News and Research

NCLE wishes to send many congratulations and warmest thanks to Andrea Pfeil, Head of the Language Department and Deputy Director at the Goethe-Institut London, who is moving on from her post in London this week to take up her new role in South Africa. The Goethe-Institut is one of three NCLE Consortium partners and Andrea has played an essential role within the project from its inception. It remains crucial to place … Continued

The National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) is proud to announce continued support from the DfE to expand our reach across the regions. During 2026 – 2027, NCLE will be strengthening system leadership for languages through our established and highly effective Strategic Learning Networks (SLNs). Building on the successful outcomes from our National Priority Projects (NPPs), … Continued

It’s Portsmouth Language Week this week, part of the innovative Portsmouth City of Languages initiative, co-led by NCLE’s Solent Language Network. Read on to find out more about the Cities of Languages initiative, how NCLE is supporting them, and ways you can get involved in this type of high-impact collaboration. Portsmouth: A city of languages … Continued

NCLE Director and Honorary Professor Bernardette Holmes MBE joined NCLE Consortium Partners Vicky Gough from the British Council, and Andrea Pfeil from the Goethe-Institut, to open ALL’s Language World conference with a rallying call to all languages teachers and their Headteachers. Languages, intercultural understanding, and communication between peoples, have never been more important than they … Continued

We are inviting schools to take part in our National Priority Projects, focused on two key themes in language education:  These structured projects will be led and supported by the NCLE, with a small amount of funding available for participating schools.  Schools will have the opportunity to discover, test and co-construct innovative teaching approaches, developing … Continued

A set of free resources developed by Sheffield City of Languages co-founder Prof Sabine Little in partnership with Twinkl is available now for anyone to access. NCLE’s Home, Heritage and Community Languages (HHCL) Officer Clare Allison tells us more about this wonderful set of resources and how it dovetails with NCLE’s approach to supporting HHCL across the country.  Wonderful resources to celebrate all languages … Continued

At NCLE, we believe in championing and supporting the rich diversity of languages in addition to English spoken by one in every five of our pupils. We believe that young people’s linguistic repertoire should be celebrated and harnessed as an asset for new learning. Here, Clare Allison, NCLE’s HHCL Consultant Development Officer, explores why recognising … Continued

NCLE welcomes the recommendations in the Curriculum and Assessment Review and the Government’s renewed commitment to primary language learning. Bernardette Holmes MBE, Honorary Professor at UCL Institute of Education and NCLE Director, said: “Investing in the language education of young learners is a wise decision which should equip the next generation with the global communication and … Continued

The National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE) has launched a new operating model to support language teachers across the country, including LEO: the new, free online CPD platform.  Bernardette Holmes, NCLE Director, sets out the vision for NCLE and how this translates to our work.  Written by Bernardette Holmes MBE, NCLE Director The NCLE supports … Continued

As languages teachers, we are constantly seeking ways to inspire and motivate our pupils, enhance our practice, and stay ahead of the latest pedagogical developments. The challenges we face are many: engaging every learner, integrating educational technology and AI, ensuring all pupils reach their full potential in languages learning, and making the case for our … Continued