I agree that the cuts to language study at WVU deprive all its students of a seminal educational opportunity, such as highly marketable skills in intercultural competency and communicative competency. However, neither these negative consequences nor the World Languages department’s praiseworthy productivity could avoid their demise. How is this possible?

While cuts to language education have been reported throughout the country, most have happened at rural and less selective institutions. Decreased enrollment has obliged such institutions to reduce programs and staff, with the pandemic and politics acting as recent accelerants of already difficult budgetary situations. Thus, the list of universities and colleges eliminating some or all their language education over the last decade includes the likes of Missouri Western State University, SUNY Potsdam and Eastern Carolina University. WVU fits the same category because most of the state’s population lives in relatively poor rural communities of fewer than 2,500 inhabitants.

Instant Insights /

Beating the bottom line: Is language instruction doomed to fail at rural universities?

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