INSTITUT DES LANGUES ET DES ÉTUDES INTERNATIONALES

Reforming Foreign Language Studies

in Serbia…

… a French perspective

The context : foreign languages in France

→ Centuries of backwardness : an expansionist agenda• Priority given to the dissemination of French language and culture, inside and

outside France • Less space given to foreign language teaching and learning, resulting in poor

results at national scale

→ The turn of the millenium : a Copernican revolution• A strategical decision : the best way to defend French is to promote linguistic

and cultural diversity, in Europe and worldwide• A political will : the offer must adjust in order to provide all citizens with

efficiency and equity in terms of foreign language learning• A national policy : the education system has to be reformed at all levels, from

primary education up to life long learning

Promoting foreign languages : some of the main reforms

• Ecole élémentaire (6-11 years) : compulsory introduction to one FL→ A1 level at the end of primary • Collège (11-15 years) :

- FL continues → B1 level at the end of compulsory education- 2nd FL starting in 3rd year- possibility of entering « classe bilangue » as early as first year• Lycée (15-18 years) :

- FL continues → B2 level at Baccalauréat Level- Emphasis on skills : « groupes de compétences »- Subject teaching in foreign languages- European and international sections• Higher education :

- no requisites nor objectives for students, except in specific areas- compulsory level in FL (B2) for all future teachers

UVSQ : excellence and innovation

→ An exceptional natural and patrimonial environment west of Paris→ 7 different sites in the heart of the Yvelines, which boasts 1.4 department million inhabitants and 500,000 jobs→ A multidisciplinary university offering a wide spectrum of areas→ A tradition of innovation in training, research and international cooperation→ Competitiveness clusters and strong links to the private sectorIn 2010, UVSQ was listed in the Shanghai

league table rankings

« When there is a will, there is a way » (Shakespeare)

→ LRU, 2007 : the Minister grants autonomy to universities = each institution may develop its innovation strategy according to its will, expectations, capacities and entrepreneurship → UVSQ’s decision : develop its leadership at national, european and international level = foreign languages and international skills must and will be - at the forefront of innovation- at the heart of the university’s project, regardless of the sector considered

TARGETS FOR FRENCH STUDENTS : ANSWERS FOR EVERYONE-

Any student :At least one FL compulsory regardless of the level and field of study

Specialists :International studies, English studies…

Double degrees:Law-English, Economy-German…

SpecializationDegrees with minors (Languages, European studies…)

Collective contribution:Peer to peer, collaborative forums, conversation workshops, tutoring…

TARGETS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS : FACILITATE INTEGRATION-

Erasmus students:Classes in French language, culture and civilization

All studentsSummer universities, Integration seminars

Partner universities :Special training by request

University Degrees :DUEFI, DUEFIL, DUEFIM, DUFP, DUDFL

French students:Peer to peer, conversation workshops, tutoring, classes…

TARGETS FOR STAFF: TOWARDS THE MASTERY OF FL-

Windows on the world:Language learning, observation visits, staff mobility, teachers exchange…

Administrative staff :Develop their personal and professional skills

ResearchersConferences and publications in FL

Teachers :Offer subjects classes in FL

UVSQA multilingual university

The leverage : strong governance

ILEI is the Institute responsible for languages and international studies at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)

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A faculty :→ Training for specialists : teachers, researchers, double degrees, international studies (LMD, DU)→ Research : languages, cultural and intercultural studies

Joint service :→ Students : * Help students in all aspects of foreign language learning across disciplines* Host foreign students (FLE)→ Staff : in-service training in FL

Provision of services :→ Teaching : individuals, pupils, workers, employment seekers, companies, local actors…→ Other: certifications, translation, interpretation

Networking mission→ Cooperation : develop an network of universities worldwide→ Partnerships : local authorities, foundations, ministries, multilateral institutions…

Double Degrees

• Intensive training in languages , literatures and foreign civilizations + another intensive training in other discipline.

• After a double program, students receive a double Bachelor degree.• Unlike the usual European bachelor (180 ECTS credits), a double bachelor

degree requires the validation of 240 ECTS credits.Two types:I. Putting together programs between UVSQ components• Double bachelor degree : English Studies +Law• Double bachelor degree : Economy + Languages (English/German)• Masters : Law / English studies

II. In partnership with another institution• Bachelor + BA economy / languages (USA + Italy)

International studies

  • To Enrich and complement UVSQ’s offer• To respond to the internationalization of careers which accompanies

globalization• To combine hitherto separate disciplines : global history, geopolitics, cultural

and intercultural studies, project management, languages etc.• To combine high-standard research training with vocational modules• To combine high standard professional training to acquire knowledge and

skills at an international and intercultural level2011: Licence d’Etudes Européennes et Internationales2012: Master d’Etudes Interculturelles et Mondialisation

INSTITUT DES LANGUES ET DES ÉTUDES INTERNATIONALES

FOREIGN LANGUAGES FOR NON SPECIALIST STUDENTS

■ Access to 14 languages (English, French FL, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Polish, Japanese, Chinese, Finnish, Portuguese, Corean and Serbian)■ Emphasis on communication skills and specific purposes (// area studies)■ Curricula → skills frameworkAssessment based on the CECRL scale → access to certifications

Tailor-made programs for everyone

Training programmes designed to suit students’ personal objectives

and needs ↓

Blended learning combining :• -face-to-face classes• -multimedia laboratories• -individual assessment• -conversation workshops• -distant language training• -visio-conferencing• -online access to a numeric

platform with foreign languages resources

PARTNERSHIPS-

→ At a territorial level:- Partnership agreements with local organizations- Partnership agreement with the Academy of Versailles- Pilot project with the prefecture of the Yvelines and Europe FEDER “Languages at the heart of territories”- Joint venture with neighbor universities: UPGO→ At a national level:"Foreign languages, a springboard for the future "→ Internationally- Transfer of expertise: implementing FL strategies in China (new policies for higher education institutions, developing resource centers, training teachers….)- Tempus project: Reforming language studies in Serbia

University of VersaillesInstitute for language and international studies

BBboulevard Vauban78280 Guyancourt+33 1 39 25 52 70

www.ilei.uvsq.fr

INSTITUT DES LANGUES ET DES ÉTUDES INTERNATIONALES