May 2002-March 2003
Joint venture with BBC Education

The Nuffield Languages Programme and BBC Education have joined forces for a project to develop the e-learning dimension of adult language learning.

With the aim of adding to the range of opportunities for adults to learn languages, they are developing a prototype course for Spanish beginners, combining the flexibility of online learning with opportunities for interaction and support. Based on BBCi's online course Spanish Steps, the course is to be piloted in the autumn term with four provider-partners: the Brasshouse Centre, Cheshire Adult Education Service, Mid-Essex Adult Community College and the BBC's Learning Centre in Stoke.

The aim is to add to the opportunities open to adults to learn a new language - not to try and replace class-based learning, since there is evidence that many of those who attend language classes do so precisely because attempts to learn independently have proved unsuccessful. Although it is rather early to evaluate this dimension in relation to online learning, the reasons given by many for abandoning traditional forms of independent language learning relate to the isolation of the learning experience and the wish/need to confer with a tutor, to communicate with other learners on an occasional basis, to practise their speaking skills on a real person and (possibly) to have their achievement formally recognised.

What this project is about, therefore, is responding to these wishes and needs, and adding flexibility to the opportunities available for adults, whose language learning generally has to be accommodated alongside work, family and social commitments.

Piloting the prototype will inform the development of a more generic learning model. The effectiveness of the pilot will be closely monitored and we will be looking at its perceived flexibility, the impact on learner motivation and the role of tutor support. To enable comparison with existing delivery models, the BBC is recruiting a group of autonomous learners signed up to Spanish Steps and will gather detailed feedback from them.

Progress will be widely reported in 2003.