WELCOME TO Language Futures : Languages in Higher Education th & 6th July 2012 Edinburgh #LLASconf2012

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Catherine Chabert – Helga Eckart LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Plan 1.Our research questions 2.Some recent documents in the areas of MFL and employability 3.Method 4.Findings Conclusions LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? 1. Research questions -What?To investigate the motivations and expectations of students in mixed groups. -Why?In order to find out the extent to which mixed group teaching serves students’ goals. -How?In comparing students’ responses across age groups, languages and interests. -What for? To inform syllabi design and policy debate. LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? 2. Some recent documents in the areas of MFL and employability -National languages strategy in HE, 2005, H. Footit, DfES. -Languages Review, 2007, DfES. -Review of MFL provision in HE in England, 2009, M. Worton, HEFCE. -Emerging Stronger: the value of education and skills in turbulent times, 2009, CBI. -World Class Wales, International Education Strategy Framework, 2009, WAG. -Survey of non-specialist language learners, 2011, J. Canning, UCML. -Modern Languages in the UK, 2011, J. Coleman,UCML. -The economic case for language learning and the role of employer engagement, 2011, A. Mann et al., Education and Employers Taskforce. LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? 3. Method Quantitative research based on questionnaires – Basis of selection of classes surveyed (20) – Number of questionnaires (150 out of 220) – Analysis LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? 4. Findings Who are the students surveyed? 76% under 40 11% under 20 54% % % undergraduates 49% in employment 58% female LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Which language did they study? French 25% Spanish 25% German 15% Japanese 15% Mandarin 8% Russian 7% Italian 4% LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Studying in a mixed age and mixed interest class: o A generally positive experience81% o It doesn’t make any difference18% o A generally negative experience 1% LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Are there any meaningful variations across languages? Enjoyment and funItalian / Japanese / Russian For the challengeItalian / Mandarin/ French For travellingFrench / Italian / Spanish For my future jobMandarin/ German / Spanish LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Are there any meaningful variations across age brackets? Enjoyment and fun (79%) For the challenge41-50 (80%) For travelling61+ (75%) For my future jobUnder 20 (65%) LLAS 2012 Conference

Students’ expectations Speaking – speaking with a good accent – listening – writing – reading – grammar – translation – cultural understanding Most important skills Most beneficial skills for according to all students:employment purposes: -listening 82%-listening 77% -speaking 76%-speaking 71% -reading 54%-translation 39% -translation 46%-reading 38% LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? LLAS 2012 Conference

Language provision for non-specialists in HE: Are we getting it right? Conclusions So, are we getting it right? Yes o Similar interests o Same emphasis on oral skills o Intergenerational benefits No o Lack of cultural awareness o Lack of understanding of importance of MFL LLAS 2012 Conference

WELCOME TO Language Futures : Languages in Higher Education th & 6th July 2012 Edinburgh #LLASconf2012