The
Language Workshop
North Devon College
Barnstaple
Devon EX31 2BQ
Person in charge of project: Stella Hames
The Language Workshop offers the teaching of eleven languages at a variety of levels. Classes run in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Greek, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Arabic. Levels start with beginners and lead up to degree level as follows: LDC GOALS Bronze Award, GOALS Silver Award, GCSE, AS- and A-level, ELIC Advanced Level, Intermediate Diploma and Full Diploma.
Over the past three years more than 400 students per year have studied
languages through the Language Workshop. The students are a mixture of
16–19 year old full-time students and mature students. Some full-time
students start a new language under the 'Activities' programme because
they are involved in an exchange project. Others continue with one they
may have taken at GCSE.
Many members of college staff take advantage of the possibility of learning a language especially if they are responsible for an exchange. Many mature students and retired people come to study at the Language Workshop and enjoy the flexibility of its classes. Retired people often attend day-time classes and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the class where learning is enjoyable and seen as a social activity. Some students study for work-related reasons, and firms send their employees to us or arrange for classes to be held in their offices or factory.
The emphasis is on flexibility and fitting the course to the needs of the student. The tutor can visit students with poor mobility. Students with poor visibility or learning difficulties are allowed extra time with the tutor. These students will also be provided with audio tapes to aid learning. All students can take advantage of the interactive computer programmes and work at their own pace to improve their linguistic skills. Although the majority of classes run from September to June, students can join an existing class at any time during the year as long as the level is appropriate. If a small group of students wish to start a course this can be started at any time.
Language
Workshop staff also give help with foreign contacts and correspondence
work in the eleven languages, and both students and staff provide help
locally with foreign students visiting this area. In the five years that
the Language Workshop has been running no student has been turned away
or refused a request for help in any type of language-related activity.
The project has helped members of the local community in commerce, industry,
health care, legal activities and the arts.
Judges' comments
The judges were impressed by the wide range of courses and languages offered
and the way languages are integrated into an international policy for
the whole college. Innovation and a commitment to meeting learners' needs
are in evidence in every aspect of provision. We think that North Devon
College provides a heartening example of what can be done to broaden access
and participation within what is often regarded as a 'Cinderella sector'
as regards language learning. FEFC inspector Roger Savage says: "When
others say 'you can't', it's refreshing to find an example of a college
workshop where they have always said 'you can'."
