NEWS
Opportunity to Acquire Bilingual Skill
Students of The University of the West Indies are expected to be able to converse in at least one language other than their native tongue when they graduate.
T he announcement was made by the university administration last October after in-depth, internal strategic planning and discussion with regional education stakeholders. According to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, Professor Justin Robinson, “Going forward, the expectation is that all UWI graduates will be at least conversation competent in a language other than English.” In a statement to the media, The
Already, a substantial number of graduates have specialised foreign language degrees. Majors and minors in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), and teaching competencies in others like Arabic, German, Hindi, Korean, and Yoruba have long been commonplace. However, this policy development will now see all students participating in foreign language training at a general level. Vice-Chancellor Beckles elaborated further: “This is a fundamental change that will transform the identity of UWI students and graduates and
Professor Justin Robinson Pro Vice-Chancellor for Undergraduate Studies, The UWI
UWI announced that the Foreign Language Policy for its five regional campuses has been approved and is being implemented on a phased, faculty-by-faculty and campus-by- campus basis, beginning in the academic year 2022- 2023 with applicability to new incoming undergraduate students only. This seminal initiative further advances The UWI’s compliance with best practices in teaching and learning found in elite-ranked cohorts. Vice- Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles noted that the “Significant change will enable the further regional and global mobility and empowerment of graduates. Foreign language proficiency will no longer be a major impediment to employment amongst our graduates in the global world.”
will provide more relevant graduates to serve as a development platform for the new, more modern, and globally competitive Caribbean economy.”
Universal coverage and participation of all students are anticipated within the next three academic years. Flexible access and easy learning is the pedagogical principle, with students having the option of self- tutoring or guided instruction. They will have the full duration of their academic programme to acquire language competence. Those coming into the university with prior competence shall be exempt from this requirement. l
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