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Cambridge Uni threatens to close Portugese Language Dept.

Camera Boy | 31.01.2007 16:00 | Education | Cambridge

It's been announced just this week that Cambridge University is planning to shut down the Portugese Language Department.

The University used particularly underhand methods to announce this, as no prior notice was given to students this was going to take place, unlike last year's announcement of the possible closure of the Architechture Dept (thwarted!), where it was announced as a POSSIBILITY, rather than a CERTAINTY several months in advance.

Banner as Petition!
Banner as Petition!

Cambridge Capoeiristas show solidarity
Cambridge Capoeiristas show solidarity

Care for a dance..?
Care for a dance..?

A "ring leader", perchance..?
A "ring leader", perchance..?


In response to this announcement, a very short notice demo was organised, to which about thirty students, and a small contingent of the local Capoeira group, Grupo Senzala turned up to show their support.

Hopefully this will hearald the start of an ongoing campaign against this madness, which is set in the context of many foreign language departments across the country closing or being threatened with closure, along with adult learning courses (night classes) in foreign languages also seeming to be a threatened species.

All the more ironic when you consider that we are now as a population, more mobile than ever around the EU, so you might ask what's going on?!

Further reading:
 http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,825611,00.html

Camera Boy

Comments

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Another report

01.02.2007 19:29

The URL above has a bit more background, reaction of Portugese speaking society and such.

Rob Ray
- Homepage: http://www.easf.org.uk/report.php?id=445

Sitting here in Sao Paulo, seems like a terrible idea to me.

04.09.2007 18:50

I am dismayed at the news. I am sitting here in Sao Paulo, Brasil, a vibrant multi-cultural city, and have just decided to learn portugese. My decision has been influenced by my experience here. I work for a British company, which prides itself on being multiI cultured and international. However I am embarrased to admit that whilst I only speak Spanish, my collguese, depend on me to translate.I am confused and disheartened to say the least. After attending the adults Open Day at Cambridge in 2006, I was exceedingly impressed. How could a University such as Cambridge even consider it?

Jolene Gomez
mail e-mail: JJGomez14@terra.es