Oxford University Language Centre
More than 50,000 students and staff have studied a foreign language at Oxford University Language Centre since we opened in 1980.
Our facility, in Oxford’s heart on Woodstock Road, provides a University-wide service for students from all academic disciplines needing languages for study, research or personal development.
We currently run a wide range of courses catering for all needs, including our flagship Oxford Programme In Languages (OPAL) – providing fast-paced courses in four European and three Oriental languages.
Our other programmes include Languages for Study and Research (LASR), which offers more than 50 courses in 10 languages, and English for Academic Studies (EAS) - providing academic support courses for international students.
We have excellent library resources for independent study, covering about 140 languages, while our IT support enables students to access course materials and language resources online.
Today we reach nearly 3,000 students annually – one in six of the entire student body, the large proportion being postgraduates – and are one of the chief conduits linking Oxford to the wider world.
As we look to the future, we are actively seeking funding to:
Double the number of undergraduate students taking OPAL courses within five years:
Although numbers have increased steadily over the past six years (with 250 enrolling in 2008-09), the present self-funding fee level restricts widening access and participation.
An annual donation of £30,000 for five years would allow us to hold fees at the present level, or possibly reduce them.
Upgrade our online language learning support through the Latitude Web Project
Build on the recently-completed Latitude Project (which included the installation of a new language laboratory) to develop web-based learning materials across a broad range of languages.
A £100,000 donation, matched by Centre funding, will allow us to recruit a professional web developer for four years.
Reduce the waiting lists applicants presently face for our very popular LASR courses:
At present, there can be over 100 students on the waiting lists for some popular courses.
Give each Oxford student the opportunity to learn one or more languages,
Help to make the 'ideal Oxford graduate' fluent in foreign languages,
and;
Increase access to a potential audience of users across the University who could take advantage of increased and improved online resources.
The total cost of expanding the Centre’s resources and services is £500,000 over five years. Find out how you can help us reach this goal.
