SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “I can work effectively on my own but I can also work well in a team.” Dawn Leggott and Jane Stapleford Leeds Metropolitan University

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “I organise my time better now.”  Outline of the research  Two main ‘discoveries’  Attempts to respond to the research findings through modifications to the curriculum

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “A life-building experience. It has helped me with my confidence and really changed me as a person.”  The Focus  The Participants  The Course  Data Collection Methods

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY SkillDevelopedUseful for Work Time Management65%69% Self Awareness62% Language learning strategies57%50% Organisation and planning42%54% Critical thinking and analysis27%46% Self-confidence39% Self-responsibility65%50% Decision making39%46% Problem solving34%42% Others (particularly Year Abroad) “You learn a lot of skills at university… it makes you a different person.”

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “The year abroad is different to previous years. I have learnt new skills that couldn’t be learnt at home.” Maturity Employability/Key transferable skills Cross-cultural awareness Language skills and Language Learning Strategies

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “The skills you learn…can be transferred to every walk of life…”  How these findings have informed tutors in the language department about how to integrate and embed skills development into the curriculum –Recognition of the students’ low awareness of the skills we intended them to develop –Realisation that many students are unaware of employers’ skills requirements

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY

Enhancing Employability

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY  Embedding in the curriculum  Enhancing and re-packaging the existing curriculum  Linking with mainstream academic work  Customised support and delivery  Building career development into PDP for Progress Files

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY Problem Solving Self Confidence Critical thinking & Analysis Organisation & Planning Time Management EMPLOYER Satisfaction in % EMPLOYER View of Importance in % STUDENT Perceptions of Use for Work in % STUDENT Awareness of Development in % Employability Skill

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY  Explicit links to employability / what employers want  Input at Level 2  Sufficient preparation for work experience / Year Abroad  Reflection  Sufficient support and feedback  Career management skills

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY Level 1 - Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Awareness of own strengths and weaknesses, skills analysis, learning styles, study skills, reflection, evaluation of their own learning, organisation and planning, presentation skills, group working, planning for future learning, portfolio development Level 2 - Observing Culture Self awareness of career interests, cross cultural awareness, globalisation, opportunity awareness, presentation skills, CV development (in a foreign language), reflection, preparation for work experience – all in preparation for Year Abroad. Research Skills. Enhancing portfolio, action planning.

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY Level 3 - (Year 4) Work Related Project – Full Module Reflections on Year Abroad. Project management, research, team working, communication skills, time management, objective setting and strategy, reflection on their own experiences and performance, enhancing CV, job searching, applications and selection processes, postgraduate opportunities. Portfolio YEAR ABROAD Level 3 - (Year 3)

SCHOOL OF L ANGUAGES /E MPLOYABILITY “I can work effectively on my own but I can also work well in a team.” Dawn Leggott and Jane Stapleford Leeds Metropolitan University