University Language Centres Heading for a Bright Future

Heidi Rontu, PhD, adjunct professorDirectorLanguage CentreAalto University

What are you proud of in teaching of languages and communication in Spanish university language centres?

Professional

Flexible

(Pro)active

Pragmatic

Student centered

Result oriented

Structure of the presentation

1.Current status and challenges

2.Finnish perspective

3.Springboard for future

Current status and challenges

5

Role and position of language centres

6

Vision – mission – practice

Vision

Where is the language centre heading?

Mission

What are the main tasks of the centre?

Practice

What is the link to the everyday work at the centre?

7

Focus on teaching vs learning

8

Increasing multilingualism – decreasing

plurilingualism?

9

Finnish perspective

10

Framework• In the degree (bachelor/master), free-of-charge

Compulsory studieso Both national languages, Finnish & Swedisho At least one foreign language

Optional studieso Up to the student, some field specific recommendations

• University language centres since the 1970’s

Changes in the Finnish context

19.04.2312

Decrease in philology studies

Increase in multilingual needs in working life

Changes in the language landscape

Dominance of EnglishNew opportunities for language centres

Blended learning

Flipped classroom

Out-of-classroom learning

Integration

Focus on learning

Digitalisation

Springboard for future

14

What is the role of language(s) as part of academic competencies?

Language as an instrument for thinking / doing?

Language as thinking / doing?

17

Authenticity - Meaningfulness

18

Continuing professional development

Ability to adapt

Definition of own identity and status

Strong links to working life

Focus on learning

Collaboration

University Language Centres

Self-defining the Future

20

Kiitos!

Tack!

21