Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

quality assurancequality assurance

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

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

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

Bologna objectives

• European identity & citizenship• Democratic values• Employability• Mobility• European dimension• Competition/attractiveness of EHEA

Jolanta Urbanikowa

Lisbon strategy

• Knowledge society• Modernisation agenda• Role of universities• Lifelong learning• ICT & languages and intercultural

communication

Jolanta Urbanikowa

Council of Europe

• Plurilingualism• Linguistic diversity• Mutual understanding• Democratic citizenship• Social cohesion

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

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

External inspirations

• EU projects: Tempus, Socrates, leonardo da Vinci, LLL

• European Language Council projects:– TNPs, DIALANG, Berlin Declaration, ENLU,

HELP, MOLAN, LANQUA

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

Policy instruments

Council of Europe’s:• Common European Framework of

Reference for Languages: teaching, learning, assessment (CEFR)

• European Language Portfolio

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

UWS of LP

• Aim• Providers• Offering• Framework syllabus & target levels• Support system• Access• Certification• Key figures

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

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

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

Framework

• Levels A1/A2/B1/B2/C1/C2• In reference to CEFR• Courses and examinations

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

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

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

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

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

Quality

• European language label 2006 for the most innovative initiatives in language teaching

Jolanta Urbanikowa

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

Quality assurance

• External examinations• Syllabuses • Class observations• Staff development• Co-ordination of the system (Rector’s

plenipotentiary)

Jolanta Urbanikowa

Thank you for your attention!