Archived ebulletin: March 2006

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This bulletin contains information on the following:

1. Languages and employability - Multi-site Video Conference
2. Pragmatics and intercultural comminucation
3. Bologna process
4. Improving the learning experience of international students workshop
5. Teaching Area Studies in the age of the internet seminar
6. Introduction to methods for pedagogic research in Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
7. Subject Centre Conference 2006
8. HE Academy interdisciplinary teaching and learning group - Call for papers
9. Subject Centre CD 'Why Study Languages?'
10. Networking day for Humanities Librarians
11. Networking day for Humanities careers advisers
12. Innovations in supporting the first year student experience
13. AHRC Survey - Your use of ICT in research
14. Other events
15. Subject Centre website updates
16. National teaching fellowship scheme - Call for nominations - Individual Awards 2006
17. Updating of AULC statistics - Urgent and final call for numbers
18. Vacancy - UCML

Subject Centre Events

1. Languages and employability - Multi-site Video Conference

This video conference will be held on Friday 10 March 2006. If you require more information see the Subjct Centre events page.

2. Pragmatics and intercultural comminucation

27 March 2006
The British Council, London
A National Research Colloquium organised by the team responsible for the ESRC-funded PIC Project (Pragmatics and Intercultural Communication) 2003-2006. The aims of the colloquium are to disseminate information about the background to the PIC Project and to report on the Projects provisional findings and on the support materials which emanate from it. The meeting will also consider the Projects contribution to current developments in the administration of the Assistants Programme. The meeting has been jointly organised by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, The British Council and the University of Lancaster. It will take place on 27th March 2006 11.00 16.00 at the British Council, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Places are limited so an early response is recommended. For more information and to register see the Subject Centre events page.

3. Bologna process

Senate House, University of London
12 May 2006
This seminar will report on the latest developments in the Bologna Process relating to the 'framework of qualifications' and will explore some of the key issues relating to the implementation in the UK and across Europe. The event will have a particular focus on the Humanities and will include reports on the latest discussion on this issue at European level. It will be of interest to senior managers, international officers, curriculum developers and subject practitioners in the Humanities. The seminar will be free of charge. Details and how to register can be found at the Subject Centre events page.

4. Improving the learning experience of international students workshop

This workshop will run twice at the following venues:
28 April 2006 University of Southampton
09 June 2006 Sheffield Hallam University
This event is intended for staff in all disciplines who teach international students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It will consist of a 2-hour workshop during which staff will explore issues of culture, learning styles and academic practice which can have an impact on both the experience of the student and on the teaching practice of staff. This will be followed by presentations from researchers, teachers and support services who work with international students. The expected outcomes of the day will be an increased awareness of the needs of international students and strategies for addressing them without compromising the quality and standards of the teaching and learning offered to all students. The event will run twice and has been sponsored by the Higher Education Academy.
See the Subject Centre events page for more information about the University of Southampton based workshop and the Sheffield Hallam University based workshop.

5. Teaching Area Studies in the age of the internet seminar

5 May 2006
Senate House, University of London
Call for papers deadline: 31 March 2006
Papers are invited in any aspect of the theory and/or practice of Internet use in the teaching of area studies. Please send a 150-200 word abstract of your paper to John Canning at : j.canning@soton.ac.uk by 31 March 2006. Further information about this event can be found at the Subject Centre events page.

6. Introduction to methods for pedagogic research in Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

17 May 2006
Cilt, London
This interactive workshop is a one-day introduction to methods for pedagogic research. No previous experience of using social science methods is assumed. The programme is to be confirmed, but is expected to cover the following topics:

• Formulating research questions
• Questionnaire design and analysis
• In-depth interviewing and focus groups
• Ethics in research
• Dissemination and reporting

The workshop is free, but participants will need to provide their own lunch. Places are limited and priority will be given to practitioners in LLAS departments. Please register at the Subject Centre events page.

7. Subject Centre Conference 2006

University of Cardiff, Wales
6-7 July 2006
Please visit the Subject Centre website for all the information and registration details of this third biennial conference for Languages in Higher Education, jointly organised by CILT, the National Centre for Languages and the LLAS Subject Centre.

8. HE Academy interdisciplinary teaching and learning group - Call for papers

'Disciplines in Dialogue II : Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning'
13-14 July 2006
University of Birmingham
Call for papers: extended deadline - Friday 3 March 2006
Abstracts (200 - 250 words) for this conference should be submitted to Carol Churchouse at cfc@soton.ac.uk by FRIDAY 03 MARCH 2006. For more information and registration form go to the Subject Centre events page.

