scholarly journals Developing “SotonSmartSkills”: A Reflection on Scaffolded Independent Learning Programmes

2016 ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mar-Molinero ◽  
Christian Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
International Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Professional Life ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Language Resources ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

By focussing on the physical and virtual space of a Language Resources Centre and the development of a wide set of digital literacies skills, this article discusses the SotonSmartSkills (Mar-Molinero & Lewis, 2014) programme developed at the University of Southampton, UK. Through a wide range of scaffolded courses designed to support the transition to the learner autonomy required of students in Higher Education, the programme equips students with skills, strategies, techniques and tools vital for success in their language learning (for international students) and more generally, in their academic achievement and professional life. In this paper we illustrate this initiative with the specific example of an integrated SotonSmartSkills module on our Pre-Sessional English programmes

Implementing English-Taught Programmes in Higher Education in Spain

2020 ◽  
pp. 138-150
Author(s):  
Victor Pavón-Vázquez
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Bilingual Programs ◽  
University Policy ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Institutional Profile ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The University

The acceptance of English as the lingua franca of the academic world has triggered the flourishing of different approaches to promote the learning of English as a foreign language in higher education. Under the umbrella of supranational regulations (as in the case of Europe), the promise of linguistic gains runs parallel with the necessity to attract international students, to promote the international and institutional profile for the universities, and to enhance employability for graduates. At the university of Córdoba, studies or courses taught through a foreign language are part of a larger university policy, and the decisions were based on clear definition of content and language learning outcomes and human and material resources available. This chapter describes the implementation of bilingual programs at this university, offering a picture of the challenges and problems that emerged and of the initiatives that were adopted.

scholarly journals Do blogs as a virtual space foster students’ learner autonomy? A case study

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Georgie Hannam
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
The University ◽  
Uk Higher Education ◽  
Pedagogical Goals

UK higher education institutions strive to foster learner autonomy in their students to create more successful learners, yet due to its complex nature, educators and academics continue to search for effective ways to achieve this. This case study investigates how one virtual blogging space on the Independent Learning (IL) pre-sessional module at the University of Southampton seeks to cultivate learner autonomy. This qualitative study was driven by a lack of empirical research exploring both perceptions and practices in social learning spaces. Investigations into both of these elements help to gain a deeper understanding of how learning spaces function, which is essential to recognising how they can meet their pedagogical goals. Whilst the blogging space was effective in fostering learner autonomy to some extent, there was evidence of conflicts in how the students, IL Facilitators (ILFs), and curriculum designers perceived the blogging space. This suggests the need for more time spent conveying the rationale of the blogging space to ILFs and subsequently students, and it also highlights the wider importance of understanding individual context.

scholarly journals Linguistics Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses: Experience of Lancaster University (UK)

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Olga Komochkova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Self Study ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

Abstract The article deals with peculiarities of undergraduate and postgraduate linguistic courses at Lancaster University. It has been stated that the latter is considered to be one of the best higher education institutions both in the UK and worldwide. Being a relatively new higher education institution (founded in 1964), it can already boast its academic reputation. According to data of British surveys it has been found out that Lancaster University is extremely popular among students. Speaking about linguistic achievements it should be mentioned that Lancaster University’s linguistic centre, spanning four generations of researchers, has been recently awarded The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. It has been revealed that degree programmes at Lancaster University are flexible and provide students with the opportunity to master a wide range of subject areas to complement their main specialism as well as numerous optional modules selected to satisfy various education needs and inclinations of students. Teaching approach at the University is research-driven and research stimulated, that is why much curriculum time is dedicated to carrying out research projects. Students are significantly motivated towards self-study as most of study time (81–89 %) is dedicated to independent learning. Lectures, seminars and similar are given only 11–19 %. Positive aspects of British experience in professional training of future linguists have been outlined.

scholarly journals Institutional Restructuring in Response to the Changing Mission of Land Grant Colleges Cook College, Rutgers University – The State University of New Jersey

1973 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-304
Author(s):  
Daymon W. Thatch ◽  
William L. Park
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Colonial America ◽  
Revolutionary War ◽  
The State ◽  
State University ◽  
Arts And Sciences ◽  
Rutgers University ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

Rutgers University was chartered as Queen's College on November 10, 1766. It was the eighth institution of higher education founded in Colonial America prior to the Revolutionary War. From its modest beginning in the New Brunswick area the University has grown to eight separately organized undergraduate colleges in three areas of the State, with a wide range of offerings in liberal and applied arts and sciences.

