Jolanta Urbanikowa University of Warsaw System of Language Provision – aspects of quality assurance

Jolanta Urbanikowa Reform Language Centre since 1953 Reform of language provison system started in 2001 Coincided with European Year of Languages –marking the significance of linguistic and intercultural competences of students and graduates for academic and professional mobility and emloyability & lifelong learning

Jolanta Urbanikowa Aims To rationalise the University spending on language provision To ensure conditions of –transparency –openness –comparability (learning outcomes) –quality of provision –equal access to broadest possible offering

Jolanta Urbanikowa Context Bologna 1999 (European Higher Education Area) Lisbon strategy 2000 Council of Europe’s language policy Language education in the European Union Local challenges External inspirations

Jolanta Urbanikowa Bologna objectives European identity & citizenship Democratic values Employability Mobility European dimension Competition/attractiveness of EHEA

Jolanta Urbanikowa Lisbon strategy Knowledge society Modernisation agenda Role of universities Lifelong learning ICT & languages and intercultural communication

Jolanta Urbanikowa Council of Europe Plurilingualism Linguistic diversity Mutual understanding Democratic citizenship Social cohesion

Jolanta Urbanikowa Language edu in EU DG Education, Culture & Youth and DG Multilingualism EU Educational programmes –Socrates –Lifelong learning programme Action Plans Consultations Indirect impact on national language policies

Jolanta Urbanikowa Local challenges Internationalisation strategy of WU –Exchange programmes –Language policy Quality assurance and enhancement at WU Introduction of ECTS Needs of the students and staff (students’ report) Labour market (stakeholders’ needs)

Jolanta Urbanikowa External inspirations EU projects: Tempus, Socrates, leonardo da Vinci, LLL European Language Council projects: –TNPs, DIALANG, Berlin Declaration, ENLU, HELP, MOLAN, LANQUA

Jolanta Urbanikowa Guiding principles After Council of Europe: –LL for all, for the learner, for intercultural communication, for life –LT is co-ordinated, coherent and transparent –LL& LT are dynamic lifelong processes

Jolanta Urbanikowa Policy instruments Council of Europe’s: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: teaching, learning, assessment (CEFR) European Language Portfolio

Jolanta Urbanikowa University of Warsaw Work in progress (dynamic system) Legal framework –Rector’s regulations (since 2001) –Senate’s resolution (2005) –Decree of the Minister on standards of teaching 2007

Jolanta Urbanikowa UWS of LP Aim Providers Offering Framework syllabus & target levels Support system Access Certification Key figures

Jolanta Urbanikowa Aim B2 according to CEFR in at least one language on completion of the first cycle programme Free choice of a language examination Free choice of a language course

Jolanta Urbanikowa Providers Language Centre Faculty of Applied Linguistics and East-Slavonic Studies Faculty of Modern Languages Faculty of Oriental Studies Faculty of Polish Studies Centre for Language Teacher Training and European Education Centre for Open and Multimedia Education

Jolanta Urbanikowa Offering Ca 50 languages incl. of –Polish as a foreign language –Polish sign language Conventional teaching & e-learning (also blended learning) Languages for general & for specific purposes Consultaions and self-access

Jolanta Urbanikowa Framework Levels A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2 In reference to CEFR Courses and examinations

Jolanta Urbanikowa Support system USOS – University Studies Support System –Software and database –On-line registration for classes and examinations –Achievements tracking –ECTS records –Transcript of records & Diploma Supplement – printed out from the System

Jolanta Urbanikowa Access Free of charge: –All undergraduate (first cycle) students –In-coming students –Language ticket financed from the University budget = 240 tokens/hours –Examination ticket = 2 tokens Competitive fees: –Other students and staff

Jolanta Urbanikowa Access DIALANG recommended In-house placement test coupled with the registration system On-line registration USOS student’s account: tracking registrations and achievements (& ECTS) Additional hours can be bought

Jolanta Urbanikowa Certification Recognised external institutions and certificates University of Warsaw Certification Examinations –By a Certification Board (external, independent from teaching units/providers) –University of Warsaw Language Certificate

Jolanta Urbanikowa Key figures Ca students a year Ca 220 teachers Ca 750 courses a semester 4h/week/60h a semester/ 120h a year Ca 3 mio EURO a year

Jolanta Urbanikowa Quality European language label 2006 for the most innovative initiatives in language teaching

Jolanta Urbanikowa Quality assurance Language provision in the mainstream of the University activity Reference to CEFR (comparability of learning outcomes; recognisable standards) Open and accessible information (USOS & website) ECTS Free choice of students (language, level, teacher) Yearly students’ surveys

Jolanta Urbanikowa Quality assurance External examinations Syllabuses Class observations Staff development Co-ordination of the system (Rector’s plenipotentiary)

Jolanta Urbanikowa Thank you for your attention!