Subgroup 5 Year One Report Language Learning

Definition of LL

- Developing the ability to communicate in the second/foreign language/s

- Language and intercultural aspects – as part of language process and outcomes

- Common European Framework of Reference – to label course and examination levels

Definition of LL

A reflection of practices & procedures in 12 member institutions (PL, NL, AT, BE, BG, DE, ES, FI, FR, IT, LU, LV, UK, TR)

1 language for specialists2 language for non specialists / service

languages3 language of instruction4 language for social purposes (mobility,

students studying abroad)

Language learning

Comprehensive universities – all 4 aspects

Universities offering specialised/profiled education – aspects 2 – 4

Delivery

1. Mode:1. Face to face2. Blended learning3. On-line courses – minority

2. Affiliation1. Language centres2. Language departments3. Other departments4. Outsourced

Assessment/evaluation

1. Exams 1. written and oral, administered by expert language

teachers2. Computer-based tests3. The same test format for non-specialist students

2. Exit levels 1. Defined in CEF terms for non-specialist students2. Not the case for specialist students

3. No significant changes in the assessment procedure

1. Grades not related to CEF2. Exit level proficiency not mentioned in the diplomas3. Language exams not CEF-proof

QA mechanisms1. Few countries – national QA

mechanisms2. Audits or accreditations rare if any3. Institutional QA systems under

development or in use – variety of approaches (top-down, bottom-up)

4. QA adopted at language centre level5. Tools

Additional information

1. Little co-operation/co-ordination between language centres and language departments

2. Self-access centre3. Language advisers4. Language learning in the context of

lifelong learning: a need for study1. Provision2. Validation

Case studies

Cross-border, joint cases:• Effective language delivery• CEF and related instruments in

language courses and programmes• Relation between academic

programmes and stakeholders, external providers

• Institutional approaches to QA• Continuous professional

development

Effective language deliveryIn this case study innovative aspects that

potentially increase the effectiveness of language programmes are addressed, because they add value to the language learning experience. In particular, we think of opportunities increasing authentic interaction and exposure to the target languages (and cultures), e.g. integrating study abroad into the language programme and using CMC (computer mediated communication) tools, both asynchronous and synchronous

CEF and related documents

in language courses and programmesThis case study will focus on how CEF related instruments

such as ELP and Dialang can be adapted and integrated in language programmes,

to achieve transparency and comparability of learning outcomes

to foster autonomous learning and language awareness among learners.

In particular we will describe the following experiences: Germany: the development of new modules and new

descriptors for academic language skills (2-year project),Latvia: the use of the ELP with teachers and non-specialist

students,The Netherlands: the use of the ELP with specialist

students and of Dialang and ELP with non-specialist to promote reflective learning and autonomy.

Relation between academic programmes and stakeholders, external providersIn this case study we will identify quality issues related to

different kinds of interfaces between academic language teaching providers and external agencies, e.g. ministries, employers, private companies, private and national language institutes, non-profit organisations, commercial language testers, publishers

The following experiences will be described:Italy: the development of tests for primary school teachers

commissioned by and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education,

Belgium: experience with external clients and partners,Spain: language testing hosted by academic centres,

delivered through Universia, with funding by Banco Santander,

Germany: the development of courses in cooperation with Instituto Cervantes

Institutional approaches to QA

In this case we will identify different institutional approaches to quality assurance in language teaching/learning and how they impact the process of language provision/delivery and its effectiveness (in terms of learning outcomes). In particular we shall describe a stricter, more structured and prescriptive, top-down approach of the University of Ulster, and a more liberal, bottom-up approach of the University of Warsaw

Continuous professional development