ABSTRACT

A greater level of informal language learning is now taking place than at any time in human history. Much of that learning is linked to unprecedented levels of migration across the globe. This poses challenges to the identity of higher education language teachers, particularly in the UK, where numbers of modern language students have stagnated, despite repeated efforts to stimulate growth over the past 20 years. While numbers of non-specialist learners show a healthier and more positive balance, this does nothing to address the immediate threats to the subject posed by public perceptions on the one hand and technological advances on the other. In facing these challenges, the modern languages community in UK universities might find an analogue in the changes in a close cousin, the translation industry but must above all insist on the continued relevance and professional status of the language teacher.

摘要

与人类历史上任何时候相比，现在进行的非正式语言学习水平更高。这些学习中的大部分与全球迁移的空前水平有关。这给高等教育语言教师的身份构成了挑战，特别是在英国，尽管在过去的20年中不断努力刺激增长，但英国现代语言学生的数量却停滞了。尽管非专业学习者的数量显示出更健康，更积极的平衡，但这无助于解决一方面公众观念和另一方面技术进步对学科构成的直接威胁。面对这些挑战，英国大学的现代语言社区可能会发现近亲的变化，