Conference Programme
Plenary SpeakersProf Rebecca Hughes
Opening Plenary Professor Rebecca Hughes has joined the British Council Director of International Education after a career working extensively in international Higher Education and English Language and Linguistics. Rebecca’s experience of transnational Higher Education includes being the first Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Internationalization at the University of Sheffield and, at the University of Nottingham, running a department delivering UK degrees and English language support services in Malaysia and China. Professor Hughes has published widely on her personal research interest of spoken language and given presentations on this topic at a number of international conferences. Read more Abstract: Navigation in a complex world: English as compass or map?
Those who work with international students to help them prepare for studies in the medium of English are working in an increasingly complex, mobile and connected world. HESA statistics show that it was around 2011 that the numbers of international students undertaking a UK degree outside the British Isles started to outstrip those taking one on our shores. These numbers continue to rise steeply. Simultaneously increasing numbers of international institutions are starting to teach in the medium of English; and the teaching of English in primary and secondary schools has strengthened language skills of young people dramatically in key markets for UK institutions. This talk examines these phenomena in more detail and asks what the role of those supporting students in their journey towards a successful completion of their degree might become in future if we extrapolate from these trends. Dr Catherine Walter
Saturday Plenary Catherine Walter is a lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Oxford, having taught English to speakers of other languages, trained language teachers and written award-winning English language textbooks for 25 years before becoming a full-time teacher educator and researcher. Catherine is a National Teaching Fellow and is also Chair of the British Council’s English Language Advisory Group and a member of the BAAL/LAGB Committee on Linguistics in Education. Her research interests are in the cognitive aspects of second language acquisition and performance, in language teacher education and in second language academic performance. Abstract: Listening and reading in L2 academic contexts: what do we know now, and what can we do about it?
There is now a substantial body of knowledge about what happens when second language listeners and readers encounter academic texts. I will review research in this area, reflect on what kinds of skills are involved, and invite colleagues to reflect on what this means for EAP materials and classroom practice Prof Ken Hyland
Closing Plenary - Sponsored by Collins Ken’s primary research interests lie in written discourse analysis, particularly in academic context. These interests are closely connected with his work in developing the academic literacy of graduate students and in teacher education. He is currently Director of the Centre for Applied English Studies at The University of Hong Kong where he holds a personal chair in Applied Linguistics. He is currently co-editor of Applied Lingusitics Journal, an Honorary Professor at the University of Warwick and a Foundation Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities. His most recent research interests are on academic identity and academic publishing. Read more. Abstract: Innovating instruction: specificity and English in the disciplines
In 2012 Hong Kong reformed its educational system by removing a year from students’ school experience and adding it to their time at university. At Hong Kong University we took this opportunity to reconsider the English that we taught and redesign our courses to focus on “English in the Discipline”. This recognizes that disciplinary variations in communicative conventions are at the heart of EAP and involves identifying the particular language features and discourse practices of target groups. In this presentation I discuss something of this process and the principles of disciplinary specific language, highlighting research which supports a specific view of teaching. |
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GALA EVENING Evening events are an opportunity to relax and expand your network in a friendly and enjoyable way. Join other conference delegates for a special dinner and pub quiz on Saturday at Athena Leicester. Please see the registration options for more information. |