ITI raises concerns over proposed closure of LeCTIS
ITI's Chief Executive has written to senior leaders at the University of Leicester raising serious concerns about their plans to close the School of Modern Languages warning of the serious economic, cultural and educational risks of such a move.
For the attention of: Professor Nishan Canagarajah, Vice-Chancellor
Potential closure of the School of Modern Languages
The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) would like to register its profound concern regarding the University of Leicester’s proposed closure of the School of Modern Languages and, specifically, the potential loss of the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies (LeCTIS). We understand that Modern Languages is one of a range of study areas currently under threat as a result of the university’s actions to address budgetary pressures. In our view the closure of the school would cause significant harm to the UK’s educational, cultural and economic prospects, particularly given Leicester’s position as one of the leading centres for the study of languages, translation, and cultures in the UK.
Academic excellence
LeCTIS, established in 2011, draws together staff members who have diverse research interests in translation and interpreting. It is very well networked, maintaining active links with other research centres in the UK, Europe and Asia, including Leeds University, KU Leuven, and the European Society of Translation. LeCTIS organises regular research seminars and conferences, hosts visiting speakers, and has previously been involved in AHRC-funded events and EU-commissioned research projects.
More broadly, Leicester’s School of Modern Languages has been recognised as one of the leading centres for the study of languages, translation, and cultures in the UK, scoring in the top quintile for teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, and academic support in the 2023 National Student Survey. The department is also ranked in the top 20 in the 2024 Complete University Guide.
In addition, we note that the University of Leicester was ranked 30th in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 demonstrating the university’s commitment to world-leading excellence in research. To dismantle such a successful and well-respected department would therefore be a devastating loss to the academic community and would undermine the university’s hard-won reputation for research excellence.
Regional leadership and strategic importance
LeCTIS’s stated mission is to serve as an academic hub of translation and interpreting studies but also a bridge between academia and industry, particularly in the East Midlands. This unique positioning makes it essential for the region’s economic development and international engagement.
ITI is particularly appreciative of the team’s commitment to supporting the professional and practical development of the discipline. LeCTIS is a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting and plays an active role in the ITI East Midlands Regional Network. The “Building Bridges” networking events arranged in collaboration with the ITI East Midlands Network create vital links between students, academics and practising translators and interpreters – connections that have taken years to develop and would be impossible to recreate elsewhere in the region.
Economic considerations
The economic case for maintaining language provision is compelling. A 2022 study from the University of Cambridge and the not-for-profit research institute RAND revealed that removing linguistic barriers to trade could be worth an additional £19bn annually in UK exports. This supports the broader recognition that language capabilities are essential for the UK’s post-Brexit economic strategy.
Aston University’s LO-C 30 research on 415 UK SMEs revealed that companies making use of language capabilities are 30% more successful in exporting than those who do not. Failing to invest in language teaching therefore weakens the UK’s opportunity for sustainable economic growth. This point is well made in Languages for the Future, a report published by the British Council in 2017 which states:
“But all should recognise that the UK's language deficit remains a threat to our overall international competitiveness, influence and standing in the world, as well as to our citizens' ability to play a meaningful role in the global economy and in an increasingly networked world. We have now reached a critical juncture where investment in upgrading the UK’s language skills, which give unparalleled access to cultural knowledge and understanding, will pay important dividends.”
Furthermore, the proposal to close the School of Modern Languages risks undermining the UK’s skills and knowledge infrastructure at a critical time. Multiple studies have shown that employers in both public and private sectors place a high premium on graduates’ proven ability to learn languages. The additional skills fostered through language learning, such as improved literacy in the student’s native language as well as increased mental agility, creative originality and problem-solving ability enhance a student’s employability and their economic value to their future workplace.
Cultural understanding and international engagement
However, while future economic growth is clearly important, the broader benefits of language skills extend far beyond immediate economic returns. Language capabilities are essential for cultural exchange, diplomatic relations, and the UK’s ability to project itself effectively on the global stage. These capabilities are increasingly important as the UK continues to develop its post-Brexit international relationships.
LeCTIS provides essential professional linguistic training through its state-of-the-art interpreting facilities and comprehensive programme portfolio. This includes the BA Modern Languages and Translation, MA Translation (with multiple language pathways including Arabic and Chinese), and PhD and MPhil supervision in Translation Studies. Leicester’s graduates are therefore fully equipped to become the qualified translators and interpreters needed to support the UK’s international engagement. LeCTIS’s work in building international partnerships and fostering cultural understanding represents years of investment that would be lost permanently if the proposals proceed.
Conclusion
While we recognise, and sincerely regret, the financial pressures facing the higher education sector, we strongly urge the university to consider the many benefits of protecting the School of Modern Languages. LeCTIS represents precisely the kind of excellence that the University of Leicester has worked so hard to achieve in recent years. It embodies the university’s commitment to world-changing research and its role as a bridge between academic excellence and real-world impact.
We therefore call upon the University of Leicester to reconsider these far-reaching proposals and to work with stakeholders to find a sustainable solution that preserves this vital economic and cultural resource.
Yours sincerely
Sara Robertson FRSA FIIC
Chief Executive, Institute of Translation and Interpreting
