A case study describing an institution-wide scheme to provide a financially viable programme of structured self-managed learning support and oral practice to Bournemouth University staff and to students wishing to develop their foreign language skills outside their degree programme and using international students as facilitators.
At Bournemouth University (BU) the Languages Programme (LP) has a successful track record of developing communicative skills for management. However student access to the LP is determined by Programme Teams. The all@bu scheme (Access to Language Learning at Bournemouth University) was set up to widen access to language learning free of charge on a voluntary and viable basis for students whose programme does not accredit foreign language study. At the same time it was seen as an opportunity to integrate non-UK students by helping them to play a valuable and valued role in the drive towards internationalisation.
