Dear Colleagues

Yesterday's White Paper, which applies only in England, is available at

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/higher-education/docs/h/11-944-higher-education-students-at-heart-of-system 2011-06-28.

Leaks have ensured there are no major suprises. Disappointingly, there is little on languages or the year abroad. In §2.19 there is reference to the Russell Group's A-level guide which identifies languages as 'facilitating subjects'. In §3.34 under 'Employer sponsorship' there is reference to a 'sandwich year' comprising 'work experience or language training' and a desire to reverse the decline in take-up.

There are references to strategic and vulnerable subjects, on which HEFCE will have to decide (§§1.10, 1.26) but which will also concern the quality regulator (§6.9). The repeated emphasis on graduate employability and links with employers will clearly influence our own strategy, as we had anticipated.

Consultation on overall principles is open until 20 September, with various dates for four specific consultations (early repayment, regulatory framework, teaching grant and student numbers for 2012/13 and 2013/14).

Best wishes

Jim

James A. Coleman MA PhD FHEA FCIL FRSA Chevalier des Palmes Académiques

Professor of Language Learning and Teaching, Department of Languages, The Open University, UK

j[log in to unmask] +44 1908 659909

Editor-in-Chief, System: An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics

http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/335/description#description

Chair, University Council of Modern Languages

http://www.ucml.ac.uk/