The LARA (Learning and Residence Abroad) Project has been
looking into the problems associated with the period of residence
abroad in modern language degrees in the light of the issues raised
in the TQA reports published in 1996. The major issue was the lack
of integration between the work required of the students while
abroad and the rest of the curriculum, which tended to lead to a
lack of consistency in assessment and accreditation.
Following soundings and discussions across the sector in
workshops, conferences, focus-groups and email fora, LARA has
produced a range of outputs, notably sets of learning and teaching
materials indicating ways in which students can be trained to take
responsibility for their own learning in the areas of linguistic
competence and intercultural understanding. These materials can
be used as they stand or adapted to fit local circumstances and
needs, and it is hoped that they will contribute towards the debate
currently going on about possible ways forward. Further outputs are
visible on the project's website: http://lara.fdtl.ac.uk/lara/index.htm
A set of all the printed, audio and video materials produced has
been sent free of charge to every HEI in the UK, addressed to the
Head of Languages. We appreciate that that is not a title used in
all HEIs but it was not possible to establish the name or even the
function of the appropriate person in every case and we hope that
colleagues interested in following up these materials will be able to
track them down within their own institution. Further sets can be
provided at cost price in cases where the departmental structure
makes it necessary to have more than one set.
For information, contact [log in to unmask]
And why not join the residence-abroad list at mailbase to
contribute to the debate?
Mark Bannister
Director, LARA Project
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