Mobility and Language ExperienceLanguage centres – support for student and staff mobility?

Jaroslava StaškováUniversity of Prešov

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Communication in foreign languages identified as one of

the top key competences for LLL

for improving their foreign language necessary to revise the view on the place of language learning (LL) and teaching at tertiary level,

universities expected • to offer students (and staff?) opportunities for learning new

languages,• prepare them for successful academic mobility or placements

(irrespective of their field of study or research).

KKey competences for ey competences for LLLLLL

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RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 18 December 2006 on transnational mobility within the Community for education and training purposes

The Charter offers guidance for mobility also with respect to linguistic preparation, e.g.:

Learning plan

Before undertaking mobility for education or training purposes, a learning plan, taking account of linguistic preparation, should be drawn up and agreed by the sending and hosting organisations and the participants. ...

General preparation

Prior preparation of the participants is advisable, and should be tailored to their specific needs. It should include linguistic, pedagogical, administrative, legal, personal and cultural aspects, and information on financial aspects, as necessary.

European Quality Charter for MobilityEuropean Quality Charter for Mobility

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Linguistic aspects

Language skills are important for effective learning, intercultural communication and a better understanding of the host country's culture. Participants, and their sending and hosting organisations, should pay special attention to appropriate linguistic preparation. Wherever possible, mobility arrangements should include:

• language assessment before departure and an opportunity to follow courses in the language of the host country and/or the language of instruction, if different;

• in the host country, linguistic support and advice.

European Quality Charter for MobilityEuropean Quality Charter for Mobility

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The Bologna process bringing changes to the HEIs in Europe:

• the structure of degree programmes (language components included in the core curriculum• the organisational structure of HEIs (new language centres)

Prešov University - Institute of Language Competences (2006)

HE Reform in EuropeHE Reform in Europe

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January 2009

a working party of directors from 27 language centres, representing universities from 13 countries in Europe met in Wulkow/Brandenburg, Germany.

“They met to discuss and define the strategic role of Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education in the process of Internationalisation of Higher Education in Europe by their expertise in teaching languages, fostering language acquisition, multilingual and intercultural communication, and in the areas of life long learning, employability and social inclusion.”

The Wulkow Memorandum on Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education in Europe

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Some conclusions:

Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education play a pivotal role in the development and delivery of effective internationalisation strategies throughout the European HE sector.

Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education actively contribute to the successful implementation of key aspects of the Bologna Process providing the linguistic and intercultural tools for effective mobility.

Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education actively contribute to the successful implementation of key aspects of the Bologna Process providing the linguistic and intercultural tools for effective mobility.

The Wulkow Memorandum on Language Centres The Wulkow Memorandum on Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education in Europeat Institutions of Higher Education in Europe

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Most frequently represented subject fields

in the Slovak Republic

Staff Mobility • Engineering • Foreign languages• Business and Management

Student Mobility • Business and Management• Engineering • Foreign languages

Who applies?Who applies?

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Less frequently represented subject fields

in the Slovak Republic

Staff Mobility • Geography• Law• Architecture

Student Mobility • Geography, Geology, Humanities, • Communication and Information Technologies

Who applies?Who applies?

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Most frequent destinations:

• Germany• The Czech Republic• Poland• France

reciprocity ... language competence

Where to?Where to?

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attempts to be an attractive university to

international researchers, teachers and students,

relevant, documents and publications in languages other than Slovak, primarily in English,

using all tools for successful mobility in both directions (ECTS),

personal communication and experience.

University of Prešov in PrešovUniversity of Prešov in Prešov

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pre-university LL (primary, secondary school,

language courses, language schools,

study periods, e.g. US experience)

in-university LL (language courses in one or

two languages, CLIL etc.)

in host university - EILC (where English is NOT the sole language of instruction)

Language Learning - Outgoing studentsLanguage Learning - Outgoing students

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Possibilities for students coming to study in Slovakia:

• 1 year language preparation for future BA/MA/PhD students for

studying in Slovak,• using a lingua franca and offering degree courses in a foreign

language,• EILC courses for Erasmus mobility students

Less widely used and taught language ...Less widely used and taught language ...

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Staff and students exchanges • represent an extraordinary professional and personal

experience not language stays (!)• improved foreign language competence a consequence not the

main objective

Participants should have:• ability to act as good ambassadors (personal qualitities – reliability, flexibility ...) • good professional and language knowledge

Order of importance?

Selection Criteria ?Selection Criteria ?

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Language preparation for students

• Language courses (LSP)• Academic writing in a FL• Presentation skills in a FL

Students of all the three cycles – recent focus on PhD students

Language courses for staff

Staff – teaching and administrative?

Institute of Language Competences PUInstitute of Language Competences PU

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Language preparation for incoming students:Language preparation for incoming students:

EILC

Slovak as a foreign language

all foreign languages taught at PU

Institute of Language Competences PUInstitute of Language Competences PU

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Koľko jazykov vieš, toľkokrát si človekom. Koľko jazykov vieš, toľkokrát si človekom.

The more languages you know, the more of a person The more languages you know, the more of a person you are. (Slovak proverb)you are. (Slovak proverb)

Instead of a Conclusion ...

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European Quality Charter for Mobility. http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/cha/c11085.htm

The Wulkow Memorandum on Language Centres at Institutions of Higher Education in Europe. Available at http://www.sz.euv-frankfurt-o.de/de/startsite_news/news1/Newsdoc/The-Wulkow-Memorandum.pdf

References: