The Project Outcomes

The results of LARA's investigations into the current state of practice concerning residence abroad in language degrees and its consideration of ways in which the period abroad might be more effectively integrated with the rest of the degree programme are presented in a report, Learning and Residence Abroad in Practice.

The six sub-projects set up to carry out specialised work in key areas, identified by QA assessors and by language staff across the HE sector as being of particular importance, have produced a range of outputs.

Three of them, concerned directly with aspects of the teaching and learning process, have produced courses designed to develop the students' independent learning skills, to be adopted or adapted by language departments as their circumstances allow.

Two have investigated the complex area of assessment and accreditation and have produced possible solutions to some of the problems associated with it, notably by the use of learning agreements.

The sixth has investigated the demands of employers as regards the IT skills required of students on work-placements and the ways in which those demands can best be met.