Blended Learning as a Means to an End

Over the last few years the Language Centre has repeatedly had to disappoint students who wanted to learn a lesser-taught language or continue studying a more widely taught language at an advanced level. There were simply not enough
participants to make it viable to run such courses. Other HE and FE institutions reported the same problem, which prompted us to investigate whether we could bring
together students from a larger geographical area to boost numbers. Funded by the University of Worcester's Business Partnerships Office the Language Centre piloted two blended learning courses using a combination of face-to-face and
synchronous videoconferencing sessions. Our interest in blended learning was not so much motivated by using technology for technology's sake, but as a means of
bridging the geographical gap between tutors and students.