Pan-European CO-OPERATION
WITHIN THE SOCRATES FRAME WORK
Gerrit
BLOOTHOOFT
Utrecht University, UiL-OTS, Trans 10, 3512 JK Utrecht, The
Netherlands,
Phone: +31.30.2536042, Fax: +31.30.2536000
Internet: http://www.let.uu.nl/~Gerrit.Bloothooft/personal/
Abstract: A
short overview is presented of ten years of European co-operation in the area
of education in Speech Communication Sciences. Special attention is paid to the
possibilities of Associated Countries in this respect, in the past and in the
future.
Key words: Education, Socrates Thematic Network, Speech Communication
Sciences, Pan-European cooperation
1.
introduction
Ten years of
experience in cooperative actions for European training and education in Speech
Communication Sciences have preceded the current WERA workshop on Education and
Research in Speech Communication Sciences in Associated Countries. Figure 1 summarizes the major actions that
have been realised in this period.
Figure 1. A
chronological overview of network activities in Speech Communication Sciences
education over the past ten years. A star indicates a publication.
The cooperation in Speech
Communication Sciences did not start with the classical studies in Phonetic Sciences
(as part of humanities faculties) but we deliberately immediately included
Spoken Language Engineering, studied in technical universities, as well. The
philosophy behind this choice was that such a cooperation (both in research and
education) would be the driving force behind future developments. Already
implemented in 1990, this is even more valid today.
A
Pan-European description of Universities
The academic
community in Phonetics and Speech Communication can be estimated to constitute
about 200 departments in Europe. These include departments that present a full
four-year curriculum but also smaller sections that only present a few courses.
The active part of the network (for Western Europe) has only about 20-30
members, but includes most countries. The full coverage of countries is very
important for the understanding of all characteristics and differences between
European curricula. This mutual understanding has been promoted by the
realisation in 1995 of a book on European Studies in Phonetics and Speech
Communication [1] that presents useful information for students on 169 sites
across entire Europe - including Associated Countries -, the history and
present interests of Phonetics and Speech Communication per country and site,
but also the views of 33 experts on major aspect of the field to make students
enthusiastic, and a first description of elements that could constitute a study
of Phonetics and a study of Spoken Language Engineering. Such an achievement
seems to be critically dependent on a strong feeling of being a community -
which relates to the limited scope of the subject – and motivated members in
all countries, where colleagues from Associated Countries were especially eager
to join.
A European
Masters in Language and Speech
The development
of a European Masters in Language and Speech (technology), in another Socrates
project, has been an experiment that may bring changes in our ways for
cooperation. To overcome the current legal barriers between countries when it
comes to a Masters, the professional organisations (the International Speech
Communication Association and the European chapter of the Association for
Computational Linguistics) play an important role in the scheme. On the basis
of a definition of the contents of the Masters any student who acquires the
necessary knowledge and skills by attending accredited courses is awarded a
certificate by the professional organisations. This Emasters certificate can be
awarded besides any legal degree the student may obtain from his home university.
Courses can be attended across Europe and even may contain a considerable
virtual component. This would open possibilities for all European students to
acquire the certificate. The prestige from the certificate should come from the
professional organisation and from prospective employers who value it. The open
structure of the Emasters in Language and Speech offers excellent opportunities
for Universities and students in Associated Countries to join. There is already
the example of Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. More details can be
found in the corresponding paper in these proceedings.
A Socrates
Thematic Network
Given the
good cooperation shown under Erasmus, it was not difficult to create in 1996 a
new and prestigious Socrates Thematic Network with emphasis on reflection.
However, the extension with Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) in this network,
although well motivated, actually brought together two different communities.
This reduced the homogeneity of the network and asked for separate approaches
for the different areas (this time for Phonetics and Spoken Language
Engineering as well). The SLT community has no fully developed network (with
electronic communication), is much bigger than Phonetics and Speech
Communication, is far more heterogeneous in its curricula across Europe, has
besides theoretical and experimental also therapy goals of study, and includes
besides speech sciences many other disciplines. A careful choice of realistic
aims in the SLT area and first steps to bring SLT closer to Phonetics and
Spoken Language Engineering are required.
