Crossing frontiers: languages and the international dimension
The conference will be of interest to all those concerned with the learning and teaching of languages in higher education, both in the UK and internationally. It will also be of relevance to those involved in other sectors which border on higher education such as secondary schools, further and adult education. In a recent report commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills, a number of initiatives to address a diminishing national capacity in languages in the UK were proposed. These included the designation of certain modern languages as of strategic national importance, the development of institutional international policies (which explicitly include reference to languages), and a formal dialogue with professional bodies to develop professional accreditation of language and other internationally related HE courses. The report also recommended that, in order to widen and increase participation in language learning, better strategies needed to be developed to promote and support languages across sectors. This might be achieved through a more co-ordinated programme of outreach work with schools and colleges together with the provision of materials such as Languages Work to demonstrate the ways in which language learning can contribute to employability in a global market. Thus, this conference seeks to explore the ways in which these needs might be met both strategically and through the curriculum.Conference themes.Conference papers will be organised into the following themes.- Working across sectorsOutreach and widening participation Lifelong learning Stimulating demand for languages in higher education Widening participation and inclusion Promoting our subject areas Outreach with schools - The curriculumLess Widely Used and Less Taught Languages Qualifications and accreditation Independant learning Personal development plans Using Virtual Learning Environments The international dimension Issues in TESOL Collaborative learning Online tutorials Teaching Less Widely-Used and Less-Taught Languages Blended learning E-learning communities New methods of delivery Less Widely-Used and Less-Taught and Strategic Languages Translation and interpreting Language assistantships - Teacher educationInitial teacher training Supporting new teachers Teacher education