A book commemorates the 60th anniversary of the School of Modern Languages

The presentation of the book took place this morning, at the Aula Magna of the Historic Building.
The presentation of the book took place this morning, at the Aula Magna of the Historic Building.
Institutional
(07/04/2014)

This year, the School of Modern Languages (EIM) of the University of Barcelona celebrates its 60th anniversary. Founded by the writer and professor Ramón Carnicer in 1953, it was the first university language school in Catalonia. The School introduced modern ideas regarding language teaching at the university. Now, sixty years later, it continues teaching more than eighteen languages to a high number of students: around 5,000 every year. To commemorate the anniversary, Publicacions i Edicions de la UB has edited the book 20 llengües, 40 relats, 60 anys. LʼEscola dʼIdiomes Moderns (1953-2013) / 20 languages, 40 stories, 60 years. The Escola dʼIdiomes Moderns (1953-2013). The publication (bilingual Catalan-English) makes a review of EIMʼs history and includes forty stories told by different people —executives, teachers, members of the administrative staff, grantholders and students— who have contributed to the success of the centre throughout these sixty years.

The presentation of the book took place this morning, at the Aula Magna of the Historic Building.
The presentation of the book took place this morning, at the Aula Magna of the Historic Building.
Institutional
07/04/2014

This year, the School of Modern Languages (EIM) of the University of Barcelona celebrates its 60th anniversary. Founded by the writer and professor Ramón Carnicer in 1953, it was the first university language school in Catalonia. The School introduced modern ideas regarding language teaching at the university. Now, sixty years later, it continues teaching more than eighteen languages to a high number of students: around 5,000 every year. To commemorate the anniversary, Publicacions i Edicions de la UB has edited the book 20 llengües, 40 relats, 60 anys. LʼEscola dʼIdiomes Moderns (1953-2013) / 20 languages, 40 stories, 60 years. The Escola dʼIdiomes Moderns (1953-2013). The publication (bilingual Catalan-English) makes a review of EIMʼs history and includes forty stories told by different people —executives, teachers, members of the administrative staff, grantholders and students— who have contributed to the success of the centre throughout these sixty years.

 
The presentation of the book took place this morning, at the Aula Magna of the Historic Building. The rector of UB, Dr Dídac Ramírez, chaired the event. The personalities who participated in the presentation were Lluís Jofre, director general for Universities of the Government of Catalonia; Doireann MacDermott, widow of Ramón Carnicer and co-founder of EIM; Xavier Varea, director of EIM and the Àrea de Formació Complementària of UB, and Philip Banks, EIMʼs former director and current teacher. Moreover, Andrés Sarri, who studied at EIM in 1953 and continues studying today, and M. Pau Huguet, TV3 journalist and EIMʼs student, explained their experiences at the School.
 
Teaching foreign languages for sixty years
 
20 languages, 40 stories, 60 years. LʼEscola dʼIdiomes Moderns (1953-2013) commemorates the 60th anniversary of EIM. The book honours EIMʼs educative task which has put down roots in the university community and has become an example of language teaching in Barcelona.   
 
First pages are some notes about the precursor of the institution: the Language Institute, which is little known and quite forgotten. Then, the creation of EIM in 1953 —after the halt brought by the war— is personally described by the philologist Doireann MacDermott, widow of professor Ramón Carnicer who founded the School together with her husband. Moreover, the story of the centre is illustrated with memories, experiences and anecdotes provided by around forty people who have been involved in EIM throughout these 60 years.
 
The last part of the book is a collection of chronological anecdotes given by students that describe their personal experiences at the School. They are anonymous students —professionals who needed to study a foreign language for their work— and prestigious UB lecturers who were EIM students. Their anecdotes and experiences at the School ensure EIMʼs academic quality and human values.
 
For further information about EIMʼs 60th anniversary, please read this piece of news