University Language Centres Heading for a Bright Future Heidi Rontu, PhD, adjunct professor Director Language Centre Aalto University

What are you proud of in teaching of languages and communication in Spanish university language centres?

Professional Flexible (Pro)active Pragmatic Student centered Result oriented

Structure of the presentation 1.Current status and challenges 2.Finnish perspective 3.Springboard for future

Current status and challenges 5

Role and position of language centres 6

Vision – mission – practice Vision Where is the language centre heading? Mission What are the main tasks of the centre? Practice What is the link to the everyday work at the centre? 7

Focus on teaching vs learning 8

Increasing multilingualism – decreasing plurilingualism? 9

Finnish perspective 10

Framework In the degree (bachelor/master), free-of-charge Compulsory studies o Both national languages, Finnish & Swedish o At least one foreign language Optional studies o Up to the student, some field specific recommendations University language centres since the 1970’s

Changes in the Finnish context Decrease in philology studies Increase in multilingual needs in working life Changes in the language landscape Dominance of English New opportunities for language centres

Blended learning Flipped classroom Out-of-classroom learning Integration Focus on learning Digitalisation

Springboard for future 14

What is the role of language(s) as part of academic competencies?

Language as an instrument for thinking / doing? Language as thinking / doing?

17

Authenticity - Meaningfulness AccessOwnershipAuthorship 18

Continuing professional development Ability to adapt Definition of own identity and status Strong links to working life Focus on learning Collaboration

University Language Centres Self-defining the Future 20

Kiitos! Tack! 21