CUT
The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) was established in 2004. It started offering courses in September 2007 (CUT Handbook 2007-2008). All its programmes have included compulsory and elective language courses from the very beginning, as an integral and indispensable part of the study programmes.
CUT LC
The CUT Language Centre (LC) was established as an autonomous entity of the university in order to ensure the best possible language policy implementation. The fundamental aims were to base language curriculum on current theories and practices in second language learning, tailor the courses to learners’ specific needs related to their fields of study, and base all the language centre activities on theories and practices in Language Policy development according to both the European and Cypriot standards. The aim of the CUT LC language policy is to best reflect the university’s goals and context and serve the academic and general community.
CONTEXT
The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union. The LC language policy therefore falls within the framework of the aims of the Council of Europe. This aims to promote linguistic diversity and language learning in the field of education (Council of Europe Language Education policy. n.d.). In addition to the learner’s mother tongue, it also promotes the learning of at least two foreign languages by every European citizen (European Language Policy 2009).
The LC language programme therefore includes 6 of the 23 official European Union (EU) languages and 6 of the languages offered by the government education system of the Republic of Cyprus (Language Education Policy Profile, Cyprus 2004, 2003-2005). More official EU n.d. other languages are planned to be added in the future, based on needs and request.
Language courses are offered to students, in order to assist them in satisfying the Council of Europe Language Education Policy, the university’s language requirements, and their personal, social, educational, research and professional needs. Tailor-made language programmes are also offered to administrative and teaching staff, and to professionals and members of the community.
Resources range from printed and electronic materials to specialised learning and teaching equipment and facilities such as Smart Multimedia Classrooms (Davies et als. 2005, 2007; Stevens 2000). Moreover specially made materials can be designed for personal further development.
A Research and Cooperative and Interactive Language Learning Centre (ReCILLC) also operates within the LC to cater for learners’ other linguistic needs, beyond the classroom environment (for example learners with special abilities, weak students, students who are motivated to learn on their own).
Part of the Centre’s mission is also to offer language related services to the general community such as language testing, interpreting and translating. In collaboration with respective schools and departments and other university services, the LC also explores possibilities of student visits to local or overseas universities or work places, thus combining language learning and student special field of expertise.
All this is done based on a solid governance and management system, which ensures the smooth functioning of the Centre. The LC aims to ensure good quality language teacher training for both the Centre instructors, and language instructors of other institutions as well as their familiarisation with the use of new technologies and assessment techniques. It uses an internal system of evaluation and quality control to ensure quality in all the aspects of its operation.
Language Centre language policy
CUT
The Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) was established in 2004. It started offering courses in September 2007 (CUT Handbook 2007-2008). All its programmes have included compulsory and elective language courses from the very beginning, as an integral and indispensable part of the study programmes.
CUT LC
The CUT Language Centre (LC) was established as an autonomous entity of the university in order to ensure the best possible language policy implementation. The fundamental aims were to base language curriculum on current theories and practices in second language learning, tailor the courses to learners’ specific needs related to their fields of study, and base all the language centre activities on theories and practices in Language Policy development according to both the European and Cypriot standards. The aim of the CUT LC language policy is to best reflect the university’s goals and context and serve the academic and general community.
CONTEXT
The Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union. The LC language policy therefore falls within the framework of the aims of the Council of Europe. This aims to promote linguistic diversity and language learning in the field of education (Council of Europe Language Education policy. n.d.). In addition to the learner’s mother tongue, it also promotes the learning of at least two foreign languages by every European citizen (European Language Policy 2009).
The LC language programme therefore includes 6 of the 23 official European Union (EU) languages and 6 of the languages offered by the government education system of the Republic of Cyprus (Language Education Policy Profile, Cyprus 2004, 2003-2005). More official EU n.d. other languages are planned to be added in the future, based on needs and request.
Language courses are offered to students, in order to assist them in satisfying the Council of Europe Language Education Policy, the university’s language requirements, and their personal, social, educational, research and professional needs. Tailor-made language programmes are also offered to administrative and teaching staff, and to professionals and members of the community.
Resources range from printed and electronic materials to specialised learning and teaching equipment and facilities such as Smart Multimedia Classrooms (Davies et als. 2005, 2007; Stevens 2000). Moreover specially made materials can be designed for personal further development.
A Research and Cooperative and Interactive Language Learning Centre (ReCILLC) also operates within the LC to cater for learners’ other linguistic needs, beyond the classroom environment (for example learners with special abilities, weak students, students who are motivated to learn on their own).
Part of the Centre’s mission is also to offer language related services to the general community such as language testing, interpreting and translating. In collaboration with respective schools and departments and other university services, the LC also explores possibilities of student visits to local or overseas universities or work places, thus combining language learning and student special field of expertise.
All this is done based on a solid governance and management system, which ensures the smooth functioning of the Centre. The LC aims to ensure good quality language teacher training for both the Centre instructors, and language instructors of other institutions as well as their familiarisation with the use of new technologies and assessment techniques. It uses an internal system of evaluation and quality control to ensure quality in all the aspects of its operation.
