Languages of the wider world: valuing diversity
15 - 16 September 2008
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London
Organised jointly by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) and the SOAS-UCL Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Languages of the Wider World (LWW-CETL), this conference will bring together teachers, researchers, educational developers and policy makers to discuss practical and strategic issues relating to languages of the wider world in UK higher education.
Following the 2005 HEFCE-commissioned Roberts Report's identification of languages as strategically important and vulnerable subjects (SIVS), significant funding has been released to promote and support languages across sectors, develop networks for the teaching of professional skills, and engage in research. This has led to an increased awareness of the strategic, civic and cultural importance of languages of the wider world and the establishment of initiatives as Routes into Languages and the LWW-CETL.
This conference aims to build on the momentum by showcasing the range of work being undertaken within, and the challenges facing, languages of the wider world in higher education. While each language has its own particular needs, the conference aims to identify common issues in order to facilitate collaboration, raise the profile, and make the case for increased provision of languages of the wider world at HE level.
Programme
Day 1 is themed "Learning and Teaching Languages of the Wider World: Practitioner Perspectives". The format will be a series of seminars where practitioners can share and discuss good practice, present projects and initiatives, demonstrate resources, and network with colleagues.
Confirmed keynote speakers: Professor Richard Clément (University of Ottawa) and Dr Jim Anderson (Goldsmiths College, University of London)
Day 2 is themed "Responding to the Challenge of Linguistic Hyper-Diversity" and will feature papers by, and discussion with invited leading figures from the fields of languages and linguistics. Confirmed speakers include: Professor Mike Kelly (University of Southampton), Professor Tove Skutnabb-Kangas (University of Roskilde, Denmark), Professor Robert Phillipson (Copenhagen Business School) and Professor Michael Worton (UCL)
Call for papers
Proposals for short presentations are invited for the Day 1 seminars on any of the following themes relating to languages of the wider world in HE:
Curriculum and materials development (e.g. e-learning, pedagogical strategies, ab initio teaching, managing diverse ability/prior knowledge)
Course recognition and accreditation (including widening participation and outreach, transition from school to university, employability and career pathways)
Staff training and accreditation (e.g. maintaining staff morale, training opportunities, staffing succession in teaching and research)
Translation and interpreting (e.g., training, career pathways)
Presentations will be 10-15 minutes plus time for discussion. The working language of the conference will be English.
To submit a proposal, please complete the form and send to [log in to unmask] Deadline: Friday 2nd May 2008.
Conference website: http://www.llas.ac.uk/events/llaseventitem.aspx?resourceid=2936
Dr John Canning
Academic Coordinator
Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
University of Southampton
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8059 4814
Fax: +44 (0) 23 8059 4815
Forthcoming events from LLAS:
Intercultural Dialogue: The Way Forward, Bristol, 11-12 April
Life and work in academia: an event for new lecturers, 15 April, Cambridge
For details and more events visit http://www.llas.ac.uk/events
The Area Studies Network list is run by the Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, www.llas.ac.uk. LLAS is now a Subject Centre of the Higher Education Academy, www.heacademy.ac.uk
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