1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUCCESS CASE

1.1 Scope of the initiative

The IoT Language Network is an initiative by the IoT lecturers and annual meetings are organised by Dr. Riana Walsh and Kristin Brogan, who were the co-founders. It aims to support the teaching and learning of modern languages in third level in Ireland. Presently there are 12 out of 14 IoT represented and involved in the network. All activities/presentations within the network are on a voluntary basis.

 

1.2 Range of languages learned

The IoT Language network fosters collaboration among different Institutes of Technology and among different languages.

Participants in the IoT network: Lecturers of English, French, German, Italian, Irish and Spanish.

 

1.3 Learning outcomes

Please see sections 2.2 on Strategic Goals.

 

1.4 Practical realisation

Design of a guideline document which was distributed to all network participants and which can be used as a reference guide when formulating an individual college internal language policy.

Organisation of two annual network meetings/workshops in different IoTs

Work Placement & Study Abroad Programmes

Invitation to guest speakers to present ideas re language policy (National & International)

The two coordinators presented the language network to the Heads of School of Business & Humanities of the IoTs

Organization of two panel discussions on the Future of languages in the IoT sector and further perspectives on the future of languages in the IoTs. Various national organisations were invited which presented both language and non-language related interests, i.e. Business, Engineering, Science and Education

Presentations on Best Practice models in language teaching

Dissemination of various questionnaires to the participants re current language status and pro-active approaches to adopt

Creation of Action Research Groups : These were established to research a variety of topics deemed relevant to language Policy & Planning:

• TEFL/EFL/ESL [Teaching English as a Foreign Language, English as a Foreign Language, English as a Second Language]
• Language Awareness
• Intercultural Communication
• Learning Styles
• Transferable Skills
• ELP [European Language Portfolio]
• CEFR [Common European Framework of Reference for Languages]
• Report research on language policies (National & International)
• European Commission websites
• CLIL [Content Language Integrated Learning]
• Life Long Learning
• Open & Distance Learning

 

2. BACKGROUND TO THE INITIATIVE

2.1 Context

In February 2006 the Royal Irish Academy “Language Policy and Language Planning Conference” was held in Dublin Castle. As a result of debate at this conference, the idea of a Language Policy Workshop for the Institutes of Technology (IoT) sector was generated. Given the decline in student uptake of Modern Languages within the IoTs, this topic presented a viable opportunity for inter-institutional collaboration amongst IoT language lecturers and other stakeholders in the area of Language Policy and Planning.

The Network is meets twice a year in various participating institutes and to reflect the current focus decided recently to change the name to IoT Languages Strategy Network. The idea of a National Language Policy is progressing nationally in a European context. A Country Profile Report by the Council of Europe and a report by the Department of Education and Science were recently issued.

 

2.2 Strategic goals of the initiative

• Inter-institutional collaboration amongst IoT Language lecturers and other stakeholders in the area of Language Policy and Planning
• Increase the uptake of language learning by under-graduates
• Increase the awareness of a language crisis in the sector due to the general absence of a national language culture
• Pro-active approach to language learning & teaching
• Create new dialogue involving both language and non-language specialists, practitioners and management from all domains
• Support the initiatives of internal Language Policies
• Raising awareness amongst language lecturers of the importance of maintaining languages on the college landscape
• Support CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
• Practical approaches to maintaining languages on college landscape
• Innovations in FLT & FLL Methods
• Research, Research Methods, Funding
• Address Action Points generated by Expert Panel discussions
• Further suggested speakers, workshops for future events, PR
• Further examples of Best Practice in Language learning and teaching
• Further attempts of Internal Language Policies implementation Further collaboration among different levels
• Investigate possible funding for the network’s activities

3. SUCCESS INDICATORS

• After seven network meetings there is still continuous participation of language lecturers from different IoTs
• Management takes an active interest in the Language Network e.g. the two coordinators were invited to present the network’s activities at an IoT management meeting. Invitation to attend network meetings are always extended to Heads of School / Heads of Department and some management  do attend the network meetings.
• Informal positive feedback by participants re produced documents/presentations/shared information on new trends and its relevance to each Institute
• Participants have implemented various ideas of language promotion in their own institution, which were presented/discussed by the Language Network, e.g. a course for companies was designed in response to a presentation by Enterprise Ireland. Various language issues discussed raised the awareness and knowledge of the participants in this field; i.e. CLIL [Content Language Integrated Learning], ICC [Intercultural Communication, ELP [European Language Portfolio] etc.
• The coordinators were invited to present about the Language Network at various National Language Associations and were asked to attend a language policy workshop which was organised by the RIA (Royal Irish Academy), which was investigating North/South Irish collaboration
• There are no real figures of enhanced learner motivation available, but the fact that this network is still active and meeting twice yearly is a success indictor as Ireland overall rates very poorly in relation to language learning (see Eurostat surveys). Also feedback by network participants is always positive and better informed teachers will in turn be beneficial to learners’ motivation.
• The network is currently in the process of designing a generic language brochure and website that would promote language learning in Ireland and give the network an on-line presence. The website would also have all documents prepared by the network participants ready for download.

 

4. SUCCESS FACTORS

• All Institutes of Technology who offer languages are participating in this network
• There are around 25 active network members, but the email shots by the network coordinators are sent to about 50 language lecturers as well as management in the School of Business, Tourism and Humanities
• Absence of a National Language Strategy makes this initiative very relevant to the current challenges within the language sector
• The initiative acknowledges the on-going challenge to promote languages to under- graduates
• The new multicultural Irish society demands greater cultural and linguistic awareness and a language strategy initiative is needed to address these demands
• Despite the fact that there was no funding available for this IoT network, various International and National speakers presented at the network meetings.
• The Swiss Embassy in Dublin agreed to fund a website for the IoT network; it will also support the design and printing of promotional material that gives information on language learning in Ireland.

 

5. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

5.1 Lessons to be learned at institutional level

• Language Policy can be a successful tool in the promotion of languages and other skills relating to the learning of languages, but in a culture of English is enough it is very difficult to implement same
• Collaboration among different IoTs was not the norm until very recently and this is a new and positive departure.
• Retraining and new identities of former language staff reduces the pool of dedicated colleagues, who are willing to explore new ways of collaboration and improvement of the language learning and teaching sector

 

5.2 Broader implications

Inter-institutional collaboration amongst language lecturers and other stakeholders can support and motivate students to learn languages. Despite the absence of a National Language Policy it could assist in creating a positive language culture and reverse the trend of decreasing numbers of students who are choosing to study a modern language, apart from the mandatory study of Irish in Secondary Schools.

Both IBEC [Irish Business and Employers Confederation] and Enterprise Ireland stated recently that Irish graduates with language skills have a greater employability.

Inter-institutional collaboration within the Network provides language lecturers with supportive environment to investigate new modes, e.g. teaching and learning in order to keep language learning up to date, interesting and relevant.