Transcript Progress Files and PDP

Languages and the development of
key skills for employability
“I can work effectively on my own but I can also work
well in a team.”
Dawn Leggott and Jane Stapleford
Leeds Metropolitan University
[email protected]
[email protected]
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Contents
“I organise my time better now.”
 Outline of the research
 Two main ‘discoveries’
 Attempts to respond to the research findings through
modifications to the curriculum
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
The 5-year Research Study
“A life-building experience. It has helped me with my
confidence and really changed me as a person.”
 The Focus
 The Participants
 The Course
 Data Collection Methods
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Skills for the Future
“You learn a lot of skills at university… it makes you a
different person.”
Skill
Developed Useful for Work
Time Management
65%
69%
Self Awareness
62%
62%
Language learning strategies
57%
50%
Organisation and planning
42%
54%
Critical thinking and analysis
27%
46%
Self-confidence
39%
39%
Self-responsibility
65%
50%
Decision making
39%
46%
Problem solving
34%
42%
Others (particularly Year Abroad)
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
The Year Abroad
“The year abroad is different to previous
years. I have learnt new skills that couldn’t be
learnt at home.”
•
•
•
•
Maturity
Employability/Key transferable skills
Cross-cultural awareness
Language skills and Language Learning
Strategies
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Two ‘discoveries’
“The skills you learn…can be transferred to every walk
of life…”
 How these findings have informed tutors in the language
department about how to integrate and embed skills
development into the curriculum
– Recognition of the students’ low awareness of the skills
we intended them to develop
– Realisation that many students are unaware of
employers’ skills requirements
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Questions?
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Employability Office
Enhancing Employability
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Key Features of the approach
 Embedding in the curriculum
 Enhancing and re-packaging the existing curriculum
 Linking with mainstream academic work
 Customised support and delivery
 Building career development into PDP for Progress Files
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
STUDENT
Employability Awareness of
Skill
Development
in %
STUDENT
Perceptions
of Use for
Work in %
EMPLOYER
View of
Importance
in %
EMPLOYER
Satisfaction
in %
Time
Management
65
69
80
58
Organisation
& Planning
42
54
84
64
Critical
thinking &
Analysis
27
46
79
68
Self
Confidence
39
39
78
69
Problem
Solving
34
42
84
63
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Audit - What was missing?
 Explicit links to employability / what employers want
 Input at Level 2
 Sufficient preparation for work experience / Year Abroad
 Reflection
 Sufficient support and feedback
 Career management skills
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
PDP in Language Courses in SOL
Level 1 - Personal and Professional Development
(PPD)
Awareness of own strengths and weaknesses, skills analysis, learning
styles, study skills, reflection, evaluation of their own learning,
organisation and planning, presentation skills, group working,
planning for future learning, portfolio development
Level 2 - Observing Culture
Self awareness of career interests, cross cultural awareness,
globalisation, opportunity awareness, presentation skills, CV
development (in a foreign language), reflection, preparation for work
experience – all in preparation for Year Abroad .
Research Skills. Enhancing portfolio, action planning.
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
PDP in Language Courses in SOL
Level 3 - (Year 3)
YEAR ABROAD
Level 3 - (Year 4) Work Related Project – Full Module
Reflections on Year Abroad. Project management, research, team
working, communication skills, time management, objective setting
and strategy, reflection on their own experiences and performance,
enhancing CV, job searching, applications and selection processes,
postgraduate opportunities. Portfolio
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY
Languages and the development of
key skills for employability
“I can work effectively on my own but I can also work
well in a team.”
Dawn Leggott and Jane Stapleford
Leeds Metropolitan University
[email protected]
[email protected]
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGES/EMPLOYABILITY