Sector, what sector?

Dr. Del Morgan

An experiment in providing language skills for adults

• What can be done for these people?

• How can we encourage them into the fold?

• Can we help them find their confidence?

“A university course – me …??!!!”

Language Skills - Unilang

• Traditionally, small numbers studying languages academically and in depth ...

• But, now, dwindling numbers and lack of interest and take-up ...

• However, increasing demand for basic skills in language for business and pleasure ...

• So target large numbers to gain additional language skills “on top”

Unilang Facilities

• Multi-media language skills packages

• Satellite television and video channels

• Database of recorded/able audio tracks

• Access to Internet language sites

• Six native language versions of MS Word

• Magazines in various languages

• Student Support Officers on duty

Meanwhile …

(Out there in the community)

The Community Challenge

• Increasing numbers interested in languages

• Traditional adult learners – “HE-averse”

• However, latent abilities and confidence

• Need to tap/overcome these to succeed

• Delivery model needs flexibility

Incremental Roll-out

• Initial pilot – one-off

• Issues with recruitment, attendance, support materials, assessment, demographics, length of module, level of module, continuity, tutor consistency

• One module delivered through Welsh

• External examiners pleased

Unilang Community Modules 2003 - 2006

2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006

Spanish 8 34 56

French 0 10 13

Total 8 44 69

Tutor Comments

• “A lively and pleasant group … some were stretched to attend classes due to personal commitments …”

• “Assessments scheduled just before the Christmas holidays were badly attended”

• “All the students managed to achieve a basic knowledge of the Spanish language”

• “Accreditation is a definite incentive for learners”

Learners’ Comments

• “The tutor made the learning experience very interesting … and fun!”

• “I hope that there’s a follow-on course”

• “To have the course local is important”

• “There was a lot to learn in ten weeks”

(Graph)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Increase

1 2 3 4

Academic Year

Module Success Summary

0

20

40

60

80

100

Increase

2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

Academic Year

Community Modules

Enrolled

Passed

Pass Rate

Where next?

Move with the times …

• Use (and re-use) technology

• Integrate personal/group learning methods

• Innovate with approaches to assessment

• Listen to students …

Build on the Foundation

• Celebrate the success

• Use existing cohorts to promote recruitment

• Introduce further levels

• Encourage progression – in any form …

• Seek commitment from all quarters …

Sector, what sector?

Dr. Del Morgan