Archived January 2004 ebulletin

News summary

The monthly Subject Centre e-bulletin gives information on events, news items and newly available resources.

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This bulletin contains information on the following:

  1. Teaching methodology, philosophy and social theory, Scottish CILT, University of Stirling
  2. Promoting and Evaluating the Use of the European Language Portfolio (ELP) in HE, CILT, London
  3. Pedagogic Research in Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, CILT, London
  4. Securing Dissemination: Extending Good Practice in Less Widely Used and Less Taught (LWULT) Languages, CILT, London
  5. Developing materials for the University Language Learner, CILT, London Call for Descriptions of Practice : DEADLINE 09 February 2004
  6. C & IT Workshop: Microsoft Powerpoint 'Making your point in HE', Kingwood CLC, Fulham, London
  7. Lexicom 2004 : 4th Annual Workshop in Lexicography and Lexical Computing, Brighton
  8. Online German Resources - Call for Reviewers
  9. Website - Research in Modern Languages in the UK
  10. Promoting Language Learning and Linguistic Diversity in Europe: Action Plan 2004 - 2006

Subject Centre events

1. Teaching methodology, philosophy and social theory

Wednesday 4 February 2004, Scottish CILT, University of Stirling.
Places are still available if you wish to attend this event. A programme and booking form are on the Subject Centre website.

2. Promoting and evaluating the use of the European Language Portfolio (ELP) in higher education

Monday 9 February 2004, CILT, London
This is a one-day workshop focusing on the reporting and implementation of the European Language Portfolio in Higher Education. It will provide an opportunity for the 11 UK universities participating in the Project to present and exchange experiences and ideas on the trial. The workshop is of particular interest for those who wish to:

  • Use the ELP in their own department/institution
  • evaluate the effectiveness of the ELP as a reflective and reporting tool.

 

For more information on the ELP Project, click on: www.lang.soton.ac.uk/cls/elp.html

3. Pedagogic research in Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

Friday 13 February 2004, CILT, London
This workshop, which is free of charge, will present the results of six projects funded under the Subject Centre's Pedagogic Research Fund. For further information please contact he-enquiries@cilt.org.uk.

4. Securing dissemination: extending good practice in Less Widely Used and Less Taught (LWULT) languages

20 February 2004, CILT, London
A highly informative and diverse workshop which highlights the end of a one-year project examining and addressing the particular needs of departments teaching minority languages. The 7 mini-projects that participated in the LWULT Project present their findings at this workshop.

The workshop is particularly recommended to those interested in:

  • Materials development for independent learning, face-to-face or distance teaching in LWULT
  • Innovative use of technology in learning and teaching
  • Collaboration across languages and between institutions

5. Developing materials for the university language learner

Friday 27 February 2004, CILT, London
Call for descriptions of practice: deadline: Monday 9 February 2004
This event organised by the Subject Centre and CILT is designed for colleagues in HE who are interested in exchanging expertise on the process of developing home grown materials for a number of contexts. The event is free of charge.

We are looking for colleagues willing to present short descriptions of practice showcasing materials they have developed in-house, covering any of the following four areas:

  • independent learning resources;
  • exploiting audio and video resources;
  • resources to support languages for specific purposes;
  • using the Internet as a mode of delivery (including developing within a VLE).

 

If you are interested in presenting a description of practice at this event please see the event webpage.

6. C& IT Workshop: 'Making your point in HE'

Friday 14 May 2004, Kingwood City Learning Centre, Fulham, London
This is a one-day hands-on course on the exploitation of Microsoft PowerPoint in language teaching in Higher Education. It is a collaborative venture between CILT and the Subject Centre. Bookings for this event are being taken by CILT, tel: 020 7379 5101 ext. 231 or email confs.direct@cilt.org.uk for further information.

Other items

7. LEXICOM 2004: 4th annual workshop in lexicography and lexical computing

06-11 June 2004, Brighton
Registration has now begun for this event via www.lexmasterclass.com where you will find full information about fees and the content of the workshop. The full fee (until 31 March 2004) is 720 GBP (or 1030 euro) and there are discounts for second and subsequent participants from the same institution.

8. Website - Research in modern languages in the UK

This website provides an online single point of reference for research interests in modern language studies across the UK.

The site has been developed over the last two years by CILT, the National Centre for Languages, Oxford Brookes University and the Institute of Romance Studies, University of London, with funding support from the UCML/Subject Centre Collaboration Programme in Modern Languages. The website provides a searchable online database of research conducted by UK-based researchers to which researchers may submit their details online, as well as events and resources databases. Data on research activity is now being collected. Please visit www.languagesresearch.ac.uk , register and then login to submit your details.

9. Promoting language learning and linguistic diversity in Europe: Action plan 2004 - 2006

Following a wide public consultation last year, the European Commission has launched an action plan (2004-2006) for promoting language learning and linguistic diversity in Europe. Three key areas for action have been identified as follows:

  • Extending the benefits of life-long language learning to all citizens;
  • Improving language teaching;
  • Creating a more language-friendly environment (p.6).

 

A series of specific measures utilising existing funding programmes have been proposed. For full details see the website of the European Commission at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/lang/languages/index_en.html


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