British Association for Applied Linguistics

 B.A.A.L. / Cambridge University Press  Seminar Programme 2015

The learning of foreign languages in primary schools in England: issues and challenges

18-19 March 2016, University of Essex

This two-day event will initiate an in-depth dialogue between researchers from a range of disciplines and practitioners. The aim is to investigate and report on fundamental issues raised by the introduction in September 2014 of foreign languages as a compulsory part of the National Curriculum in primary schools in England. It will focus on seven broad themes:

1. the role that age plays in the learning of foreign languages in the classroom;
   
2.  multilingual children in the foreign language classroom;
   
3. linguistic development and expectations in primary school age children;
   
4. pedagogy and teacher expertise for this age group;
   
5. curriculum models appropriate for young children;
   
6. cultural competence and intercultural understanding in young children;
   
7. the relationship between literacy, foreign language learning and wider academic achievement.

State of the art reviews on each of these themes will be presented by lead speakers, followed by discussion of current research findings, gaps in knowledge and research priorities. The seminar will conclude with a round-table discussion identifying a programme of action and setting up working groups, in collaboration with professional representatives.

Confirmed speakers: Nalini Boodhoo (University of East Anglia); Gbriele Budach (Université du Luxembourg); Louise Courtney (University of Reading); Patricia Driscoll (Canterbury Christ Church University); Suzanne Graham (University of Reading); Bernardette Holmes (Consultant/ Cambridge); Rowena Kasprowicz (University of York); Gee Macrory (Manchester Metropolitan University); Emma Marsden (University of York); Sally Maynard (York St John University); Jane Medwell (University of Nottingham); Rosamond Mitchell (University of Southampton); Carmen Muñoz (University of Barcelona); Victoria Murphy (University of Oxford); Florence Myles (University of Essex); Alison Porter (University of Southampton); Katherine Richardson (University of Nottingham); Karen Roehr-Brackin (University of Essex); Antonella Sorace (University of Edinburgh).

Places are limited to 30 participants, including two free places for research students; for further details, please visit:

www.essex.ac.uk/langling/research/ladeli/events.aspx. 

To register, email ladeli@essex.ac.uk

Centre for Research in LAnguage DEvelopment throughout the LIfespan (LaDeLi)

LaDeLi

Professor Florence Myles PhD, FHEA

Professor of Second Language Acquisition

Director, LaDeLi (Centre for Research in Language Development throughout the Lifespan)

Department of Language and Linguistics

University of Essex

T +44 (0)1206 872228

E fmyles@essex.ac.uk

► www.essex.ac.uk/people/fmyles

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