This HEPI blog was kindly authored by colleagues at the German Embassy in London and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
#ShoutOutForGerman – this is the title of a week-long campaign from 17 to 21 March to showcase all things German across the entire UK and inspire learning German. The German Embassy London and the German Academic Exchange Service are only two of the organisations behind this campaign. Why are we shouting out for German? Because the steady decline of German learners in the UK, of students pursuing German at the university level, the closure of language departments and the ongoing threat of further closures is a cause for concern.
The benefits of learning German are clear: it provides students with communication skills and enhances career opportunities, but it also fosters closer economic and cultural ties between the UK and Germany. The German Embassy in London and the German Academic Exchange Service both work to strengthen language learning in general and German in particular at British universities.
To raise awareness of German as a foreign language and to give credit to all those who learn, speak or like it, we are launching the #ShoutOutForGerman campaign from 17 to 21 March, to showcase all things German across the entire country and inspire learning German.
Why German Matters
There are countless reasons for studying German. Just like learning any foreign language, it equips people with critical communication and transferable skills, opens the door to other ways of thinking, and strengthens personal connections across borders. The case for German is even stronger, as it is the most sought-after foreign language among UK employers and a key language in fields such as science, engineering, finance, and international relations. Germany remains the UK’s second-largest goods trading partner, and a strong command of the language provides a competitive advantage in the job market. German is the language of influential philosophers, writers, and scientists, offering access to a rich intellectual and cultural heritage.
Beyond the economic advantages, language learning plays a crucial role in diplomacy and international relations. The ability to speak each other’s language fosters trust, facilitates collaboration, and strengthens bilateral ties. As John le Carré once said, “The decision to learn a foreign language is an act of friendship.” Looking at the events unfolding in today’s world, it would be a gross understatement to say that the European continent is facing a multitude of challenges. To navigate the new realities, to preserve our safety, our hard-fought liberties, our prosperity and place in the world, the links between the UK and its European neighbours will be of pivotal importance – and key among them is the German-British partnership. Learning each other’s language can be understood as a commitment to strengthen and future-proof this partnership from the ground up.
A Declining Trend in German Studies
And yet, demand for studying languages at universities has been in a downtrend, and courses offered have been declining in parallel. According to HESA, the numbers of full-time students enrolled in German or German studies at British universities decreased from 1,780 in 2019 to 1,330 in 2023, marking a 25% decrease in just four years. This highlights an alarming trend that could lead to further erosion of German language education in higher education institutions. In lockstep, several universities have closed their language departments entirely in recent years in response to budget constraints. Language centres can only, in part, make up for the loss that is generated by the lack of language degree courses – even though their existence is proof of the value and necessity universities attribute to language skills.
This development is, among others, a consequence of various decisions which have shaped the nature of educational politics in the UK as we know them today. It is thus more important than ever, that languages are given their due place in England’s Curriculum and Assessment Review – where the German Ambassador has made the plea for consistent language instruction over the entire educational journey. The assessment represents an important fork in the road and opportunity for a firm push towards stopping and gradually reversing the downtrend in language learning, lest it have long-term consequences for Britain’s position in global academia, diplomacy, and business.
The German Embassy and DAAD’s Commitment to German in the UK
The DAAD London has been around for over 70 years, as the DAAD’s oldest branch in the world. The German Embassy, the DAAD, and the Goethe-Institut London have been actively engaged in promoting German across all sectors in the UK for years. From providing scholarships and funding for students to supporting language teaching and teacher training at universities, we have consistently worked to strengthen German language education.
Each year, the DAAD funds many UK students to spend part of their summer at German universities, where they have the chance to learn German alongside young people from around the world. The annual German Language Competition, in collaboration with the Institute for Languages, Cultures, and Societies and other partners, encourages German learners to explore creative themes such as But Don’t Mention the War, Roads Not Taken and Love Letters between Victoria and Albert. The DAAD’s mission to promote the German language dates back to 1952, when the first DAAD Lecturer was placed at Aberystwyth University. At the time, no one could have predicted that this would lead to thousands more coming to the UK, teaching German language, literature, and culture to young Britons across UK universities. Our latest push comes in the form of our “Making the Case for German” initiative, which the German Ambassador Miguel Berger launched in late 2023 in partnership with the DAAD and the Goethe-Institut London. It serves as a comprehensive platform open to all who promote German in every sector, including schools, universities, and cultural organisations. Launched as a nationwide alliance, the initiative fosters collaboration through events, forums, and partnerships.
Such an alliance is necessary as this is a challenge we must address collectively. The Embassy, the DAAD, the Goethe-Institut and our partners will continue to support German in the UK through strategic initiatives, funding opportunities, and advocacy, but in order to reverse the trend, a national effort is needed. Universities, educators, policymakers, and businesses must work together to ensure that future generations have access to quality language education, and a communicative effort is necessary for people to recognize its immense value.
Giving a Collective #ShoutOutForGerman from 17 to 21 March
This is the reason why we came up with the idea for a #shoutoutforGerman campaign. In the week of 17 to 21 March dubbed German Week, we will celebrate all teachers and schools, university lecturers and German or Modern Languages departments, parents and pupils, students and civil society organisations such as town twinning associations as well as any individuals out there in the UK who are working very hard to keep German alive. Each and every one can take part, sharing what they like about German language, literature or culture. By sharing positive stories under the hashtag #ShoutOutForGerman, we will collectively give a huge shout out for all things German in the UK and hopefully convince some to dip their toes into the language of Klopp and Tuchel. The DAAD and the Goethe-Institut have further strengthened this campaign by offering a range of offerings to universities and schools alike.
Looking ahead
We firmly believe that multilingualism is not a luxury but a necessity in today’s world and that quality language education should be available to everybody. The Embassy, together with the Goethe-Institut, the DAAD and its partners will continue to make the case for German all across the country, by building alliances and supporting individual efforts to the best of our abilities. In this vein, the Embassy will soon start to officially recognise individuals and organisations who have shown particular dedication in promoting German in the UK. If Britain is to remain globally competitive, culturally enriched, and diplomatically agile, the decline in language learning has to be reversed. And German, as one of the most widely spoken languages in Europe and a key language of business and diplomacy, should be at the heart of that effort.