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

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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

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

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Key figures • Ca 12 000 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

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

25. 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

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

27. Thank you for your attention! Jolanta Urbanikowa