A Lancaster University lecturer has added his voice to urge the Department for Education to reconsider controversial changes to the Modern Languages GCSE.

With colleagues from Anglia Ruskin University, the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol and Westminster, Sascha Stollhans from the Department of Languages and Cultures at Lancaster University has published a public response to the proposals in the ‘Languages, Society and Policy’ journal.

They offer a research-based perspective informed by work the group of academics has undertaken as part of their “Linguistics in Modern Foreign Languages” project.

The Department for Education (DfE) recently launched a public consultation on its proposals for revised subject content for GCSEs in Modern Foreign Languages (French, German and Spanish).

The proposals have been produced to address the declining number of students taking a language at GCSE level and beyond, and to make sure the ‘subject content reflects research in language curriculum and teaching and make language GCSEs more accessible and motivating for students’.

In their response, Mr Stollhans and his colleagues urge the Department for Education to:

· Re-consider their proposal to base language teaching on a small pre-defined list of words that is informed by frequency alone

· Include meaningful content and (inter)cultural topics that encourage students to explore other cultures and societies through language learning

· Consider the richness and diversity of languages and the societies in which they are spoken

· Make sure subject content is informed by linguistics and languages research

In his previous research, Mr Stollhans has found that learning about cultures and societies is an important motivational factor for language students.

He says: “Every student should have the opportunity to study a language and learn about other cultures and societies.

“This is of utmost importance for a global and outward-looking society. Language and culture can’t be separated and learning another language is always also about developing intercultural sensitivity and broadening your horizon.

“A GCSE in Modern Foreign Languages must introduce students to the rich world of languages and cultures and make them curious to find out more about the world. This can’t be achieved through a narrow curriculum based on a set list of words and grammar points.”

A number of other stakeholders have also written critical responses to the consultation. The DfE consultation is still open until 19 May 2021.

· The article by Mr Stollhans and colleagues in the ‘Languages, Society and Policy’ journal has been picked up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Modern Languages, who, last week, issued a statement calling on the DfE to address concerns raised by stakeholders in relation to the reforms and urging more time for consensus across the sector.