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Updating the language policy at Siberian Technical Universities
(Tempus Tacis Project JEP 27127-2006)
Klaus Schwienhorst, Leibniz Universität Hannover
17 May 2010 20th Anniversary Tempus Conference, Tyumen, Russia 2
Overview
• Why did we start this project?• What did we do?• What were our goals?• What did we achieve?• What needs to be done?
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Why did we start this project?• Perceived deficit in achieved language proficiency
levels• Perceived lack of new teaching methods and
materials• Perceived lack of link between language and subject
lectures• Perceived lack of link between university and
international companies operating in the respective regions
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What did we do?
• Lecturer mobilities• Workshops and monitorings• Tandems between language and subject lecturers to
create lectures• New equipment to enable technology-supported
language learning• Internships at international companies• Materials collections and publications• Contracts, agreements, and letters of intent
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What were our goals?
• Raising the level to B2, at least for 33% of students• More communicative methods and technical tools,
learner autonomy• Creating “tandems” that provide subject courses in
English and German• Creating systems of internships for the best students• Convincing the universities to sustain the changes
beyond the project cycle
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What did we achieve?
• At 54% students at B2 level we have achieved far more than the 33% we initially targeted. 30% of students even managed to achieve a low C1 level.
• Teaching methods have changed substantially.• Materials and technical equipment have been updated.• A number of subject courses now exist in English and
German, but more sustainability is needed.• Internships are running well and will be sustained.• A publication has been compiled in Russian.• Sustainability issues are and remain critical for success.
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What needs to be done?• We have shown what a technical university needs to do to
become international, i.e. on the one hand, to prepare their own students for international studies and an international workplace, and on the other hand, to become a more attractive place for international students to study in by providing a more international atmosphere and international subject courses.
• It is up to each university if they want to prioritise this process or not. Thus we and the EU requested a “letter of intent” signed by each university rector, detailing which changes they will keep in place or expand upon. This will certainly be a means for accountability and affect each university’s standing in future EU projects.
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Contact:
Klaus Schwienhorst, [email protected]
