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SALT FE DAY: 18 JUNE 2004 - Report
Around 25 people attended the FE Day organised by
SALT FE representative Hannah Doughty, with lots of
support from Roger Breckon, Convener of the Scottish
FE Network (Modern Languages) and the infatigable Lottie
Gregory from Scottish CILT.
Roger updated participants on new developments at SQA,
SFEU and explained the importance of increasing links
with SALT. Hannah explained that although school matters
predominate, there is a voice for FE and HE through
the two representatives on the board. Most recently,
a letter to Jim Wallace has been composed in response
to concerns about language in the FE/HE sectors.
Hannah intimated her intention of standing down as
FE representative in November as she no longer works
in the sector. However, it will be important to continue
to have FE representation on the SALT Executive and
Hannah will stay on until arrangements for the new FE
rep are in place.
Fiona Mackinnon from SQA then gave
a presentation about the current and ongoing negotiations
regarding the level and contents of Higher National
(HN) language units. A steering group has been established
with membership consisting of representatives of FE
colleges and the FE Network, the external moderators
for HN units and SQA members. At the last meeting, held
on 16 June 2004, it was agreed that a proposal will
be put to SQA to allow the development of a suite of
three new HN language units, with the first at SCQF
level 4, the second at level 5, and the last at level
6. If the proposal is accepted, the units will be developed
in the autumn, together with exemplification, for use
from session 2005-06 onwards.
Fiona’s presentation was followed by two short
addresses:
- Lilo Börgmann from the Goethe Institute
highlighted the need to raise the profile of German
in FE colleges and offered to support requests for
professional development
- Professor Richard Johnstone OBE
updated participants on current developments at Scottish
CILT, and indicated his desire to support
FE lecturers through the link with SALT. He suggested
a number of ways in which this could happen, e.g.
through a conference on school-FE transition
After lunch, SALT chair Abi Adam joined
the participants and reiterated Hannah’s message
earlier regarding the wish to establish closer links
between SALT and FE.
Participants then split into two working groups to
decide on the preferred number and type of assessments
for the proposed new HN language units.
At the final plenary the groups fed back their deliberations,
and there was agreement to limit assessments to a maximum
of five per 40-hour unit, and to integrate listening
and speaking assessments whenever possible.
Roger gave a vote of thanks and participants gratefully
retired for some more refreshments before heading off,
minds still buzzing…
Hannah Doughty
September 2004
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