Oranna Speicher
Head of the Language Centre, E-learning Development Officer, Faculty of Arts
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Research Summary
I am currently leading three technology-based projects.
1. The One Stop Language Shop (OSLS) with Dr Thomas Koller
This project represents a considerable step change in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, where within a time frame of two years, we have gone from hardly any consistent e-learning to a central point that gives students access to language learning materials across 14 languages and several levels of competence. The OSLS is a self-access platform with materials that mirror the respective curricula of the academic departments and the Language Centre. It is delivered via WebCT and allows each language student at the SMLC to move between levels and, indeed, languages.
2. The Cultural Exchange with Maryse Wright
Together with a French colleague I have established a virtual exchange between Language Centre students of German and French and their peers at partner institutions in Germany and France. The exchange takes place on a weekly basis over 10 weeks using video conferencing facilities, webcams as well as a dedicated VLE site.
3. The Virtual Assistant with Sarah Wullink
Working together with the SMLC Widening Participation Officer and again using video conferencing equipment I have set up a weekly link between one of our Erasmus students from Austria and a group of A2 students from a school in Kirkby-in-Ashfield that does not have access to a German Language Assistant. Every week our exchange student takes the role of the virtual language assistant and has a 45 minute virtual meeting with the A2 students providing them with native speaker contact and opportunities for authentic and meaningful speaking practice.