Plan for Languages - students’ session
16.09.10, 3.30pm, lecture hall of the Students’ Building
On 17 July 2008 the Governing Council of the UAB approved the UAB Plan for Languages: a
strategic pledge for multilingualism, for 2008-2010.
Given that 2010 was the last year of the Plan, the UAB has begun the process of formulating
the new Plan for Languages of the University fro 2011-2015.
In order to define the criteria for the Plan, several actions have been taken: language plans for
other Catalan and European universities have been studied, interviews have been carried out
with member of the Governing Team, members of the Language Policy Team, Deans, members
of the Assessment Council for the language Service and those responsible for the key areas for
the implementation of the Plan.
Once the criteria for the plan have been defined and before its final approval, the UAB would
also like to involve the student body, to which a large part of the Plan is aimed.
A presentation session for the new Plan has therefore been organised with the aim of collecting
opinions and evaluations by students for a range of topics included in the Plan.
This session will take place on 16 September 2010 at 3.30pm in the Lecture hall of the
Students’ Building. If you are unable to attend, you can also send us your opinions by e-mail to
pla.llengues@uab.cat until 27 September 2010.
Elements for discussion
Communication
The Plan for languages has to forecast mechanisms for improvement in giving information
about different aspects of language policy and the socio-linguistic situation which affects the
university community most directly. Some examples of areas for improvement are:
- Information on teaching languages and also on language rights and responsibilities, especially
for international students.
- Information about criteria for institutional use of languages.
- Information on resources that the university community has available to improve knowledge of
languages.
 What is your level of knowledge of the language policy adopted by the university? How
would you rate it? How does it help you with your university activities?
 Do you think that communication of language policy could be improved at the UAB? In what
respect? Through which channels?
 Do you think that a language policy representative in each centre would help to improve
information about different aspects of language policy?
 Do you think that the student body is well enough informed about the rights and
responsibilities of language use in teaching? And in particular, the new members of the UAB?
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 Is it necessary to improve information about language policy with respect to international
students? If so, what are the best ways of doing this?
 Do you know which resources the UAB study body has available for improving knowledge of
languages?
Transparency of information
Transparency of information about teaching languages is important and it is essential for
international students who should have information in Spanish and English before registering.
The Plan for Languages should ensure basic information for students about teaching
languages:
1. Main language used by the lecturer
2. Information for students about the fact that they need to read in the reference language for
their field of study
 Do you think it is useful to know the language in which a subject will be taught (lecturer’s
language)? And the teaching material? And the bibliographical references?
 Did you have this information before registering? How were you able to obtain it? (which tool
or space?)
 Which options do you think are the best?
1- The fullest information if three different aspects are involved:
- Lecturer’s language (known as habitual language)
- Languages (plural) for bibliographical references and teaching materials
- Language that students can use in their work, etc. For example, the lecturer can teach in one
language and the student can present work in other specified languages.
2- Add generally: student must be able to read the language of their field of study.
3- Indicate the following:
- Main class language (only one option may be marked)
- Language of the materials (more than one option may be marked)
- Comments (optional reply field)
English as a working language
For the first time it is considered necessary to formalise the status of English as a working
language and at the same time differentiate English from the other “foreign” languages in
accordance with the promotion of teaching in the English language in undergraduate and
postgraduate degrees established in the Master Plan (AE 28).
In formalising this status the consequences of doing so must be forecast: specific effects, rights
and responsibilitie and associated costs.
Some examples of the type of question that we should be addressing in the Plan for Languages
are:
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Clearly identifiable offer of courses taught in English, which is strategic for our own
students and essential for attracting international students..
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Linguistic and methodological support for lecturers giving their classes in English.
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Itnegration of English in information systems such as websites, registration information,
virtual campus, etc.
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Language profiles for jobs in university administration and services and willingness to
use English in key positions such as student services, health services etc.
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Admission and emission of communication, certificates and other official documents in
English.
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Introduction of English in the basic signposting on campus.
 How would you evaluate the offer of classes in English? Should more be offered? Do they
help you with your language learning? How?
 Do you think your level of English is high enough to follow the classes? What kind
(comprehension/speaking, comprehension/writing)?
 Do you think the offer of classes taught in English is clearly identifiable?
 To what extent do you think that information systems should include English (websites,
registration information, virtual campus, etc.)?
 Apart from English are there any other relevant languages in your field of study?
Which ones?
Comments
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