Archived ebulletin: May 2006

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This bulletin contains information on the following:

1. Intergrating an e-portfolio into the languages curriculum (16 May 2006)
2. Technology and third level language teaching
3. Supporting students' learning in Modern Languages
4. Improving the learning experience of international students
5. Intergrating an e-portfolio in to the languages curriculum (16 June 2006)
6. Subject Centre conference: 'Crossing frontiers: languages and the international dimension'
7. Disciplines in Dialogue II: interdisciplinary teaching and learning
8. A wider perspective and more options: investigating the longer term employability of Humanities graduates
9. New Subject Centre CD: Why study languages?
10. Outreach in Modern Languages: A DFES funded report mapping cross-sector collaboration
11. HEA exchange magazine
12. Networking day for Humanities Librarians
13. Networking day for Careers Advisers
14. Assessment conference
15. Research literature reviews
16. Events, call for papers, news from other institutions or organisations
17. Subject Centre website update
18. HEFCE town meeting
19. Student essay competition
20. GCE AS/A levels
21. Survey LXP project
22. The ALCS prize for low countries

Subject Centre events

1. Intergrating an e-portfolio into the languages curriculum (16 May 2006)

16 May 2006, University of Manchester
This workshop will illustrate how an e-portfolio can be integrated within the languages curriculum both for the specialist undergraduate language provision and for the UWLP programme. For more details and to register please go to the Subject Centre website. This event is organised under the Subject Centre's Workshops to go scheme.

2. Technology and third level language teaching

17 May 2006, University of Ulster
The University of Ulster is organising a one-day conference in association with Queen's University Belfast, under the LLAS Subject Centre Northern Ireland partnership. The aim of the conference is to share experiences amongst colleagues and explore ways in which technology can be harnessed to improve language pedagogy. For more information, please go to the University of Ulster website (www.arts.ulster.ac.uk/lanlit/cetl/news/subject_centre_event.html).

3. Supporting students' learning in Modern Languages

08 June 2006, University of Westminster
This workshop provides an opportunity to explore practical examples of how language teachers can support students'learning inside and outside the classroom. Places are limited so early registration is encouraged. Please contact Pilar Teran at : pilar@pasarela.co.uk for further information. To register please go to the Subject Centre website. This event is organised under the Subject Centre's Workshops to go scheme.

4. Improving the learning experience of international students

09 June 2006, Sheffield Hallam University
The aim of this workshop 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 first ran in Southampton on 28 April 2006. Both events have been sponsored by the Higher Education Academy. For more information and to register please go to the Subject Centre website.

5. Intergrating an e-portfolio in to the languages curriculum (16 June 2006)

16 June 2006, Coventry University
This workshop will illustrate how an e-portfolio can be integrated within the languages curriculum both for the specialist
undergraduate language provision and for the UWLP programme. For more details and to register please go tothe Subject Centre website. This event is organised under the Subject Centre's Workshops to go scheme.

6. Subject Centre conference: 'Crossing frontiers: languages and the international dimension'

06-07 July 2006, University of Cardiff
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. For further details, please go to the Subject Centre website. Places are limited so an early application is advised.

7. Disciplines in Dialogue II: interdisciplinary teaching and learning

13-14 July 2006, University of Birmingham Conference Centre, Birmingham
Organised by the UK Higher Education Academy Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Group, this conference will provide a unique opportunity for discussion about this important, though long neglected, issue in higher education. It is open to practitioners in all disciplines. Details and programme now online at the Subject Centre website.

Recent publications

8. A wider perspective and more options: investigating the longer term employability of Humanities graduates

This new report by Rebecca Allan of the LLAS Subject Centre is now available. To obtain your free of charge copy, please order using the order form on the Subject Centre website.

9. New 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 pupils 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 ordering procedure can be found on the Subject Centre website.

