Dear All
Jim Coleman, President of UCML, has read through the White paper looking for specific mentions of Modern Languages. Please see his findings below.
Elizabeth Andersen
Representative for Germanic Languages on UCML
____________________________
Dr Elizabeth A Andersen
Head of School
School of Modern Languages
Newcastle University
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE1 7RU
Tel: (+44) 0191 222 7526
FAX: (+44) 0191 222 5442
Director of NE Routes into Languages Consortium
www.routesintolanguages.ac.uk/northeast
Dear Colleagues
Yesterday's White Paper, which applies only in England, is available at
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
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