College English Learning Center Planning Based on Language Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 4493-4499
Author(s):  
Diwen Dong
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Learning Centers ◽  
Learning Materials ◽  
College English ◽  
The University ◽  
Functional Areas

Objectives: Planning for English learning centers for college students can meet the needs of students’ independent learning and achieve the purpose of enhancing students’ comprehensive English practice and application ability. Methods: This study proposed the characteristics and functions of the English learning center, as well as the resources and facilities of the learning center when planning the university English learning center, and explained the construction of the English learning center’s learning materials and the division of functional areas. The influencing factors of the construction of learning center materials mainly include students’ language level, learning needs, authority and applicability of learning materials. Results: On this basis, taking the English learning center plan of a university library as an example, the functional areas are divided into four functional areas: English listening, speaking, reading and writing. Conclusion: It is hoped that this research will provide some reference and reference for the planning study of university English learning center based on language learning.

The futures of the University of Tehran using causal layered analysis

foresight ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadali Baradaran Ghahfarokhi ◽  
Ali Mohaghar ◽  
Fatemeh Saghafi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Current System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
Master Plans ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Future ◽  
Causal Layered Analysis ◽  
The Times ◽  
The University

PurposeHigher education and universities have faced unprecedented and ubiquitous changes. The University of Tehran or “UT,” as the leading university in Iran, is not immune to these changes. The purposes of this study is to investigate the current situation and future of the UT and gain insights and possible responses to changes that suit its strengths and potential to progress in an increasingly competitive, complex environment with uncertainties. It identifies deep fundamental underpinnings of the issue and highlights them for policymakers to formulate strategies and future vision of the UT.Design/methodology/approachCausal layered analysis (CLA) was applied as a framework and the data collected from different sources such as literature reviews, content analysis of rules, regulations and master plans of the university and coded interviews of four different groups of university stakeholders were analyzed. The current system of UT, as well as hidden beliefs, that maintains traditional perceptions about university was mapped. Next, by applying a new recursive process and reverse CLA order, new CLA layers extracted through an expert panel, the layers of CLA based on new metaphors to envision future of UT were backcasted.FindingsThe results from CLA layers including litany, system, worldview and metaphor about the current statue of UT show disinterest and inertia against changes, conservative, behind the times and traditional perceptions, and indicate that the UT system is mismatched to the needs of society and stakeholders in the future. The authors articulated alternative perspectives deconstructed from other worldviews so there are new narratives that reframe the issues at hand. The results show that to survive in this fast-paced revolution and competition in higher education, UT should develop scenarios and formulate new strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors had limited access to a wide range of stakeholders. As the UT is a very big university with so many faculties and departments, to access a pool of experts and top policymakers who were so busy and did not have time to interview inside and outside of university was very hard for the research team. The authors also had limitation to access the internal enactments and decisions of the trustee board of the UT and the financial balance sheets of the university.Originality/valueIn this paper, by mixing different methods of futures studies, the authors have shown how to move forward while understanding the perspectives of stakeholders about the future of UT by a new recursive process and reverse CLA order. A supplementary phase was added to improve CLA and to validate the method and results, which were ignored in previous studies.

scholarly journals Reliability of self-employment intentions instrument among international students in Indonesian university

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2.10) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Mhd Subhan ◽  
Mas’ud Zein ◽  
Akhyar . ◽  
Mohd Hakimie Zainal Abidin ◽  
Sallehudin Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
International Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Future Study ◽  
The Self ◽  
Cronbach's Alpha ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
The University ◽  
College Personnel

