UCML Annual General Meeting

UCML Annual General meeting

03/07/15

Europe House

All reports are available on UCML website:

http://www.ucml.ac.uk/events/03-07-15.html-0

Attendance – list appended

1. Welcome (Chair)

2. Minutes from previous plenary meeting (26/01/2015) and matters arising:

·  Re 2.1 Masters funding - JW has checked with HEFCE and it is only new fees regime students who will be eligible for this (so not this year)

·  Re 5 IWLP: 60% institutions report a significant (up to 20% increase) should read 60% of institutions report a significant (up to 20%) increase

·  Re 5 IWLP: Need to celebrate success of IWLP, but as enrolment for degree programmes falls there is a risk that HE Senior Management Teams will view IWLP more favourably (risk of closures to degree programmes). IWLP is not a replacement for a degree so we need to get this message across.

·  Re 3.6 Treasurer report: online payment system has been set up as part of new system for subscription collection

Note: Minutes of Executive committee meetings - to be read in conjunction with committee reports on website.

3. Reports from committee members

3.1 Chair's report (Jocelyn Wyburd)

3.1.1 A level reform: new specifications (French, German, Spanish) released on 9th July (for consultation/feedback). Most awarding bodies will have their own lists of texts/films to be studied (all need at least 1 text and 1 film to be studied). First teaching from 2016 (first examination 2018)

Q: What role for UCML in supporting production of study resources developed by HEIs to support teachers who might be anxious about having to teach under the new syllabus. Could coordinate this via the UCML website (collect resources on website).

·  Could put it on Routes website but funding for Routes is due to end in 2016.

·  Should discuss this with Shirley Lawes who is the representative for teacher education. There is no support from DFE for this but awarding bodies do run courses and offer support resources which this initiative would complement. Also learned societies could get involved in this.

·  This doesn't address the threat to withdraw A levels for minority languages. Chinese, Russian, Italian specifications are due in 2016 (first teaching from 2017) but no other languages are planned (other than the main ones).

·  Might be best for CPD rather than resources.

·  UCML will gauge level of development and set up area on website if sufficient resources.

·  Also link to Bristol language learning MOOC which will run again in November.

·  Translation skills also required for A level so this should be joined up as well

3.1.2 EBacc policy update - JW wrote to Nicky Morgan and Nick Gibb. The text of their speeches and JW letters are on the news page of UCML website.

·  JW received a response from Nicky Morgan indicating that there is an expectation that yr7 pupils will be taking EBacc subjects throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, but a policy for implementation will be consulted on in the autumn, even though the expectation will have been implemented before this. This is likely to be enforced through Ofsted but some Heads may not enforce EBacc where they feel it is not in the best interest of some pupils.

·  JW also raised the issue of teacher supply and CPD for existing teachers who will have a wider range of pupils/abilities to teach. Signals are positive and welcomed by UCML but with some concerns.

·  Shirley Lawes - bursaries are being offered to recruit graduates to teacher training (up to £25,000 with no obligation to enter the profession) and teachers are also being recruited from abroad. The sector may need to encourage current UG students to consider teaching which has been avoided to some extent in recent rhetoric about employability of languages graduates more generally.

·  Members were encouraged to publicly welcome EBacc although there are some threats to lesser qualifications - Nicky Morgan has been lobbied by groups on this but some languages only have 15 entrants per year so it is not easy to make the case. Shirley is working with OFQUAL and the exam boards to seek a solution. There is a need for a more concerted policy to encourage take up of LWULT languages to satisfy EBacc requirements (the qualifications will then have worth rather than be seen as 'easy' qualifications for pupils who have the skills through home use). Messages from Routes consortia could contribute to this over the next year.

3.1.3 Catalyst bid: One bid moving is forward with encouragement from HEFCE on the theme of the Transnational Graduate

3.1.4 Health of the discipline: Languages are still under threat with closures still occurring. There is a need to flag up changes in education policy in schools as means of delaying cuts (more students are likely to come into HE in due course but not immediately) N.B.: For the latest on student recruitment the HEFCE data website is recommended - it is easy to use and search: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/analysis/supplydemand/

3.2 Vice-Chair, Language and Intercultural Education report (Elena Polisca replacing Paul Rowlett)

3.2.1 UCAS data analysis (see online report) indicates a general downward trend for acceptances other than Q subjects (linguistics). Applications statistics are up for 2015

3.2.2 LWULT survey is complete and will be distributed before the end of July. Members are requested to forward it to colleagues (not to include French, German, Spanish, Italian).

3.2.3 The Year Abroad survey (of fees charged etc) is being analysed

3.2.4 HEA focus groups have been held (Manchester group held on 26 June) at which the recruitment of new staff was discussed

3.2.5 UCML website: Education pages include link to HESA website for stats on uptake of language study over last 7 years. Languages seem to be only subject to have decreased (by 6%).

3.3 Vice-Chair, Research (Naomi Segal)

3.3.1 Links are provided in the report and on the UCML website to a summary of the REF reports. The metrics report is due in July.

3.3.2 AHA meeting (formerly AHUG). Sue Currell from the British Association of American Studies reported that the Foundation for Science and Technology supports learned societies.

3.3.3 It is still unclear what support for MAs will be forthcoming

3.4 Vice-Chair, External Communication and Engagement (Teresa Mackinnon not present)

3.4.1 The Chair thanked Teresa for setting up of twitter campaign #languagepolicyUK in the run up to the election. Members are encouraged to continue to use this when tweeting on policy or the need for policy for languages - it has already reached 26,400 indivdual accounts. The UCML facebook site also tweets new posts.

