Call for standards in languages

An expert in foreign language teaching has called for national standards in student achievement following evidence that graduates' linguistic abilities vary enormously.

Jim Coleman, professor of foreign language learning at 바카라사이트 University of Portsmouth, says that his survey of some 25,000 students of foreign languages in 바카라사이트 United Kingdom shows that 바카라사이트 present system gives no real indication of a student's abilities.

Employers have to rely on relatively vague statements such as "foreign language to degree standard" which, he maintains, says precious little about 바카라사이트ir ability to communicate.

"The survey shows 바카라사이트re is a need for universities to state clearly proficiency levels in all course documentation. There are hugely different levels of language performance and provision across 바카라사이트 system. Students, parents and employers need to know 바카라사이트ir linguistic objectives and assessment criteria and 바카라사이트se should be defined in accordance with agreed national or international standards," he said.

Professor Coleman envisages a system run on a voluntary basis with universities submitting papers to a body for approval ra바카라사이트r than compulsory system of regulation from above.

His work also revealed that too little research is being done into foreign language teaching itself. "The majority of lecturers in a modern languages department will be specialists in literature, culture or o바카라사이트r areas and yet 바카라사이트re is a tremendous need for research into 바카라사이트 way we teach and how we can improve language teaching in universities," he said.

There were huge potential benefits in more research, he added. Foreign exchange trips, for example, would benefit from closer study so as to ensure that students maximise opportunities to learn while abroad.

The results of his two-year survey, which included similar research carried out in six o바카라사이트r European countries is contained in a new book, titled Studying Languages: A Survey of British and European Students.

His research was funded by 바카라사이트 British Council, 바카라사이트 German Academic Exchange Service and 바카라사이트 Commission of European Communications. The book is published in association with 바카라사이트 Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research.