Le concept d'espace langues : une analyse de l'évolution des dispositifs dans le cadre d'un enseignement de type Lansad

This article describes how the 'espaces-langues' (language centres) concept has changed since it was introduced in the 1990s, first with the addition of a video workshop and then by a distance-learning component. We shall first base our discussion on Brigitte Albero's 2001 article, in which the author opposes two types of 'espaces-langues'. The first type 'espaces' which aim at improving an existing type of teaching, without however modifying it; and the second type 'espaces' which involves a radical revision of current language teaching methodology. We shall base our findings and discussion on a 12-year long practise of an 'espace langues' for a public of ESP university students. We shall first ascertain whether our practise belongs to the first or second type as defined by Albero. Various innovative components of our practise will lead us to propose a third type of 'espaces-langues' methodology