3.5 Honorary Secretary (Lesley Twomey)

3.5.1 Lesley welcomed new officers: Elena Polisca is taking over from Paul Rowlett as Vice Chair for Language and Intercultural Education; Joanna Drugan, replacing Rebecca Tipton for Translation Studies; Christopher Hood replacing Gerda Wielander for E. Asian studies and Lesley extended thanks on behalf of UCML to outgoing officers.

3.5.2 New members are being recruited and there are still outstanding subscriptions.

3.5.3 Future plenary meetings. Suggestions for workshops were invited:

·  Quality Assessment (reorganisation). TQA will look at earning potential of graduates which is alarming. HEFCE consultation on this ongoing. Also new QA benchmark statements.

·  External examining e.g. having a central bank of EEs rather than HEIs appointing their own.

·  HEA benchmarking scheme for IWLP (ongoing project)

·  Catalyst project

·  Teaching Excellence Framework

3.6 Treasurer report (Elodie Vailleton)

3.6.1 Elodie recorded her thanks to Marie Weaver for her help in setting up the new subscription system which is proving successful. Subscription numbers are given in her online report - 34 members have not yet responded or subscribed. Payment is now possible through PayPal (70% members have used this, but not associations). The final figures on the budget are not yet available. Not paying room hire is making a real difference to the meetings budget as Europe House doesn't charge for the venue.

4. Change of standing orders

This was circulated in advance to members in May and available on the website. Changes are indicated in yellow and are as follows:

a. Addition of Celtic studies (there is someone currently willing to stand). Welsh is not yet included but this is because the list of representative associations is not definitive.

b. Institute for Modern Language Research (IMLR) to be added to various constitutencies

c. Changes to associations. Association for German Studies (AGS) needs to be added. Roel Vismans will take this forward. Women in French (WIF) also be added - Di Holmes to take forward.

d. Northern Ireland - UCML chair responsible for adding information to relevant section of website (also in Scotland and Welsh sections)

Vote on changes unanimous (list of those present appended)

A question was raised about liaison in linguistics (there are been recent changes and a new rep). Lesley will circulate a reminder of the rep's duties.

5 Reports from Scotland, Wales and NI

3.8.1 Scotland report (Marion Spöring)

A Funding request to Scottish Government has been made for a Routes like programme - no result as yet. There is currently a policy of MT +2 in Scotland.

3.8.2 Wales report (Catrine Chabert)

Global futures has been launched by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). This is an initiative for one year to promote languages. Language Trends survey which was supported by the British Council Wales has been published and it looks like this has stimulated the WAG to act on the outcome. Routes into languages Cymru is in its second year of funding (by the HE sector) and the WAG appears keen to work with Routes Cymru

6. Any other issues which UCML should be addressing

6.1 Portuguese studies should have full rep on REF (to be raised again in Plenary session in the afternoon). East Asian studies has a similar concern.

6.2 Proactivity in respect of EU referendum. UUK has set up a Universities for Europe campaign - they have a concern for research funding if UK withdraws from the EU. Also Scientists for Europe (but this includes all researchers across disciplines) is a body who will be lobbying on this issue.

7. HEA report

·  HEA still has HEFCE funding and is running events for languages

·  It has funded the IWLP working group which is developing a benchmarking scheme for IWLP which will cross-reference to CEFR. It could also cross-refernce to language degree programmes to help employers understand what language skills students from different programmes actually have. It is a light touch scheme (not an accreditation scheme) and will feed into the Catalyst programme.

·  HEA Focus group meetings (see item 3.2.4).

·  HEA may still fund workshops - applications should be made via their website.

8. Routes report

Funding finishes in 1 year's time so there is a need to raise the profile of the scheme. JW has flagged this up with Nicky Morgan who indicates that he is aware of the programme. Routes SW recently ran a pop video competition - the results of which are online.

9. Dates of next meetings

Executive meeting: 30/10/15

Plenary: 15/01/16

Venue: Europe House.

The AGM thanked the European Commission for provision of space for all UCML meetings free of charge.

10. Any other business

The Chair gave thanks to Angeliki Petrits for all her support for UCML during her time in London. She is being posted back to Brussels but will still remain in contact with UCML.

The meeting ended at 12.31

Delegate list:

Catherine / Chabert / Cardiff University
Catherine / Davies / IMLR
Alison / Dickens / LLAS/ University of Southampton
Jo / Drugan / University of East Anglia / UCML T&I
Martin / Durrell / University of Manchester
Sol / Escobar / University of Essex
Mary / Fischer / Edinburgh Napier University
Stephen / Forcer / IMLR
Mairéad / Hanrahan / Society for French Studies
Chris / Harris / University of Liverpool
Susan / Harrow / University of Bristol
Katie / James / German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Emmanuelle / Labeau / Aston University / AFLS
Clive / Matthews / University of East Anglia
Jo / McCormack / Nottingham Trent University
Lourdes / Melcion / University of Roehampton
Fil / Nereo / Coventry University
Giuliana / Pieri / Royal Holloway, University of London / Society of Italian Studies.
Elena / Polisca / University of Manchester / UCML Vice Chair, Language & Intercultural Education
Phillip / Rothwell / University of Oxford / the Association of British and Irish Lusitanists
Anette / Schroeder-Rossell / king's college london
Naomi / Segal / Birckbeck / Executive UCML
Marion / Spöring / University of Dundee / Chair UCML Scotland
Ulrich / Tiedau / UCL
Lesley / Twomey / Northumbria University / UCML Hon secretary
Elodie / Vialleton / Open University / UCML treasurer
Roel / Vismans / University of Sheffield / Germanic Studies
Richard / Waltereit / Newcastle University / UCML Linguistics
Steve / Wharton / University of Bath / ASMCF
Jocelyn / Wyburd / University of Cambridge / Chair UCML