessible to all students. Global and languages go hand in hand, they simply cannot be separated.

I have recently joined the School of Modern Languages as a lecturer in Translation Studies, with a focus on Arabic. I can proudly say that I have found a home away from home in my new role. The proposal to discontinue Translation and Language programs reflects a short-sighted vision that fails to recognize their significance in our world. It is a blatant betrayal of the humanities, knowledge, and higher education as a whole. I stand in solidarity with my incredible colleagues and students, who inspire me and make me a better person every single day.

I am Senior Lecturer in Russian in Bristol. For many years we have collaborated closely with our colleagues 'across the bridge' in Cardiff. We have done research together, supervised PhD students, and secured grants together. Cardiff has an excellent reputation for teaching and research in languages. The University, Wales, and the UK as a whole will be a poorer place without it.

Senior management at Cardiff have proposed a "Global Humanities" programme to be built on what little remains of the arts & humanities after the cull. Of course, it is impossible to be global if you don't have languages.

I have just started in the School of Modern Languages in the summer and I found a talented, welcoming and supportive community. Excellence is the word that best describes my colleagues and the work and dedication they put into research and teaching.

Languages are a key way of how we relate to, and communicate, with others. This is becoming even more essential in an increasingly fragmented world.

I’ve been a lecturer in modern languages for over 10 years. Learning modern languages is essential in today’s interconnected world, as it opens up opportunities for communication, cultural understanding, and personal growth. Mastering a new language helps break down barriers, fostering global connections and collaboration. It enhances cognitive abilities, improves career prospects, and offers a deeper understanding of diverse cultures. Whether traveling, working, or engaging with international communities, being multilingual is an invaluable skill that enriches both professional and personal life.
To lose the study of modern foreign languages from a capital city (and moreover a multicultural, bilingual national capital) would be a travesty.
#savecardifflanguages

I can't think of a time when the ability to communicate across cultures has been more urgent. If we are to solve the pressing global issues we face, ensuring the next generation are equipped with the skills to communicate across borders is essential. Closure of this department is short-sighted and we will all pay the price. Solidarity to all staff. We will fight this.

As a former visiting scholar, I am deeply shocked to hear that Cardiff University is planning to close the School of Modern Languages. I am well aware of the outstanding efforts and remarkable achievements of my colleagues at MLANG in language teaching and research.

If the university measures the value of a department solely by "student numbers" or "short-term economic returns”, it would be a betrayal of the essence of higher education. Language learning cultivates irreplaceable competencies—cultural decoding skills, empathetic thinking, and metaphorical cognition—which are the core strengths that distinguish humans from algorithms in the age of artificial intelligence.

Closing MLANG is equivalent to willingly abandoning the educational mission of nurturing "global citizens" and reducing the university to a vocational training center. If we lose such a community of scholars, we are not just losing a school; we are losing an entire generation's ability to interpret human civilization. It is akin to cutting down a seemingly "inefficient" patch of vegetation in a tropical rainforest, only to cause the collapse of the entire ecosystem.

Closing MLANG is not just "eliminating a department"; it is dismantling the Tower of Babel for civilizational dialogue. The real crisis for the university is not a financial deficit, but rather having a leadership team that is short-sighted, incompetent, and lacks imagination.

作为曾经的访问学者，听闻卡迪夫大学将关闭现代语言学院，我非常震惊。我深知MLANG的同事们在语言教学和研究方面所付出的卓越努力和取得的显著成就。

如果大学仅以'学生人数'或'短期经济回报'衡量学科价值，那将是对高等教育本质的背叛。语言学习培养的是不可量化的竞争力——文化解码能力、共情思维、隐喻性认知——正是人工智能时代人类区别于算法的核心竞争力。

关闭语言学院，等于主动放弃培养'世界公民'的教育使命，将大学降格为职业技能培训所。如果失去这样的研究共同体，我们失去的不是一个学院，而是一代人对人类文明的解读能力。这恰如热带雨林中砍伐一片看似'低效'的植被，却导致整个生态链的崩塌。

关闭语言学院不是"裁撤一个部门"，而是亲手拆除文明对话的巴别塔。大学真正的危机不在于财政赤字，而在于拥有一个没有想象力、短视和无能的领导团队。

I have proudly worked in the School of Modern Languages since 2015, across various roles in the Professional Services dept.

Since joining the School I have been in awe of our students and their affiliation to the subject, their tutors and the School.

MLANG is the centre of excellent practice across so many key areas in the University, time and time again going against richer, larger schools and standing our ground.

Taking away Languages and Translation from Cardiff University is not only going to weaken the expertise within the University, but will weaken opportunities for future Linguists in and around Cardiff, Wales and the UK.

You cannot have a School of Global Humanities without Languages. It is impossible. I'm saying this as an English Literature graduate, not as a Linguist. It does not make sense.

Allow the School to work with new opportunities (without previous barriers and opposition) and see it flourish.

Modern languages connects people in Wales to the wider international community

As a recent MLANG graduate, I am saddened by the university's wilful mismanagement of funding, using student's fees to cover huge salaries and subsidies for executives whilst slashing courses which add real value and opportunities to students' lives, and enrich our national and global culture. The teaching staff at MLANG showed a dedication to these goals, and worked hard to uphold the university's reputation and impact, just to be slapped in the face with job cuts. Cardiff University has proven its lack of regard for the public service it was founded to provide, instead prioritising shareholder profits which add no value to the local, national, or international community. Shame on Cardiff University!

I used to work as a foreign language assistant for four years at Cardiff université in the late 80's early 90's. It is such a great départment for modern languages. Great teachers and lectures, great students and so many opportunities. I give all my support to the actual staff and students.

As a French teacher in a secondary school, I have found the school of languages at Cardiff Uni incredibly helpful through their various initiatives like the MFL mentoring programme. Thanks to their help we were able to double our intake at GCSE. Their open to the public events have also been incredible for my A-Level students who have gained insights into the world of language learning at university level. It has helped inspire a few to read French at university. Without them, we are putting another nail in the coffin of language learning in Wales.

Modern Languages has helped me go from simply knowing “hello” in Chinese to talking about a plethora of topics. Losing it would be a huge let down to Cardiff Uni itself

I have been a French Lecturer at Cardiff University for around ten years. We are a community dedicated to providing excellent teaching and research. We have always worked in good faith with university leadership and delivered time and time again, no matter what was asked of us. The loss of languages would be a major blow to the educational infrastructure and wider culture of Cardiff and Wales as a whole. It is not right nor does it make financial sense to take the opportunity to learn and study foreign languages and cultures away from the people of Cardiff and Wales.