/ UNIVERSITY OF KENTLINGUA NETWORK

Anthony ManningDirectorCentre for English & World Languages

LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

• Arrival and welcome drinks

• KLN aims - Update from last session

• Session focus- Learning Outside the Classroom

• Group discussion - Learning Outside the Classroom

• Plans for next session

Agenda

What is the Kent Lingua Network ?

We provide:

• A venture to encourage networking within the field of language teaching in the Kent region

• An informal opportunity to meet colleagues in the field of language teaching and to discuss related issues

• An opportunity to share relevant areas of expertise

• An organic forum – Please tell us what you want to discuss next time

Why are UoK & CEWL promoting this venture?

We provide:

• UoK’s Internationalisation Strategy

• UoK as the UK’s European University

• A wish to foster links in areas of shared practice

• Develop a community of interconnected stakeholders in the sector given new levels of national policy- e.g. UKBA initiatives

• To get to know our neighbours

Learning Outside the Classroom

Case Study 1 - Language Exchange Scheme:

• Online mechanism to bring students with reciprocal language learning needs together

• Aims to provide an informal language learning opportunity

• Students register then search for a language learning partner

• Easy access for Kent students

• Safe environment- campus based

Learning Outside the Classroom

Why do we need it?

• Learning in the classroom is just the tip of the iceberg

• To promote international communication amongst student groups

• To encourage engagement with the wider community

• To practise language in real contexts

• To make the most of the resources on campus and beyond

Learning Outside the Classroom

Case Study 2 – Mandarin Exchange EveningCase Study 2 – Mandarin Exchange Evening

• Collaboration with ABACUS society

• Mechanism for students and native speakers to meet and socialise

• Opportunities for networking and language use in a realistic context with peers

• Fun activities and games devised by students for students

Learning Outside the Classroom

Case Study 3 – Reflective JournalCase Study 3 – Reflective Journal

• Key feature of many UG University Programmes

• Aims to stimulate independent learning skills

• Focused on positive an negative incidents during study on the International Foundation programme

• Complete once a week

• Used a wiki on Moodle

• Assessed using criteria drawn from Gibb’s learning cycle

Learning Outside the ClassroomCase Study 4 – Event Design ProjectCase Study 4 – Event Design Project

• Students asked to design a welcome event for in-coming students on a Pre-sessional course

• Aims were to extend use of language outside the confines traditional English for Academic Purposes and to include an interactive social element, using language outside the classroom

• Classes divided into groups and pitched their event to a panel Dragon’s Den style

• The winning team then recruited support sub teams from the wider student body so that all students were involved

• The event was finally included as part of induction of new students

Learning Outside the Classroom

Case Study 5 – Clubs & Societies ActivityCase Study 5 – Clubs & Societies Activity

• Students asked to join a University club or society outside their existing area of experience

• Aims were to foster international integration on campus and to offer opportunities for language use, in a manner which could feed in to students’ development of skills in English for Academic Purposes

• Students completed a presentation and a 1000 word report

• Topic selection:• Motivation within the classroom

• New uses of IT

• Another topic?

• Volunteers for next time

Plans for next session

/ UNIVERSITY OF KENTLINGUA NETWORK

Anthony ManningDirectorCentre for English & World Languages