The Languages Working Group draws on the breadth of knowledge and expertise of its members, together with its convening power, to debate and analyse the current landscape, and produce a report and a series of recommendations for decision-makers.
The Current Landscape
The public discourse around languages in society is a negative one. Some languages programmes in the UK HE sector, including in Scotland, have been threatened. There is also a widespread perception that AI can replace language skills.
This is despite evidence that demonstrates the value of languages, including to Scotland’s global competitiveness.
The British Academy’s 2025 report, Cold Spots: Mapping inequality in SHAPE provision in UK higher education, identifies Modern Foreign Languages as a particular cold spot, and states that ‘despite the clear benefits of language-learning for economic growth, diplomacy, cultural cohesion, research and soft power, the UK suffers from a significant language skills deficit’ (24).
The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report, The Languages Crisis: Arresting decline (July 2025), outlines the decline in formal language learning in the UK and makes a series of recommendations.
The HE sector is, of course, affected by the provision in schools. The British Council’s Scottish Trends report gives a snapshot of modern language teaching in Scottish schools, with some positive news but also concerns about equality of provision, particularly at secondary level.
While there are many similarities with the situation in the rest of the UK regarding foreign languages, the situation in Scotland is not the same. Education is one of the devolved powers and Scotland’s secondary examination system of Highers and Advanced Highers is significantly different from A-levels.
Most significantly, Scotland has Gaelic and Scots languages that are supported under the Scottish Languages Act (2025).
Remits
Membership
- Professor Catherine O’Leary, SAHA co-Chair, chair of the Working Group
- Professor Fiona Barclay, University of Stirling
- Abigail Burnyeat, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
- Professor Rob Dunbar, University of Edinburgh
- Professor Stephen Forcer, University of Glasgow
- Dr Sarah Gubbins, University of Dundee
- Professor Nicki Hitchcott, University of St Andrews
- Dr James Rann, University of Glasgow
- Dr Kerry Roberts, University of Strathclyde
- Professor Katerina Strani, Heriot Watt University
- F.R. Simone, SAHA Policy and Communications Officer (secretariat)
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