El desarrollo de competencias comunicativas a través de seminarios transversales ECTS: una experiencia en la universidad de Jaén

Abstract

This article describes an innovative experience in the development of cross-curricular generic and subject-specific competencies carried out via a system of ECTS seminars which has been developed within the degree in English Philology at the University of Jaén during the academic year 2008-2009. The aim of these seminars has been to reinforce coordination amongst professors, to overcome the oftentimes worrying individualism which characterizes teaching practices at tertiary level, and to make the transition from the transmission of information model based on ex-cathedra lecturing to a more critical and significant learning based on competencies and not merely on contents. After justifying the need for an experience of this type and describing its development, contents, and evaluation, the article goes on to present the results of the descriptive study which has accompanied it. The outcomes of the investigation have revealed that the ECTS seminar system has been highly beneficial for the participating students. The latter have been aware of the existence, development, and usefulness of a set of generic and specific competencies which are essential for the English philologist. We consider that, in our immediate context, these ECTS seminars have constituted an important first step in the integration, teaching, and assessment of competencies in the curriculum.