ebulletin: January 2009
The monthly Subject Centre e-bulletin gives information on events, news items and newly available resources. Register if you would like to receive notification of future e-bulletins via email.
General interest
LLAS issues an annual call for bids for pedagogic / action research projects in priority areas. LLAS welcomes applications for our guest speaker fund and for travel bursaries.
Date: 29 January, 2009 - 30 January, 2009
Location: Avenue Campus, University of Southampton
Event type: Symposium
Début: The Undergraduate Journal of Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies is an online peer-reviewed journal for undergraduate students of languages, linguistics and area studies. It aims to showcase scholarship carried out by undergraduate students in these subject areas. The first issue was launched in June 2010.
These materials are a course pack commissioned by the Subject Centre for use by education developers (workshop mode) or by individual staff (online mode). The materials provide reflective activities designed to engage teachers with some of the key issues in working with international students and practical ideas for ways in which these can be addressed. They will be of particular interest to new staff or anyone new to working with international students. Learning outcomes include; increased awareness of areas of the UK learning experience that may present challenges for international students, Strategies for improving the learning experience of international students.
LLAS runs an annual student essay competition open to anyone studying languages, linguistics or area studies as part of their HE course.
Languages
Date: 20 February, 2009
Location: Western Infirmary Seminar Rooms, Dumbarton Road, University of Glasgow, G11 6NT
Event type: Workshop
Date: 20 March, 2009
Location: Mansfield Cooper Building - Room 2.1, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester
Event type: Workshop
Linguistics
Date: 23 January, 2009
Location: Seminar Room 3.06, Baines Wing, University of Leeds
Event type: Workshop
Area Studies
Date: 4 March, 2009
Location: Loughview Suite, Jordanstown Campus, University of Ulster
Event type: Conference
Other news
The next plenary meeting of UCML takes place on Friday 16 January at University College London from 11.30 to 15.30. This meeting is open to all those whose institutions are members of UCML. Full details including the agenda are available on the UCML website.
The morning meeting will include a debate on research in Modern Languages. Professor Nigel Vincent, Chair of Panel M for RAE 2008 will be in attendance. We are inviting your comments on the ERIH in advance of the meeting. Please see the website for further details. There will also be a presentation on the latest developments with the Diploma in Languages.
The afternoon meeting will take the form of a debate on Language Study and Internationalisation. The speakers will be Kate Board and Michael Worton.
Introducing the Diploma in Languages
The Diploma in Languages is an exciting new qualification for students aged 14 to 19, which is due to be launched in schools from 2011. Blending theory and practice, the new Diploma in Languages will show how languages can be applied at work and at leisure – bringing language learning to life. The innovative programme also proposes to teach young people intercultural skills, translation and interpreting skills, and will help them learn about the way language works to become independent language learners. For more information on the Diploma in Languages, visit: www.diploma-in-languages.co.uk
Consultation events – IMPORTANT DATE CHANGES
The dates for consultation on the Line of Learning statement for the Diploma in Languages (alongside that of the Diploma in Science and the Diploma in Humanities) have been moved back to allow more people to take part. These events follow on from previous consultation events in September and October 2008 and give a final opportunity for those in business, schools, higher education, further education and other stakeholders to feed back on the proposed content for the Diploma in Languages.
Consultation events will now take place in February 2009 at the following locations:
London – 9th February
Leeds – 11th February
Newcastle – 13th February
Birmingham – 23rd February
You can view the agenda and register to attend one of these events via the QCA website: www.qca.org.uk/diplomaphase4. Those who had already registered for a January event will be contacted directly with the alternative dates.
