The School of Modern Languages celebrates its 60th anniversary

Teaching foreign languages for 60 years

EIM was created in the academic year 1953-1954. It was founded by the professor of Philology of the UB Ramón Carnicer Blanco (1912-2007), who had already created the courses of Hispanic Studies one year before. “Its first objective was not different from todayʼs one: to offer affordable foreign language education to university students and graduates in order to facilitate their access to resources and contact with international experts”, remembers Philip Banks, an old hand at the School. “Considering that in 1953 there was only one university in Catalonia, EIM is undoubtedly one of the oldest language centres in Spain”, highlights Banks.

In its first year, only two languages, namely German and English, were taught, and a total of 457 people enrolled on courses. The following year, French and Italian were included and the number of students went up to 669. Over the years, the School has adapted to changing circumstances with wide course offerings that reflect university communityʼs needs. In academic year 2012-2013, a total of 5,630 students enrolled on courses and fourteen languages were offered: German, English, Danish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish and Chinese. As usual, English was the language with the highest number of students: 3,835. German, French and Italian were also popular; around 1,500 students enrolled on these languages courses.

“One of the aspects that most differs us from other language schools is our relationship with the UB. EIM offers courses on the most important campus of the University and a flexible timetable which is not offered by any other centre”, explains the director, Xavier Varea.

Currently, EIM wants to be a contact point between the University and the society. “If some time ago the School was considered an academic support for UB students, EIM provides society with a service that is gaining importance”, states Varea. In this sense, the School believes in high-quality language learning. An accreditation for language schools was created; it means a new way of ensuring rigour and excellence in language teaching. EIM is also one of the promoters of the Language Certificate of Catalan Universities (CLUC), an examination that proves peopleʼs English level. “Accreditation our task in society, as public institutions must guarantee that scattered language education is levelled down”, concludes Varea.

A series of cultural activities on Japan

Within the programme of activities planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of EIM, the Japanese Section organises some on Japanese culture and life: shows, lectures and a final contest.

Activities begin tomorrow, 21 November, with the lecture “De dioses, hombres y... mujeres. Una aproximación al shintoismo y la cultura japonesa”, pronounced Montserrat Crespín, graduated in Advanced Studies in Philosophy from the UB. The event takes place at 7 p.m., in the Sala dʼActes of EIM, at the building of the Àrea de Formació Complementària of the UB (582, Gran Via). Moreover, on 5 December, from 7 to 9 p.m., a demonstration of the art of wearing a kimono is conducted by Mitsuko Fukui.

For further information please visit EIMʼs website