Taking Research from Periphery to Core in a Caribbean Language Centre

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Author(s): Carter, Beverly-Anne
Language:
English
Source:
Language Learning in Higher Education. Dec 2020 10(2):511-519.
Publication Date:
2020
Document Type:
Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative

Additional Information
- Availability:
  De Gruyter Mouton. Available from: Walter de Gruyter, Inc. 121 High Street, Third Floor, Boston, MA 02110. Tel: 857-284-7073; Fax: 857-284-7358; e-mail: service@degruyter.com; Web site: http://www.degruyter.com
- Peer Reviewed:
  Y
- Source:
  9
- Education Level:
  Higher Education
  Postsecondary Education
- Subject Terms:
  Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Quality Assurance; Educational Quality; Foreign Countries; Evaluation Criteria; Universities; Language Laboratories; Program Descriptions; Services; Language Research; Departments; Spanish; International Cooperation; Educational Cooperation; English (Second Language); Cultural Awareness; College Faculty; Undergraduate Students; Writing Skills; Intercultural Communication; Synchronous Communication; Asynchronous Communication; Case Studies; Student Attitudes; Multilingualism; Bilingualism; Language Usage; Communities of Practice; Spanish Speaking; Parent Child Relationship
- Subject Terms:
  Trinidad and Tobago; Colombia; Venezuela
- Accession Number:
  10.1515/cercles-2020-2032/html
- ISSN:
  2191-611X
- Abstract:
  This paper draws on two research activities to discuss the role of research at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 1997, the CLL introduced languages for all into this Caribbean higher education (HE) context. The CLL also introduced an expanded language curriculum beyond the historical focus on Romance languages and literatures. As the language centre evolved with more languages being taught and more language services offered, research, nonetheless, remained a marginal activity. Yet without a research agenda, the CLL risked being seen as a "service unit" - an outlier in a university seeking to confirm its place in the highly competitive global HE landscape. As the CLL sought to embrace more fully the research mandate of The UWI and of language centres internationally, CercleS publications and documents, for example, "Quality Assessment Criteria for Language Centres" were of great utility. The latter document's focus on research as a quality indicator was consistent with The UWI's focus on quality assurance and research. Taking research from periphery to core is thus intrinsic to moving the CLL into closer alignment with both institutional and international norms.
- Abstract:
  As Provided
- Publication Date:
  2021
- Accession Number:
  EJ1282880

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