10. Outreach in Modern Languages: A DFES funded report mapping cross-sector collaboration

This Subject Centre report presents the findings of a DfES-funded mapping project into cross-sector collaboration between universities and schools in England. We hope that its many examples of good practice and detailed case studies will be a useful resource for higher education staff and school teachers involved in language outreach activities. Download a pdf copy from the publications section of our website.

11. HEA exchange magazine

Copies of the Spring 2006 issue Higher Education Academy magazine "Exchange, supporting the student learning experience" are now available. To order your free of charge copy, please email: llas@soton.ac.uk giving your name and postal address.

Other subject network events

12. Networking day for Humanities Librarians

17 May 2006, Goodenough College, London
The English Subject Centre (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk) in collaboration with other humanities Subject Centres is convening a second meeting for HE/FE librarians with an interest in the humanities. 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. For more information see the English Subject Centre website (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/events/event_detail.php?event_index=92).

13. Networking day for Careers Adviser

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. It is envisaged that the meeting will provide a forum for careers advisers to discuss any issues of common concern and to share experience. For more information see the English Subject Centre website (www.english.heacademy.ac.uk/explore/events/event_detail.php?event_index=96).

HE Academy events

14. Assessment conference

23 May 2006, Central City Training Venue, Smithfields, London
This conference is organised by the Higher Education Academy, around the Academy's theme of assessment, with a particular focus on feedback. Further details are available at the HE Academy website (www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/List_4399.htm).

15. Research literature reviews

Invitation to tender
The Higher Education Academy wishes to commission four literature reviews, one on each of the following topics: The student learning experience / Learning spaces for the 21st century / Innovative assessment across the disciplines
Influencing thinking and practices about teaching and learning in higher education. Up to £30,000 is available for each review. The deadline for submission of proposals is 31 May 2006. For further details and application procedure please visit the HE Academy website (www.heacademy.ac.uk/literaturereviews.htm).

Events, call for papers, news from other institutions or organisations

16. Events, call for papers, news from other institutions or organisations

Please visit the Subject Centre events page for events, calls for papers, news which are not LLAS Subject Centre.

Subject Centre website update

17. Subject Centre website update

Materials Bank: English Grammar exercises
Author: Jill Cosh

HEFCE town meeting

18. Strategic and Vulnerable Subjects: Languages

This event by invitation only will take place on 23 June 2006 in London and is being supported by HEFCE with a view to developing a bid for consideration by its Strategic Development Fund later this year. If you wish to know who has been invited to represent your institution / organisation, please email: m.weaver@soton.ac.uk.

Student essay competition

19. Student essay competition

The winner of this year's student essay competition is Gemma Brown from the University of Bath. You can read Gemma's winning essay at the Subject Centre website.

GCE AS/A levels

20. GCE AS/A levels

The GCE AS/A levels have been revised by the QCA and the draft revised criteria are now out for consultation at the QCA website (www.qca.org.uk/12086_16132.html)

Survey LXP project

21. Survey LXP project

The UK e-learning research centre (eLRC) based at the HE Academy and the Universities of Manchester and Southampton, is carrying out research into the student experience of using learning technologies in their studies - something which they feel has been overlooked to date. They have asked LLAS and several other subject centres to help promote their online student questionnaire. Please encourage students in your classes to contribute to the survey (www.geodata.soton.ac.uk/eLRC/learner_survey/) . Everyone filling in the questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw. For more information on the eLRC and its activities visit the eLearning Research Centre's website (www.elrc.ac.uk).

The ALCS prize for low countries

22. The ALCS prize for low countries

The Association for Low Countries Studies in Great Britain and Ireland invites entries for the ALCS Prize for Low Countries Studies, to be awarded to the best essay written in any area of Low Countries Studies (linguistics, literature, cultural studies, history, art history, politics, etc). For more information about this competition visit the ALCS website (www.alcs.group.shef.ac.uk/prize.htm).

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.

Marie Weaver
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: M.Weaver@soton.ac.uk