Unsw institute of Languages 50th Anniversary Celebration Speech Notes – Professor Merlin Crossley
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UNSW Institute of Languages 50th Anniversary Celebration Speech Notes – Professor Merlin Crossley In 1966 the Institute of Languages was established as a modest enterprise. It was to be independent of the faculty structure providing language courses that did not count towards a degree. Its mission was to provide foreign language tuition to staff and students at the university. University Vice-Chancellor at the time, Sir Phillip Baxter noted that “no doubt it will in time, develop into a substantial activity.” Sir Phillip emphasised Australia's growing connections with Asia, as well as its European language needs. He believed that the University had a natural interest with its technological strength, in exploiting newly-developed language laboratory technology. Ten thousand pounds was set aside for the establishment of the Institute, to be located onthe Kensington Campus. Having been approved in January 1966, the university sought to appoint an inaugural Director and “Toby” Garrick was selected. He was linguist and educator who had worked in military intelligence during World War 2 and subsequently established the Defence Language facility at Point Cook before being employed to set up the UNSW Institute of Languages. The Institute commenced its first classes on 3 June 1968 with 77 students enrolled in Russian, Japanese and French. Speed-reading was also offered to 50 members of the university staff. These initial offerings were quickly followed by a proliferation of both Asian (Indonesian and Chinese) and European languages. It was recognised quite early that the Institute of Languages would need to be highly flexible and responsive in its course offerings, outside of the usual university process for degree courses, and that these would need to be offered, at least, on a cost recovery basis. In 1969 the Institute opened its doors to refugees from the collapse of the Prague Spring and the first intensive English courses for migrants were conducted which signalled the beginning of a long engagement in migrant education. By 1974 there were 1500 students enrolled over the year. In 1975 a special English course for Colombo Plan students and an Interpreting and Translation course were introduced. The Institute had outgrown its rooms on Kensington Campus and in 1981 moved to Randwick Campus. Also around this time the Combined Universities Language Test was developed and the first training course for teachers of English as Foreign language was introduced. Prior to 1987 the Migrant English Program (MEP) more or less operated as a regular Adult Migrant English program centre, funded by the Immigration department and working closely with NSW Adult Migrant English Service. From 1987 a network of similar university based centres was established to address the specific needs of migrants with professional and strong educational backgrounds and the Institute offered a range of specialised courses such as English for University Entrance, English for Health Professionals, and innovative programs such as English for Professional Employment and English for Engineers which included work experience. The Migrant program thrived during this period and throughout the 1990s until Department of Immigration funding was put out to tender. The Institute formed a consortium with the NSW Department of Education which lasted until 2011 when the last federally funded migrant English classes ceased operation. Teaching English to full fee paying international students had emerged during the 1980s but in the early nineties the this new education sector, “English language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students”, known as ELICOS suffered a significant downturn due to crisis in China. However because of the establishment of a higher level of student services, renovation of the Randwick campus, the Institute's excellent reputation, and intensive global marketing meant that enrolments grew. Throughout the nineties the Institute dramatically broadened its representation internationally, focusing particularly in Asia, Europe and Latin America. During the nineties there was significant growth in specialised English courses, with the accreditation of the UNSW English Entry Course, the introduction of English for Business Communication, High School English, English and Interpreting and Translation Skills, Foundation Studies Preparatory English, and the Tertiary Orientation Program. Test provision tenders such as for the PEAT (Professional English Assessment for Teachers), Qantas and TOEIC were secured. Through the mid-nineties the Institute of languages was involved in establishing and running offshore English programs and testing in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia and in China. One particular innovative project during the late1990s was the partnership with Unisearch which led to the development of Planet English, a pioneering technology based English language learning package of CD-ROMs, printed resources and educational support. In the late 1990s the Institute of languages opened its new building on the Randwick campus, Building R14 and was incorporated into the newly established New South Global Pty ltd, the for runner of today’s UNSW Global. In 2005 the Institute’s English for Academic Purposes Department moved, with Foundation Studies, into purpose built premises located at 223 Anzac Parade Kensington – the site of the old Unisearch Building. By 2006 English for Academic Purposes had become firmly established as the largest department, and as an important preparation pathway for students seeking to enter UNSW. Now, in 2016, Institute of Languages remains a uniquely comprehensive language centre offering English, other Languages, testing and teacher training. It is recognised internationally as one of Australia’s premium language centres and as such, directly supports the University’s international goals. The success of the Institute of languages is an example of one UNSW’s pioneering internationally oriented educational activities the true pioneering nature of UNSW which continues today, aligned with our global focus on innovation and research and the internationalisation of our student population. 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