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*Please circulate widely* *Call for papers - Deadline: Friday 2nd May 2008* Languages of the Wider World: Valuing Diversity 15th - 16th September 2008, SOAS Conference website: http://www.llas.ac.uk/events/llaseventitem.aspx?resourceid=2936 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, 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 diverse languages and the establishment of initiatives such as Routes into Languages and the LWW-CETL. This conference will build on the momentum by showcasing the range of work being undertaken within 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 HE provision of languages of the wider world. 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). 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: 1. Curriculum and materials development (e.g. e-learning, pedagogical strategies, ab initio teaching, managing diverse ability/prior knowledge) 2. Course recognition and accreditation (including widening participation and outreach, transition from school to university, employability and career pathways) 3. Staff training and accreditation (e.g. maintaining staff morale, training opportunities, staffing succession in teaching and research) 4. 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 attached form and send to [log in to unmask] Deadline: Friday 2nd May 2008. --- Dr Shoshannah Holdom Academic Coordinator Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, School of Humanities (65A Crawford Building, Rm 3011), University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ Tel: 02380 599637 Fax: 02380 594815 http://www.llas.ac.uk/ 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