Clearly defined deliverables
of the network, in the Thematic Network realised by working groups not larger
than 8-12 persons, with well-kept deadlines, played a key role in its success.
The cooperation in Speech Communication Sciences resulted every year in
tangible output. The first year was used to present an analysis of the current
situation of studies in Phonetics, Spoken Language Technology and in Speech and
Language Therapy. The second year to present proposals which were distributed
for comments. Final recommendations on studies were presented as the result of
the third year’s work. [2-4].
II. ASSOCIATED COUNTRIES
What have been the possibilities of Associated Countries in the actions
described, and what opportunities may be provided in the future? Ten years ago
there was a strict distinction between co-operation among European Union
countries themselves, and between EU and other countries. Some Tempus projects
have strengthened the relation between universities and have given support to
the infrastructure in Associated Countries. However, it took until 1998 that
within the Socrates frame work countries got comparable opportunities (although
still finances have to be accounted for each Associated Country separately, and
the co-operation is not yet open to all interested parties).
Our experience in 1995, when working on the Handbook of Phonetics and
Speech Communication, was the enthusiastic input we got, especially from
Associated Countries. There was a clear wish to have closer relations to the
colleagues in the European Union. Another observation was that communication
within and among Associated Countries was not as well developed as in the
European Union. This was related to the poor ICT structure in the countries at
that time, and possibly also had historical reasons. This backlog has been
overcome during the last years and also the computational infrastructure has
improved, not in the last place due to co-operation programmes with colleagues
in the European Union. Also for future developments these co-operation
programmes are much needed and participation should be encouraged.
Within the Socrates Thematic Network “Speech Communication Sciences”, we
happily had partners from Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia
since 1998. This has resulted in improved mutual understanding of the
implementation of studies, and of the difficulties and (financial) limitations
that exist in Associated Countries. The recommendations from our Socrates
Thematic Network hopefully will support our colleagues in Associated Countries
(and elsewhere in Europe) if it comes to implement new studies or to modernize
or to extend existing studies.
The WERA workshop has brought together 20 participants from the Socrates
Thematic Network and representatives from Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and
Romania, to discuss Network results in relation to the current situation in
these countries. More than was possible within the entire network we could focus
on specific issues and we could discuss future opportunities. The papers give
responses on specific questions and describe the current situation in the
countries. The warm and positive atmosphere during WERA may be a precursor for
successful joint enterprises in the future. I hope that these proceedings
contribute to this process.
WERA
resulted from activities of the Socrates Thematic Network "Speech
Communication Sciences", supported by the European Commission (Education
and Youth).
REFERENCES
[1] Bloothooft, G.,
Hazan, V., Llisterri, J., and Huber, D. (Eds), European Studies in Phonetics
and Speech Communication, Utrecht: OTS publications. 560 pp., 1995.
[2]
Bloothooft, G., Dommelen, W. van, Espain, C., Green, P., Hazan, V., Wigforss,
E., The landscape
of future education in Speech Communication Sciences. 1.
Analysis, OTS publication, Utrecht. 160 pp., 1997.
[3] Bloothooft, G., van
Dommelen, W., Espain, C., Hazan, V., Huckvale, M. and Wigforss, E., The landscape
of future education in Speech Communication Sciences. 2. Proposals, UiL-OTS
publication, Utrecht. viii+131 pp., 1998.
[4]
Bloothooft, G., van Dommelen, W., Fellbaum, K., Hazan, V., Huckvale, M., Leahy,
M., and Wigforss, E. , The landscape of future education in Speech Communication
Sciences. 3. Recommendations, UiL-OTS
publication, Utrecht. ISBN 90-5434-071-1, viii+125 pp., 1999.