LLAS Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies

Shaping the future of languages in higher education : WEBSITE NOW LAUNCHED
In October 2009 HEFCE published a review of Modern Foreign Languages provision in higher education in England authored by Professor Michael Worton, Vice-Provost, University College London. In response to the report HEFCE funded a project (led by UCML in partnership with LLAS, AULC and CILT) which explored some of the key recommendations for languages made in the report and produce online tools and resources to support senior managers in HEIs in shaping the future of modern languages in higher education.

Student essay competition 2011: How does a languages, linguistics or area studies degree equip you for life as a global citizen?
LLAS runs an annual essay competition for higher education students of languages, linguistics and area studies who are studying in the UK. This year, the winning student will win a cash prize of £300. Full details about the competition topic and assessment criteria are available below. The closing date for this year's competition is 31 March 2011. Please advertise the competition to your students. Contact llas@soton.ac.uk for promotional materials.

Residence abroad: reinventing the arguments
Event date: 25 November, 2010
Location: Room B202, The Brunei Gallery, SOAS London

Supporting international students in UK Higher Education: a course for staff

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.

Language Testing: Dialang: Diagnostic Tests for Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Icelandic, Irish, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish

DIALANG offers validated tests of different language skills, together with a range of feedback and expert advice on how to improve your skills. It also offers scientifically validated self-assessment activities and allows users to determine their language level, strengths and weaknesses as well as to increase their awareness of current skills and of what it means to know a language. It has been developed by more than 20 major European institutions, with the backing of the European Commission and is based on the Council of Europe's "Common European Framework of reference", which has become established throughout Europe as the most widely recognized frame of reference in the field of language learning.