Slides from the Open Day presentation of our ~IWLP offer - language learning for students of other degrees at Warwick

1. School of Modern
Languages and Cultures
Language Centre

2. Modules for credits on the academic programme
These are normally taken as part of an
undergraduate degree course, but open to others (for a
fee)
Lifelong Language Learning Courses
A programme of language courses for students,
staff and the local community
Independent Learning
The self-access suite in the language centre is
available as a free service for all Warwick students.

3. Language Centre
Located on the central campus, on the
ground floor of the Humanities Building.
Equipped with digital language classrooms,
with data projection and electronic
whiteboards
Multi-media open access suite with
satellite TV, computer-based learning, CDs
and DVDs.
Library with study courses at various levels

4.  Arabic - 3 levels
 Chinese (Mandarin) – 6 levels
 French – 7 levels
 German – 6 levels
 Italian – 5 levels
 Japanese – 5 levels
 Portuguese – 1 level
 Russian – 4 levels
 Spanish - 7 levels

5. Accelerated modules:
Cover levels 1 and 2 (or 3 and 4) in one year,
for able linguists

6. Placement and diagnostic testing
GCSE grade B or below → level 2
GCSE grade A/A* → level 3
Int bac standard grade 4 → level 3
Int bac higher grade 4/5 → level 4
AS-level grade A/B – level 4
A-level grade A/B – level 5
Int bac higher grade 6/7 → level 5

7. Need to get the entry level placement right
Ensure appropriate fit to level
Guard against “easy” credits
 Look at previous qualifications
 Brief written test
 Brief conversation with tutor
 Possibility of change in first three weeks

8. Credits for degrees
All modules can be taken for 30 credits or 24
credits
How many language modules can be taken
and when - depends on degree

9. Lifelong language programme
As academic programme (languages at
several levels)
+
Greek (modern)

10. Example of progression
(Student can take language elective for credit
in year 2 of degree)
Year 1 - takes academic module as paying
extra
Year 2 - takes academic module within
degree credits
Year 3 – keeps language up through Lifelong
Language Learning programme

11. How many languages?
As many as you like!
For example – keep up a language from
school, for academic credit, and try a new
language not-for-credit

12. Class contact (academic modules)
2 hours (+ workshops) per week for European
languages
3 hours per week for Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese, and accelerated modules
(+ homework and online language learning)

13. Language skills
 listening comprehension
 reading comprehension
 speaking
 writing
 lexis and grammar
 skills in preparation for taking an active part in
academic or social life in country of language
studied

14. Native speakers for level 5 and above, and mostly at
other levels too
Staffing

15. Assessment
Mixture of interim tests, portfolio, oral test,
and end-of-year exams

16. Innovative strategies
 Use of Moodle environment
 Blended learning
 Virtual online exchanges
 E-portfolio assessment (post A-level)

17. Certification
Language learning appears on HEAR (Higher
Education Achievement record)
Expressed in terms of CEFR (Common
European Framework of Reference)