Programme for foreign language learning in the university (2000-2005)

II CURRENT SITUATION

1. Knowledge of foreign languages among students entering university | 2. Foreign languages in the universities | 3. Legal framework

3. Legal framework
3.1. University entrance examinations (PAU)

The legislation that governs the PAU is given in Royal Decree 1640/1999 of October 22 and Royal Decree 990/2000, of June 2, which modifies and completes the former. The part of the law that specifically refers to the foreign language examination is to be found in section 3 of article 7 of Royal Decree 1640/1999, which specifies that the examination must be written.
With regard to the introduction of oral comprehension into the PAU foreign language exam, this programme proposes that students listen to oral material and provide written answers to some questions on the material. This examination would thus comply with the terms of the law, since the questions in the comprehension exercise must be answered in writing.

3.2. University syllabuses

The legislation governing university syllabuses is to be found in Royal Decree 1497/1987 of November 27, which establishes the general common guidelines for the syllabuses of university qualifications of an official nature and validity of these qualifications across the country.

This legislation provides for two ways to include a foreign language in the syllabuses: one as an obligatory course of study and another as a requirement for obtaining qualifications. This programme proposes to evaluate the adaptation of the possibilities to the needs of the different universities by taking into consideration the specific characteristics of each type of qualification.

3.2.1. The foreign language as an obligatory subject

The foreign language as an obligatory subject is considered in Article 7, b) 1 of Royal Decree 1497/1987, of November 27, which establishes that each university may freely include obligatory courses of study in their respective syllabuses.

This is the form chosen for almost all the qualifications granted by the Jaume I University of Castelló, the International University of Catalonia and the Open University of Catalonia. It is also chosen for certain specific qualifications for some universities, as is the case of various advanced and technical engineering qualifications granted by the Polytechnic University of Madrid.

The syllabuses of the Jaume I University of Castelló normally provide for studies in general English in the first cycle and for studies in specific English related to each type of qualifications in the second .
The International University of Catalonia also offers courses in both general and specific technical English; and this specific language is also used in the essential subjects that the university offers in English
To guarantee that students have attained the expected language level, they must pass an examination at the end of the first cycle and another at the end of the second.

The Open University of Catalonia approaches the study of English by concentrating on the acquisition of written language skills, reading comprehension and writing, since the aim of the course is to facilitate access to bibliography.

Foreign language studies in the Polytechnic University of Madrid, English in all cases, is not uniform for all types of qualifications. Some programmes offer general language study while others focus on technical language. The length of courses also varies; thus they may last either one quarter or two, throughout the degree studies.

Therefore the level of requirements and the objectives of foreign language students are extremely variable, depending on the university and also on the course of study.

3.2.2. The foreign language as a requirement for obtaining qualifications

The second way in which foreign language studies may be included in university syllabuses is considered in section 2.3 of Article 9 of the Royal Decree cited above, which establishes the possibility of including an examination as a prerequisite for obtaining the corresponding university qualifications.

This is the form chosen by the Carlos III University of Madrid, which includes knowledge of a foreign language as a requirement for obtaining all the qualifications on offer. To demonstrate their knowledge of this language, students must pass an examination or provide certificates that are recognised in the field, according to a comparative table.

Knowledge of a language is thus a requirement for obtaining qualifications and not an obligatory part of the syllabuses. Therefore, although the Carlos III University of Madrid provides a variety of ways in which to study foreign language, language courses do not make up part of the syllabuses. It should be added that the universities establish a distinction between bachelor's degrees - except in law - and advanced engineering, for which the language requirements are equivalent to the fourth year of the Official Language School, and diplomas and technical engineering qualifications, the requirements for which are equivalent to the third year.

Similarly, the syllabus for Computer Engineering at the Pompeu Fabra University establishes an obligatory examination of knowledge and aptitude in English at the intermediate level, which students must pass during the first cycle. This examination is also obligatory for students of business administration and economics, who must pass it during the third quarter of the third year.

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