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School of Languages, Cultures and SocietiesFACULTY OF ARTS
Developing co-curricular language learning activities
Carolin Schneider and Melinda Whong,Language Centre, University of Leeds
Definition
“Co-curricular refers to activities, programs, and learning experiences that
complement, in some way, what students are learning in school—i.e.,
experiences that are connected to or mirror the academic curriculum.
Co-curricular activities are typically, but not always, defined by their
separation from academic courses.”
(Source: http://edglossary.org/co-curricular)
Co-curricular activities
Supports independent language learning• Open six days a week during term time,
five days a week outside term time• Print and online resources,
including satellite TV• Large study area• Language Exchange Scheme• Co-curricular activities
The Language Zone
Support through Strategy and Policy
National Context: • challenges to Modern Languages• Politics of looking inward, but also Higher Education as successful
export commodity• Teaching Excellent Framework (TEF)University Context• Language Centre within School of Languages Cultures and Societies• Local control: exerting positive action in light of national constraints
Co-curricular activities
Students as central• All students
• Language learners from all backgrounds• Integration a primary aim
• Use the newly refurbished space: Language Zone• Student Education Service ethosResponse to TEF• Scholarship
• As part of workload• Opportunity to work across languages across the School• In partnership with students, where possible• In partnership with other academics, in the LC in other parts of the University
Strategy/Policy
Conversation Club• Practise listening and speaking skills• Weekly sessions during term time = one hour• Topics advertised in advance• Guest speakers and trips out, for example to art gallery
PowerPoint Karaoke• Practise speaking and presentation skills• Two volunteers - a presentation of 60 seconds each = 4 slides• They have never seen the slides before• Student-led
Existing offer: Language Zone
Language advising• Provision of information, for example about resources and options• Offering directional, specific advice and recommendations• Ad hoc support provided by Language Zone staff• One to one consultations staffed by teachers, with experience of
tutoring• Can cater for small groups
Existing offer: Language Zone
… an example we explored and abandoned
Peer Learning• Developed in response to overwhelming
demand for language exchange partners in English, French and German
• Native speakers spent 15-20 minutes speaking to learners on a one-to-one basis, offering listening and speaking practice
• No training or monitoring
Other activities
… that we explored and abandoned
Peer Learning• Now working well as language groups and
Tandem@Leeds• both student-led activities
• Learning point: initiatives require formalisation, with training and administration in place
Other activities
Points to keep in mind• Stakeholders: who are we doing this for?• Programme structures: do our activities benefit existing activities or
rival them?• Resourcing/staffing• Physical structures and space• Communication• Visibility and marketing
Want similar things?
Thank you for listening.Any questions?
Contact:Carolin Schneider: [email protected]
Melinda Whong: [email protected] Language Zone: [email protected]
The Language Zone
