Why Humanities Still Matter

“As speakers of the world’s dominant language, English speakers often feel little urgency to learn other languages. But this convenience comes at a cost. In many contexts, English as a lingua franca (ELF) is now a vehicle for communication between numerous different cultures, with English-speaking nations not necessarily represented. But when they are, there is research to show that anglophones are often the least comprehensible!”

Jocelyn explains, “Speaking a language is much more than learning how to construct a sentence: it encompasses body language, expression, metaphor, culture, history and more. Anglophones who have not learned other languages are often not able to adapt their communication style to work with interlocutors from other cultures and linguistic backgrounds, even when the language of communication is English. There is a widespread underestimation of the skill involved in cross-cultural communication. Just because others can speak English doesn’t mean they will. And even when they do, subtle layers of meaning may still be lost.”

So, when we send our graduates out into the world, are they equipped with the right tools to thrive? Jocelyn believes that they are – but argues that we must better articulate this: “Arts and Humanities graduates possess a distinctive suite of ‘soft skills’ – such as adaptability, negotiation, and cultural empathy – that are increasingly important in a globalised job market. Languages graduates can top that with their linguistic skills and the benefits of living and working or studying abroad.”

Jocelyn adds, “These competencies are often overlooked in favour of more technical qualifications. Yet reports such as The Right Skills by The British Academy show that Arts & Humanities graduates consistently develop strengths in communication, collaboration, critical analysis, and ethical reasoning – high-level skills that are essential for solving complex global problems.

Despite the benefits, Jocelyn points to major challenges: “Since 2002 the UK has seen a sharp drop in the study of Arts & Humanities, particularly starkly in language learning. A report from The Higher Education Policy Institute states that, by 2018, only 46% of 16-year-olds in England took a GCSE in a foreign language, and by 2024 just 2.97% of A-levels were in Modern Foreign or Classical Languages – fewer than in Physical Education. Applications for language degrees are also falling, especially in disadvantaged areas, raising concerns that languages and the wider arts and humanities will be studied by an ever-narrower cross-section of society.

A utilitarian mindset is dominating the higher education applicant landscape, not least because of the high levels of student debt. Prospective students are making increasingly pragmatic choices, favouring degrees that appear to lead directly to lucrative careers, particularly in STEM fields. As a result, applications to Arts & Humanities courses are dwindling.”

A passionate advocate for the Arts & Humanities in general, and modern languages in particular, Jocelyn concludes with a call to action: “Subjects like history, philosophy, and modern languages provide the context behind today’s most pressing debates – from the ethics of AI and global inequality to interpreting our colonial past. We cannot fully understand our own fast changing world without the humanities. It is time to reframe the identity of our Arts & Humanities and linguist graduates for employability in a global context.”