Languages for All at the University of Exeter
This exciting new initiative involves a partnership between the University of Exeter, The Reach Foundation and schools and FE colleges across the South West region. Our mission is to ensure that students who wish to study languages beyond GCSE are supported to do so.
What is Languages For All South West?
Languages for All, part of The Reach Foundation, is a charity dedicated to boosting A-Level and degree level modern language study for students in the UK.
As the only university in the heart of the South West offering modern language study, we at the University of Exeter believe we have a civic duty to support language learning across our region.
We have partnered with Languages For All to create the Languages For All South West Hub which offers an enhanced pathway for promising linguists from GCSE, through A-Level, to taking a degree which involves languages.
Why is this important?
The study of modern languages in UK schools has dropped dramatically in the last 20 years, especially at A-Level and in non-selective schools. This has resulted in students losing access to the cultural capital, employability skills and opportunities for global engagement, leisure, travel and culture which languages provide.
Languages For All South West aims to:
- Promote social mobility and diversity by making language learning accessible to all South West students, especially those from non-selective state schools
- Strengthen links between schools and colleges and the University of Exeter Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies and Department of Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies, pooling resources and expertise
- Reverse the decline in language study in South West England and promote language learning as a valued and aspirational pathway
- Create a sustainable talent pipeline of employable linguists from GCSE to university
How does it work?
Languages for All South West will help schools and multi-academy trusts to facilitate the provision of modern language A-Levels across the region. It will organise conferences for teachers and residentials and day trips for students taking A-Levels within the programme.
The University will host students on campus for languages outreach days, foster links with employers and alumni, and enable current languages undergraduates to help schools with oral exam preparation.
Languages for All South West Campus Day
The Languages for All South West launch day is on Wednesday 10 December 2025, at the Streatham Campus, University of Exeter. We will be hosting around 250 talented Year 11 linguists from across our region and offering a full programme of language taster sessions, career and opportunities Q&A panels and a campus tour with current students.
Contacts
We would love to hear from anyone who can support us by talking to students about careers and opportunities with modern languages. Please get in touch with Dr Emily Lygo or Steve Bassett.
