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UNESCAP Language Programme Guideline
Overview
- The purpose of the United Nations Language Training Programme is to promote linguistic balance within the United Nations Secretariat, as recommended, inter alia, by the General Assembly in 2480 B (XXIII) of 21 December 1968, and reemphasized in A/RES/50/11 of 2 November 1995. At the same time, the command of UN official languages facilitates staff mobility, and it promotes diversity and cross-cultural understanding.
- The present guidelines attempt to formalize and harmonize the structure and processes of the UNESCAP language training programme in accordance with language training programmes at other UN Secretariat duty stations.
- The UNESCAP language programme is available to UNESCAP staff members, UNESCAP gratis-personnel, staff members of other United Nations agencies, programmes and funds based in Bangkok, as well as staff members’ spouses and diplomats of permanent missions associated with Advisory Committee of Permanent Representatives. In cases of oversubscription of courses, first preference will be given to UNESCAP staff members.
- The language training programme consists of courses in the six official languages of the United Nations Secretariat, i.e. Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Courses in Thai language are offered to interested staff members outside working hours on a private basis, outside the scope of the present guidelines.
- In each language, courses at eight levels (for English, French and Spanish) or nine levels (Arabic, Chinese and Russian) are offered. Successful completion of all levels, plus one or more UN Language Proficiency Examination preparation classes in some languages, equip the student with a proficient command of the language and should enable him or her to pass the UNLPE.
- In addition, specialist courses may be offered in one or more languages, e.g. preparatory courses for LPE, conversational courses or report and memo writing courses.
- Three terms consisting of twelve or thirteen weeks each are usually offered each year, with three hours of tuition per week (in two 90-minute classes). The duration of the tuition per week can be reduced to two hours if classes with five or less participants are sustained. Each term covers the syllabus of one level.
- The language programme (other than the Thai class) is free of charge for UNESCAP staff members and UNESCAP gratis personnel. Other participants are required to pay a tuition fee that is based on actual cost. Tuition fees must be paid in advance and are not reimbursable.
- Prior to the beginning of each term, email invitations for language courses are sent to all UNESCAP staff members, as well as to learning focal points of other United Nations entities.
- All registrants, whether new or continuing, who wish to take part in the Language Programme must register for a language course during the registration period.
- New students without prior knowledge of the language they aspire to learn will automatically be registered for the first level of the language they have applied for.
- New students with prior knowledge of the language they aspire to learn are invited to a placement test, so as to determine their appropriate level.
- Returning students who have been absent from a course of study for 3 terms or more will be required to take a placement test in order to re-enroll in the programme.
- Students who improved their language ability through additional self-study or learning activities outside UNESCAP may skip levels after consultation with the respective language teacher and ODSU. The decision will be based on the teacher’s recommendation and/or results of a test.
- Classes are normally offered if six or more students sign up and participate regularly, subject to availability of funding. Approximately one week before the beginning of the term, the confirmed schedules and student lists are posted on the ODSU website and at the Learning Centre.
- While staff members are not charged for language classes at UNESCAP, this activity represents a considerable cost to the Organzation. Therefore, we expect students to take their language learning seriously. Registered students are expected to attend at least 70 per cent of the classes per term.
- Students who believe that they will be unable to complete the course in which they are enrolled and wish to withdraw must do so in writing to ODSU with a copy to the supervisor concerned explaining the reason(s) no later than the second week of commencement of the classes.
- Paying students who cancel their registration later than two weeks after the term has commenced will be considered participants for the term and will be charged the full fee for each course in which they have registered (i.e., no tuition fees are refunded after the second week of commencement of the classes).
- A student who attends 70 per cent or more of the classes but fails the end-of-term exam or prefers to repeat the same level out of his own choice may have the repeater’s fee waived.
- A student who attends less than 70 per cent of the class and fails the end-of-term exam or does not attend the exam cannot repeat the same level and have the repeater’s fee waived unless the absences were due to travel on official business or approved leave for which an explanatory note from the supervisor is required. For non-paying students, a payment of the full tuition fee for the non-completed class will be collected if absence can not be justified as outlined above.
- A student who attends less than 70 per cent of the class but passes the end-of-term exam through means of self-study may enroll in the next higher level in the next term.
- At the end of each term, an examination is conducted. All students have to attend the end-of-term examination in order to continue at a higher level. Students who fail to attend the end-of-term exam, or do not pass the exam, will have to repeat the class at the same level, subject to availability of such classes.
- In cases of travel on official business or approved annual or sick leave, an alternative exam date may be scheduled, in cooperation with the teacher and ODSU.
- Students will be informed at the beginning of the term of the materials that are used during the course. Participants are expected to purchase all necessary materials by themselves and at their own expense. ODSU will not reproduce course materials.
- Students are encouraged to use and/or borrow additional language learning materials, including CDs and DVDs, from the Self Learning Centre, following the established procedures. Furthermore, the four computer workstations at the Self Learning Centre can be used for self-study purposes.
- Language classes are evaluated continuously so as to closely monitor and, if necessary, improve the quality of the language programme.
- At the end of each term, students will be asked for anonymous feedback of the programme, including the contents, method of instruction, facilities and administrative services of the language programme. All feedback is treated as confidential.
- Course participants who drop out from language classes before the end of the term are expected to provide feedback regarding the reasons for their withdrawal (see above under no. 17.).
- The United Nations language proficiency examination (LPE) is the official test of a staff member’s knowledge of a UN official language. All participants who have completed the highest level of a language course are highly encouraged to take the LPE.
- The LPE takes place once a year, usually in May, at various duty stations including Bangkok. It is centrally coordinated by the Office for Human Resources Management (OHRM) at UNHQ.
- The examination dates and information on registration will be sent to all staff members well in advance to the examination dates. More information on the LPE, including previous years’ examinations, can be found at http://www.un.org/exam/lpe
- The UNESCAP language programme is managed by Ms. Kanlaya Kamonwatin, ODSU (UN Secretariat Building 14A, tel. +66-2288-1663). Queries can also be addressed by email to
training-unescap@un.org.
- Additional information and updated schedules can be found at ODSU’s website at http://www.unescap.org/asd/HRMS/odlu/language.asp
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