UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ LANGUAGE POLICY ACTION PLAN 2012-2013 SUBMITTED TO RECTOR AINO SALLINEN ON 14 JUNE 2012 UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ
CONTENTS Introduction...3 1 University as a learning environment...4 2 University as a work environment...7 3 University as a societal agent...10 2
INTRODUCTION During its first term, 15 March 31 December 2011, the Language Policy working group of the University of Jyväskylä prepared a proposal for the Language Policy of the University. The proposal was then approved by the University Board on 25 January 2012. The working group continued its work by Rector s appointment until 31 May 2012 in order to prepare a detailed Language Policy Action Plan which also defines responsibilities between operative parties and cost effects of the plan. The working group was also requested to prepare English translations of the policy and the action plan. Director Anne Pitkänen-Huhta (Department of Languages) continued as Chair of the working group. Continuing members of the group were Lecturer Eija Aalto (Department of Teacher Education), Head of Planning and Development Päivi Fadjukoff (Agora Center), Project Researcher David Hoffman (Finnish Institute for Educational Research), University Teacher Jaana Keski-Levijoki (Sign Language Centre), Head of International Office Tuija Koponen (University Srvices, International Office), Secretary of International Affairs Sanna Patja (Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä), Researcher Mika Risku (Institute of Educational Leadership), Lecturer Anne Räsänen (University Language Centre), and Researcher Taina Saarinen (Centre for Applied Language Studies). Programme Manager Jyrki Kauppinen (School of Business and Economics) joined the working group as a new member. Head of Internationalization Anna Grönlund-Qvarnberg (University Services, Division of Strategic Planning and Development) continued as the secretary of the group. The working group proposes in what follows an Action Plan for the implementation of the Language Policy of the University of Jyväskylä for the years 2012-2013. The group also proposes that the execution of the Action Plan be evaluated and a decision be made about a future action plan at the end of year 2013. The working group proposes that the University appoint a body to monitor and follow up the execution of the Action Plan and to make a further proposal for required future actions according to the schedule given above. Jyväskylä, 14 June 2012 On behalf of the Language Policy working group Anne Pitkänen-Huhta Chair Anna Grönlund-Qvarnberg Secretary 3
1 UNIVERSITY AS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Aims Actions Responsibility assigned to Cost effects The graduates of the University will have multiple and top-level language, communication and cultural competences and ability to act in multilingual and multicultural settings. The Finnish language is the cornerstone of our international university A multilingual and multicultural operating environment is the starting point and resource for teaching. Personal Study Plans (PSP/HOPS) and related counselling are adjusted to form a central tool with the help of which the systematic development of students international and intercultural competences and multilingual communication skills as part of their degrees is guaranteed. - A tailored material is produced and regular training arranged for HOPS counsellors. - The various alternatives for developing international and intercultural competences are addressed and explained in HOPS counselling, including study or internship abroad, internationalisation at home, language, communication and cultural studies, etc. - ehops (including the internationalisation survey) ja eportfolio are developed so that recording of the development of such competences becomes possible. Departments - PSP/HOPScounsellors - teachers - student tutors - students Language Centre University Services / International Office Project funding to develop the HOPS material, ehops and eportolio or As part of the funding allocated to the Student Life concept for the development of HOPS training and eportfolio - International degree students competences in Finnish language and culture are supported in order to facilitate integration and employability in Finland. 4
Concrete models are created for integrating language and communication studies with content (discipline) studies. - Teaching of research writing in Finnish and in English is integrated in all graduate and post-graduate studies, and their expected learning outcomes are defined. - Specific training in academic writing and presentation skills, as well as language services, are provided to assist research communication intended both for the research community and for the general public. Faculties Departments Language Centre Teachers The quality of teaching through English is systematically ensured. - The necessary competences in English communication (C1 level proficiency) and intercultural pedagogy are described according to the requirements of the University s operational environment, to be demonstrated in some evidential form that is developed and later also used in recruitment. - The continuity of, and flexible staff access to the university pedagogical TACE programme Teaching Academic Content Language Centre Language Campus HR services Staff development committee International co-operation partners Faculties Departments Continuous funding for the Teaching Academic Content Through English (TACE) programme Special project funding to develop descriptors and evidential forms for demonstrating the communication and pedagogical competences required in JyU Englishmedium instruction 5
through English are ensured. - The language quality of English-medium research communication and theses and dissertations is systematically attended to. 6
2 UNIVERSITY AS A WORK ENVIRONMENT Aims Actions Responsibility assigned to Cost effects The University management and unit management have a particular responsibility for implementing the Language Policy. The University Language Policy is communicated and discussed actively and made visible in the University s activities. - Faculties and departments apply the principles of the Language Policy by recording their own actions for implementation as part of their annual financial and policy plans (TTS process). - The good practices of faculties, departments and units are collated and shared internally within the university e.g. through wikis, websites and annual seminars. - Staff are encouraged, and also presupposed, to develop their language and intercultural communication competences related to their work and duties. The systematic development of these competences is addressed as part of the development and evaluation discussions and work plans. University Services Faculties Departments and units Managers and supervisors 7
Equal and barrier-free communication is the right and obligation of every member of the University of Jyväskylä work community. The right of the non-finnish speaking staff to equal and barrier-free communication and their opportunity to participate in the University s operations are strengthened by developing enhanced internal communications in English. - A translator is recruited to University Services to collaborate with the Language Services of the Language Centre and to specifically attend to translating administrative documents and other communications materials, as well as informative materials related to matters which are still in preparation but need to be shared with the staff. University services Translator /University Services Language Centre / Language Services Funding to recruit a translator. Funding to obtain a licence for the additional section of the online MOT dictionary. - An organisational Finnish-English-Finnish glossary is collated and stored as part of the MOT online dictionary, and its updating is the responsibility of the translator assigned to University services in co-operation with other experts. 8
The staff can act flexibly and naturally in multilingual and multicultural settings. The language and intercultural competences of the staff are improved and maintained through purposeful and systematic staff development programmes. - Tailored and job-targeted short-term training modules are offered to various staff groups as part of their continuing professional development. University Services, HR services Staff development committee Language Centre In co-operation with faculties and units. As part of the overall development of the staff training and development. - The development of the Finnish communication skills of non-finnishspeaking staff is attached to development and evaluation discussions as well as to work plans in accordance with what the person s work duties and nature of employment requires. - The language and communication competences (also partial competences) of staff are made transparent by recording them in some suitable system (e.g. SAP) which enables their visibility e.g. on the webpages in connection with the person's contact information. 9
3 UNIVERSITY AS A SOCIETAL AGENT Aims Actions Responsibility assigned to Cost effects The University continues to contribute to the preservation of Finnish as a language of science. Publishing and communicating on research in the Finnish language is valued and encouraged. The University supports these activities through training, services, and appraisal systems. University management University services University communications The Barometre for evaluating societal interaction The University s experts have a social responsibility to communicate on research also in Finnish. The research information obtained at the University is actively communicated upon and popularized for the general public, and new innovative means are created for this. Researchers University s internal funding model 10