LJMU at forefront of campaign to reverse decline in English study

LJMU’s Kate Walchester joined luminaries from the world of English Language and Literature at Westminster to launch a ‘Charter for Change’ for their study.

Kate, who is Chair of the professional association University English, attended a Parliamentary Breakfast hosted by the Lord Baker of Dorking to make the case for support for English, which is now in decline in schools and universities.

She was joined by colleagues from The English Association, the Institute of English Studies and Bloomsbury Press who want changes at GCSE and A level and other measures to promote language and literature studies.

The lobbyists says that despite underpinning a wide range of sectors from law and finance to healthcare and public service, English is routinely sidelined.

British 'soft power'

“English – in verse, lyric, film, humour and more – is the foundation of our creative industries which are worth £120bn to the Exchequer each year. Let’s stop taking for granted one of foundations of British ‘soft power’ across the world.

“We are sleepwalking into a situation where we are set to lose one of our greatest national assets.”

Dr Walchester, subject leader for English Language and Creative Writing at LJMU, said: “While English remains a vibrant and popular subject at LJMU, nationally the picture is more patchy and we risk losing graduate skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and high-level communication which are essential to employers and society. Launching the Charter for English is an important step forward."

Organisers says the event was an opportunity to change the public conversation about English, demonstrate its contribution to the nation, celebrate its power and work to guarantee access to English for all. You can read more about the Charter for Change here: https://englishassociation.ac.uk/charter-for-change-launched-at-westminster/