University language departments and centres offer wide-ranging expertise, whether in linguistics, language learning, translation, literature, film, history, politics or other fields. Studies may focus on France or China, Latin America or Russia. Yet we share common goals, and can enhance our visibility and influence by promoting a shared identity. The resources below assist in doing this by exploring what we mean by research in Modern Languages and what language study programmes have in common; how we benefit from networking and lobbying through subject associations, or expanding horizons by connecting with external partners. An audit tool serves to analyse departmental activities and to promote the success of languages in Higher Education.
Resources
| What is Modern Languages Research? Given the diverse and fundamentally multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary nature of research in Modern Languages, this document seeks to define the common characteristics and articulate a shared identity for researchers in the field. |
| Studying Languages in Higher Education in the United Kingdom This document sets out, in deliberately broad and simple terms, what studying languages at university in the UK normally means in order to improve and share general understanding. |
| A Mosaic of Subject Associations This document brings together accessible information about the wide range of academic subject associations in which UK scholars who work in the field of languages are engaged. |
| Language centres and academic departments This document, motivated by the Worton review of modern languages in HE in 2009, attempts to explore further the relationship between academic departments of modern languages and language centres in English universities. |
| Part 1: Expanding Horizons – Connecting with Professional Organisations and External Partners (Toolkit) Established relationships with external partners and stakeholders are vital for higher education language departments. This toolkit contains information, guidance and case studies to help universities raise the profile of languages to prospective and current students, leadership teams and policy-makers by developing mutually beneficial relationships with external partners. It contains ideas for a systematic approach and practical steps to strengthen relations with a range of external partners. Key sections focus on engaging professional and teaching organisations; employers and businesses; local, national and international stakeholders; and communication partners. |
| Part 2: Expanding Horizons – Connecting with Professional Organisations and External Partners (Resource pack) Established relationships with external partners and stakeholders are vital for higher education language departments. This Resource Pack is part of a toolkit containing information, guidance and case studies to help universities raise the profile of languages to prospective and current students, leadership teams and policy-makers by developing mutually beneficial relationships with external partners. |
| Part 3: Expanding Horizons – Connecting with Professional Organisations and External Partners (PowerPoint) A PowerPoint version of the written documents. |
| Shaping your department’s success: An audit tool for language departments in Higher Education Shaping a successful future for languages means shaping a successful future for language departments. This audit is designed to help staff form a holistic view of the strengths and weaknesses of their department. |