This paper examines the validation instrument used to measure the psychometric status of the self-employment intentions. Self-employment intentions are crucial to identify the university students in order to confirm their decision making. They are a questionnaire to measure graduation in university to start choice on their careers. This instrument is composed of 11 items and was carried out to 115 international students studying in one Indonesian higher education. There were 49 male and 66 female respondents involved in this study. The Cronbach’s Alpha value was .94 which strongly suggest that the instrument has an excellent reliability. This study points out that self-employment intentions are suitable to be used by college personnel and counselors to examine and identify self-employment intentions among international students in Indonesian higher education. Implications for future study will also be discussed. 

English Language Learning as Intercultural Experience

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Hamza R'boul ◽  
M Camino Bueno-Alastuey
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Education ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Intercultural Relations ◽  
Intercultural Experience ◽  
The University ◽  
Teaching In Higher Education

Teaching English in higher education entails additional factors and considerations that exemplify the complexity of accounting for the diverse population in modern higher education institutions. In particular, the increasing flow of international students and the employment demands of functioning in multicultural contexts render helping students to develop a critical understating of intercultural relations an important aspect of English language teaching. With the increasing adoption of English as a medium of instruction and its use as a lingua franca in intercultural communication, it is important to structure English education in a way that accounts for intercultural relations both in and outside the university. In addition to the postmodern conceptualizations of interculturality that emphasize the fluidity of culture, language and identity intercultural relations are characterized by power imbalances. That is why this chapter makes a case for the necessity of considering sociopolitical realities in intercultural English language teaching in higher education.

Promoting Autonomous Language Learning in Online Environments

10.47908/9/15 ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. 165-280
Author(s):  
Maria De Santo ◽  
Luisa Boardman
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

The Self-Access Language Centre of the University of Naples “L’Orientale” (CILA) promotes the development of autonomy in language learning, offering a wide range of technology-based resources and a language counselling service. In the last few years, to satisfy the growing need for independent language learning in our university, we have integrated autonomous learning in the SAC with online pathways and multimedia materials. We started by offering online Self-Access activities in blended courses, integrating face-to-face classroom teaching with online modules. This experiment enabled us to develop a kind of blended autonomous learning, combining a real-life SAC with online Self-Access Centres. Virtual SACs suggest a variety of language learning activities and allow learners to study a language while reflecting on their learning process. In the online SAC, language counsellors implement the language learner’s autonomy promoted in presence in the SAC, interacting with them through computer-mediated communication. In this paper we shall look at how the promotion of autonomy in language learning can be enhanced through the integration of technology-based materials and activities made available in self-access modality. Our aim is to present online resources designed to help students learn a foreign language autonomously.

scholarly journals Students’ perception of CLIL in higher education : Preliminary results of the CLIL HET project

Porta Lingua ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Mária Bakti ◽  
Tamás Erdei ◽  
Valéria Juhász
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
Student Mobility ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Education Teacher ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Faculty Of Education ◽  
The University ◽  
Visegrád Countries

There has been a growing research interest into the implementation of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in higher education, however, limited research attention has been devoted to the investigation of the situation in the Visegrad countries. These countries have seen an increasing pressure on higher education institutions to provide courses taught through English in order to enhance teacher and student mobility, to share knowledge and to network. Still, disciplinary teachers are not always prepared for this task. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it introduces the Visegrad 4+ Project CLIL-HET (Content and Language Integrated Learning – Higher Education Teacher). In the course of the project, a special platform for CLIL, ESP, and disciplinary teachers has been created. Disciplinary teachers can complete a course on CLIL methodology at the website, and the project also aims to assess the linguistic weaknesses of disciplinary teachers who teach their subject through English. The second aim is to report on international students’ expectations on courses taught through English at the Hungarian partner institution of the project, the Faculty of Education of the University of Szeged.

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