The 2014 A Level results were published in August. In a context where the recent “first results count” reforms have led to large numbers of students deferring entry for a year, the JCQ said about A Level language entries:

“Although French, German and Spanish all had fewer entries than last year (down 7.4, 0.1, and 0.6 per cent respectively), as a proportion of all UK entries there is stability. The proportion of candidates awarded A* in these modern foreign languages increased.”

Full results are available at http://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/a-levels and the JCQ’s press statements are available at http://www.jcq.org.uk/media-centre/news-releases

The Speak to the Future campaign has issued an analysis of the trends at A Level at http://www.speaktothefuture.org/what-is-happening-to-languages-at-a-level/

The International Federation of Language Teacher Associations, who work closely with The Languages Company including as Association Partners on the LUCIDE project, will be holding their World Congress at Niagara Falls next year: 26-28 March 2015.

The Call for Papers is now open, and closes soon: 1 May 2014. Find out more at http://fiplv.com

The European Commission’s Erasmus programme of funding for cultural and work exchange between institutions and individuals has been relaunched with an increase of over 40% in its budget. It is called Erasmus+

Institutions & individuals can get funding for work, study or training abroad, and the money is available now.

Any individual or institution interested in study, training, work experience or volunteering abroad; or in organising a transnational partnership for their education, training or youth organisation, may be eligible for funding from Erasmus+.

Erasmus+ is the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. Funding has been increased by 40% and we encourage everyone in the UK who is eligible to apply.

The UK national agency for Erasmus+ is the British Council and they have a specially-developed web portal for anyone in the UK who is interested in accessing this funding. Interested parties should:

• Visit the Erasmus+ UK website: The website includes information, advice, webinars and guidance.
• It is also possible to follow Erasmus+ UK for the latest news via Twitter: #erasmusplusuk

For information about Erasmus+ from the European Commission itself, visit http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/index_en.htm