Presentation Transcript

1. Modern Languages at Bangor University:French, German, Spanish, Italian to degree level (incl. Dutch and Galician) All four, plus Mandarin and Japanese, as evening classes for non-specialists Embedding Languages in University Policy: ‘Languages for All’ programmeNew initiative to begin in Sept 2014: free non-specialist classes for all students; linked to employability award and internationalisation programme Translation StudiesExpansion to attract international postgraduate community; central to Welsh policy; collaboration with CanolfanBedwyr(Translation Unit). Relevant research clustersSignificant within Welsh context, e.g. minority languages and non-state cultures Collaboration with Confucius InstituteNew centre; growing importance of Mandarin in light of university activity in China; Law programme ‘with Chinese Studies’ Joint activity with other Schools Joint research and teaching activities embed languages across the curriculum, e.g. joint-taught modules (with Linguistics, English, Music), collaborative postgraduate provision; research activity across Arts & Humanities.
2. Influencing policy at Kingston University Context Institution-wide change & the new academic framework Focus on employability The new model Challenges & opportunities
3. Aston Languages for All in context Background Language Provision UWLP since 2002 From 3 to 7 languages since 2007 From 2 to 3 levels LFA since 2012: Key Added Value for recruitment Runner Up for Guardian HE Awards 2013 Aston identity:  ‘Astonishing Aston Transforming Lives’ Aston 2020 strategy prioritises Global Citizenship School of Languages and Social Sciences’ key role  in delivering language training and support for international placements
4. Languages for All Challenges Success < joint efforts of Determined and passionately committed linguists Senior management convinced of the value of languages for employability in a globalised economy Administrative support Timetabling for students and tutors Space Resource allocation
5. Challenging University funding models Funding Models for Languages for All Funding Models for Interdisciplinary Programmes and Modules Clodagh Brook, University of Birmingham

6. UCML

   Nick Byrne Director LSE Language Centre
7. KEY points of LSE Language policy 2011/12 LSE actively encourages all students to take full advantage of the language learning opportunities on offer All academic departments allow students to take a language degree option for at least one year, but most already allow two years of study. A third year of study is negotiable. LSE recognises the importance of language skills not only for employability but also for their intellectual value Any undergraduate student who does not have a GCSE Grade C or equivalent in a foreign language that is not their mother tongue will automatically qualify for a free language certificate course for one year Proposed 2014/15: All academic departments will allow students to take a language degree option for two years. Departments will be encouraged to allow a third year of language study. All students who have completed three years of assessed language study should have “with French etc.” added to their degree. Language as 5th option proposed. www.lse.ac.uk/languages
8. Modern Languages at Cardiff University 1. Creation of a new School of Modern Languages from the current School structure combined with Politics. Launch September 2014, with a global brief and reach beyond current ‘European’ configuration 2. Launch of a University wide ‘Languages for All’ programme from September 2014. The LfA programme will be free to all students undertaking Cardiff University degree programmes, offering: flexible, tailored modules that are sector-leading in both their academic rigour and their engagement with latest innovations in language teaching; diverse study options at a range of externally benchmarked levels (from ab initio to advanced) and with different intensities (self-study; blended; block-based) a range of both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing routes, enabling students to study a language either alongside or as part of their degree; an extensive and flexible portfolio of languages that will span both established and emergent languages sought by employers, including a number of lesser taught languages; free-standing intercultural awareness modules that will prepare students for life in their chosen overseas destination, including other Anglophone cultures. Key factors in influencing University policy: Newly emergent institutional focus on internationalisation and employability with the new School and LfA key to delivery of target of 17% of all Cardiff students spending at least four weeks studying, working or volunteering abroad over the course of their programme Advocacy role of internal stakeholders: modern linguists have been able to mobilise key institutional figures to support and develop modern language initiatives, ranging from the VC to the new College PVC and College Deans of International. External UK (and Welsh) context has created ‘urgency’ for an institutional wide response.