Subject Centre CD 'Why Study Languages?'

9. Subject Centre CD 'Why Study Languages?'

The Subject Centre has launched a new CD designed to excite, educate and encourage young people to continue with their language learning in KS4 and beyond. The CD is divided into two parts:'The Language Lab' is aimed at putils in KS3 and KS4 and 'Why study languages' is aimed at pupils in KS4 and post-16. There are quizzes, powerpoint presentations and much much more and it comes with its own poster. Further information about the CD and how to order can be found on the Subject Centre website.

Other Subject Centre Network Events

10. Networking day for Humanities Librarians

17 May 2006
Goodenough College, London
The English Subject Centre (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk) in collaboratoin with other humanities Subject Centres is convening a second meeting for HE/FE librarians with an interest in the humanities on 17 May 2006 in central London. It is envisaged that the next meeting will provide a forum for humanities librarians to discuss any issues of common concern and to share experience. The meeting will be free of charge and run from approx. 10.30 am to 3.30 pm. A buffet lunch will be provided.
If you would like to attend please complete the online registration form available at the English Subject Centre events page (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/events/future/event_detail.php?eventId=70).

11. Networking day for Humanities careers advisers

16 June 2006
Goodenough College, London
The English Subject Centre (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk), in collaboration with other humanities Subject Centres and their AGCAS buddies at Liverpool and UEA, is convening a meeting for HE career advisers with an interest in the humanities on 16th June 2006 in central London. It is envisaged that the meeting will provide a forum for careers advisers to discuss any issues of common concern and to share experience. The meeting will be free of charge and run from approximately 10.30am to 3.30pm. A buffet lunch will be provided.
If you would like to attend, please complete the online registration form available from the English Subject Centre events page (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/events/future/event_detail.php?eventId=72).

Higher Education Academy Event

12. Innovations in supporting the first year student experience

University of Edinburgh (11 May 2006)
This conference is part of the Academy's Innovations programme and recognises the importance of the first year experience for the integration of students into, and eventual success in, Higher Education. The DEADLINE for Registration is 27 April 2006 but early booking is advised. Further details are available on the Academy website (www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/List_3976.htm).

Survey

13. AHRC Survey - Your use of ICT in research

The University of Bristol has been awarded a one-year grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to find out how arts and humanities scholars currently use ICT in their research and what their needs for the future are. Your views will make a difference as there is to be a review of the AHRC strategy programme in 2006 which will address research community needs; data from this survey will inform that review. The survey isavailable at the AHRC website (www.survey.bris.ac.uk/ahrc/survey).

Other events

14. Other events

Please visit the Subject Centre website for events not being organised by the LLAS Subject Centre.

Subject Centre website updates

15. Subject Centre website updates

Case study: Lecturing in the target language to post A'level Spanish students
Author: Irene Macas

Good Practice Guide: Global Perspectives in Area Studies: a complacent or creative response?
Author: Jenny Lunn

Materials Bank: A mobile-learning resource for "The Book in Middle French"
Author: Charlie Mansfield

National teaching fellowship scheme

16. National teaching fellowship scheme - Call for nominations - Individual Awards 2006

The Subject Centre has available copies of the application pack for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme Individual Awards 2006 for anyone interested in obtaining one. The application pack is also available to download as a PDF document from the Academy's website (www.heacademy.ac.uk/ntfs.htm). Additional leaflets, posters and application packs are available on request from ntfsenquiries@heacademy.ac.uk. Deadline for the submission of nominations is 12.00 on Wednesday, 05 April 2006.

Updating of AULC statistics

17. Updating of AULC statistics - Urgent and final call for numbers

This item is for the attention of University Language Centres Colleagues are reminded that AULC are currently updating statistics on the numbers of students on IWLPs. As these students represent a significant proportion of the total number of language students, this information is particularly important. Please email your current numbers to Nick Byrne: n.byrne@lse.ac.uk

Vacancy

18. Vacancy - UCML

Nominations are invited for the role of Treasurer of the UCML Executive Committee as from July 2006.
The period of office is 3 years extendable to 4. The UCML Executive meets four times a year in London. there are also two plenary meetings annually. Anyone interested should request further information and a nomination form from Mary Ohene at Mary.Ohene@cilt.org.uk

We would be grateful if you 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 for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
Modern Languages,
School of Humanities,
University of Southampton,
Highfield,
Southampton,
SO17 1BJ

Tel: 023 8059 4814
Fax: 023 8059 4815
Email: ljc2@soton.ac.uk