Archived November 2003 ebulletin

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This bulletin contains information on the following:

1. Selling Languages: challenges and solutions - The Women's Library, nr. London Metropolitan University, London - 12 November 2003
2. Resources and activities for developing intercultural competence - CiLT, London - Wednesday 26 November 2003
3. Intercultural learning: IALIC forum - University of Lancaster - 16 December 2003
4. LLAS Notes - Order your free copy now
5. The European Language Teacher - publication by M. Grenfell, M.Kelly & D.Jones
6. Students and the workplace
7. Applied linguistics - materials for teaching available
8. Skill: national bureau for students with disabilities - new guide 'Into Work Experience'
9. Irish Studies in the curriculum - Friday 7 November 2003 - Senate House, London
10. Focus on skills - Saturday 15 November 2003 - Goethe Institut, London

Subject Centre events

1. Selling Languages: challenges and solutions

Wednesday 12 November 2003 - The Women's Library, nr. London Metropolitan University
This event will look at some of the findings of recent research into attitudes towards language learning at post 16 and post 19 level and will explore some of the curriculum developments that can and are being adopted to switch students back on to language learning and to respond to the 'changing needs of students'. Examples will be offered of ab initio degree programmes, the 3-year degree and the development of foundation degrees. We will also look at the ways in which the proposed 'Language Ladder' relates to progression in language learning at HE level. If you would like to register for this event please visit: the Selling Languages event page.

PLEASE NOTE there will be a charge of £40 per person for this event to cover costs. Your institution will be invoiced for this amount nearer the date. There are only a few places left. Please book by Friday 7 November 2003.

2. Resources and activities for developing intercultural competence

Places still available - Wednesday 26 November, 11.30- 16.00, CILT, Covent Garden, London, £35.
This one-day seminar is designed primarily for tutors in higher education concerned with the development of intercultural competence in students studying on languages or area studies programmes, or having to acquire intercultural competence for specific purposes.

The day will present up to six case studies. Themes covered include: Development of Web-based intercultural training materials; materials suitable for distance learning; using contemporary visual resources as a stimulus for intercultural learning; assessment frameworks for intercultural learning. For further details and to book a place contact confs.direct@cilt.org.uk or tel: 020 7379 5101, quoting reference OS1103HE or visit www.cilt.org.uk/cpd/Resources_for_Intercultural_Competence.htm.

3. Intercultural learning: IALIC forum

Tuesday 16 December 2003 - University of Lancaster
Affiliated to the 4th Annual Conference of IALIC (International Association for Languages and Intercultural Communication) this forum will look at intercultural education in general (where, when and how it is delivered) and will explore specific issues relating to the learning, teaching and assessing of intercultural skills. It will present examples of practical approaches to intercultural teaching (tasks, tools and methods) and consider research findings on the impact/outcomes of intercultural learning. It will also consider the role of the educator - (inter)cultural attitudes, values and being.

The forum will be chaired by Mike Byram (University of Durham) and will combine formal presentations and workshop/ discussion sessions.

The event is being sponsored/organised by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS).

The Pedagogical Forum is open to non-delegates of the conference who can reserve a place by completing the registration form. The programme for the forum will be available very shortly on the Subject Centre website.

Details of the IALIC conference can be found at: www.ialic.org

Please note: There will be a charge of £40 per person to cover costs BUT conference delegates do not need to register separately for the Pedagogical Forum as it forms part of the overall conference package.

Subject Centre publications

4. LLAS Notes

Order your free copy now. Online Feedback Form now available.
This is a reminder that free copies of the new LLAS notebook are now available. Simply complete the online order form. The notebook includes the updated "Why Study Languages?" CD, featuring new presentations on Linguistics and Area Studies, in addition to a directory of contact details for associations in each subject area, information on studying at university and statistical tables and graphs relating to the provision of courses in each area. If you have already received your copy of LLAS Notes, the Subject Centre is interested to hear your views so please fill in the feedback form.

5. The European Language Teacher

This publication by Michael Grenfell, Michael Kelly and Diana Jones, published by Peter Lang looks at recent trends and future developments in Teacher Education. It examines the contexts for addressing language teacher training, current provision in language teacher training and provides case studies of good practice as well as recommendations for action to further good practice. Copies of the publication (price £32) are available from the Subject Centre. Please email the Subject Centre (llas@soton.ac.uk) if you would like to order a copy.

Other items

6. Students and the workplace

We would welcome information on how you prepare your students for the workplace. Please reply to this message with a brief reply to any or all of the following questions:

• How do you prepare your students for the workplace?
• Do you run modules to prepare your students for the world of work?
• What else do you do to help your students prepare for life after graduation?

If you have any queries on this, please contact John Canning: j.canning@soton.ac.uk

7. Applied linguistics - materials for teaching available

The FDTL DATA project was run from King's College London and was funded to provide materials to teach Applied Linguistics in the areas of: qualitative research, quantitative research, educational management, evaluation and teacher education

These materials are now ready: a free copy comprising hard copy in ringbinders, CD roms and digitised video files is available to each UK department which provides teaching in these areas. A trial site with more information about the project can be found at www.jeges.net/fdtl/

If you wish to obtain these materials for your department, please email the Subject Centre (llas@soton.ac.uk) giving the name and email address of the appropriate recipient. These will be forwarded to the project coordinators. If you have any questions about the project, contact Gareth Skehan: garethskehan@aol.com

8. Skill: national bureau for students with disabilities - new guide 'Into Work Experience'

Skill's new guide for disabled people thinking about doing work experience is free of charge to staff and disabled students in Higher Education. Please contact Liz Victor at Skill, Tel: 0207 450 0643 or email lizv@skill.org.uk

Conferences and seminars

9. Irish Studies in the curriculum

Friday 7 November 2003 - Senate House, London
In the last 20 years, Irish Studies has established an identity not just as a research specialism but as a focus for teaching. The term 'Irish Studies' serves to describe curricula which draw on a range of discourses which in turn are inflected by debates within and between academic disciplines. This symposium on 'Irish Studies in the Curriculum' will give delegates the opportunity to reflect on approaches to, and strategies for, the delivery of curricula or elements of curricula which focus on representations of Ireland and Irishness. (Please note this event is free of charge) For a preliminary programme and to register: www.english.ltsn.ac.uk/events/future/index.htm or email us at: esc@rhul.ac.uk

10. Focus on skills

Saturday 15 November 2003 - Goethe Institut, London
The 3rd London Conference for Teachers of German 'Focus on Skills' Conference will be held at the Goethe Institut in London with the support of the German Dept and Modern Language Centre King's College London, Language Centre University College London, AMGS and the Austrian Cultural Forum on Saturday 15 November 2003. The Conference languages will be German and English. A programme and an application form is available at : www.ucl.ac.uk/language-centre/conference alongwith abstracts of the plenary talks and workshops. Any queries please contact Adam Salisbury at a.salisbury@ucl.ac.uk

We would be grateful if your would forward this bulletin to colleagues and relevant mailing lists. Please do not hesitate to contact the Subject Centre if you have any queries regarding this bulletin.

Jane Copeland
Subject Centre Secretary
Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
School of Modern Languages
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton SO17 1BJ

tel. 023 8059 4814
email ljc2@soton.ac.uk