scholarly journals Chaos Theory and the Neoliberal English-Based Dimension of the Polish Higher Education Reforms 2018/2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Odrowaz-Coates

This article draws on chaos theory to critically analyse the recent higher education reforms that have been taking place in Poland. The argument launched in this article aims to show that the reforms are based primarily on neoliberal foundations and to expose the linguistic dominance of the English language in neoliberal settings. The English language appears to be a strong tool of neoliberal power, used to empower or to marginalise local academics. The divisive power of English exploited by reformists creates a growing fissure between age cohorts, disciplines and academics representing diverse social backgrounds. The tension and uncertainty brought about by the reforms have increased the anxiety and competition between scholars, undermining solidarity and compromising joint agency. The long-term results of entering the neoliberal “rat race”, which is strongly reliant on English language skills, are yet unknown.

Author(s):  
Marek Kwiek

The article discusses the impact of changing demographics on the future of private higher education in Poland in the context of ongoing higher education reforms. After two decades of massive demand-absorbing growth, Polish higher education is expected to enroll 30-40% less students in 2022 due to demographic decline already felt throughout the system. Consequences for the private sector and policy options for the state are discussed.


Fachsprache ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 94-121
Author(s):  
Marian Flanagan ◽  
Carmen Heine

As teachers of English as a second language (L2) in web communication, our aim is to help L2 students improve their spoken and written English language skills. Teacher feedback has been shown to do this in some cases. However, only using teacher feedback can put huge pressure on the teacher, both in terms of time and resources. This paper describes and discusses our attempt at introducing peer feedback as an additional way of providing students with feedback on their English writing. Before conducting this study, we did not know if peer feedback would be feasible in our teaching environment or whether it would benefit the students and teachers. Our aim was to establish a status quo of our students’ abilities in providing and implementing peer feedback. We introduced peer-feedback tasks and focused on the types of feedback provided by the students, the phrasing of the feedback, both when implemented and not implemented by the students, and the types of revisions made by the students. Our findings allowed us to develop peer-feedback process guidelines for web communication as a way towards improving written feedback processes in higher education, and hopefully for others to adapt and implement in their own communication classrooms.


Author(s):  
Liudvika Leisyte

The Bologna process has spurred higher education reforms in various European countries. Higher education reforms in Lithuania took place rather incrementally and represented an interaction between two strong powers—the state and the academic oligarchy. In the 1990s, the structural changes at the forefront of the Bologna-related reforms in Lithuania, but higher education reforms have remained stagnant in Lithuania. It is too early to draw conclusions about the success of the reforms, but the involvement of various stakeholders and the vision of broad reforms increase hopes for prospects of a more radical change of the Lithuanian higher education landscape.


Author(s):  
Zoulal MANSOURI ◽  
Mohamed El Amine MOUMINE

This article takes stock of the aspects of higher education provision invested in the fight against the phenomenon of dropping out of university. These aspects are exposed from a review of the literature on higher education reforms in Morocco since 1999. Chronologically, they are reviewed in the National Charter for Education and Training 1999, in the Plan of Emergency 2009-2012, in the Action Plan 2013-2016, and finally, in the Strategic Vision of the Reform 2015-2030. It is concluded that despite the efforts made in quantitative retention étudiantsà university until graduation, progress still to make qualitatively.


2003 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Chris Dowson

Following initiations in educational reform that began in the 1990s, Hong Kong continues to experience considerable pressure for educational reform. On the surface many of these initiatives parallel reform policies/movements in Asia and indeed, globally. The success of any reform is dependent on how it is contextualised prior to and at implementation. In this article, an exploration is made into how reforms in four particular sareas, namely: professional development of principals, higher education, English language standards, and inclusion of students with learning difficulties have been conceived, contextualised and managed in Hong Kong, as it moves gradually toward increased adoption of education reforms. These areas are linked in that each describes and critiques contextualization with reference to areas such as accountability, co-operation and professional control.


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