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Internationalisation a growing priority for higher education institutions worldwide

The UK Higher Education International Unit (IU) has reported on the growing importance of internationalisation for higher education institutions across the world. Reporting on recent research undertaken by the International Association of Universities (IAU) in 1,336 institutions from 131 different countries, they note that 53 per cent of higher education institutions now have an internationalisation policy/strategy with another 22 per cent reporting that they are preparing one. Continue reading →

Interview with David Crystal at the IATEFL conference

The PIE News interviewed David Crystal last week at the 2014 IATEFL conference on the subject of English as the world’s lingua franca now and in the future. In the interview, Crystal discusses his views on themes including the influence of English worldwide, the growth in English-medium instruction in non-Anglophone universities and the role of technologies in the evolution of language learning. To read the interview in full, visit the PIE News website. Continue reading →

Computer coding found to be more in demand than languages

The Guardian has reported on a recent survey, which found that the majority of British adults think that computer coding should be prioritised over modern languages for teaching in schools. Of the 2,002 survey participants, coding was the top choice for 52%. To read the article in full, visit the Guardian website. Do you think that computer coding or modern languages will be more important for children to learn at school? Share your views with us. Continue reading →

Is it possible to learn a language with just a smartphone?

The Guardian has reported on the progress of an online language learning challenge that it recently launched, in which it is following the progress of a self-proclaimed ‘tech lover’ who is trying to learn Spanish using just a smartphone. Alan Haburchak has swapped games for language learning during his daily commute and is using the DuoLingo app to try to learn Spanish in just six weeks. Find out more about the challenge on the Guardian website. Continue reading →

Language Learning In and Out of the Classroom: A one day symposium

A one day symposium to celebrate the academic career of Professor Rosamond Mitchell will take place on 18 June 2014. The symposium will pay tribute to Ros’s achievements in the fields of Education and Applied Linguistics over the past 40 years. The event will include an overview of Ros’s career by Professor Florence Myles, a series of talks on the theme of foreign language teaching and learning and a round table discussion about the future of language learning and teaching. Continue reading →

Plenary session by David Graddol at IATEFL conference

David Graddol, Director of the English Company (UK) Ltd, gave the IATEFL conference plenary session yesterday, in which he examined the economic benefits that English brings. In his session, Graddol critically explored the role English now plays in relation to the economy and the implications of this for educational policy. To watch the recorded presentation in full, visit the IATEFL website. Continue reading →

Chineasy: A new method for learning Chinese

The Independent has reported on a new image-led dictionary called ‘Chineasy’ that has recently been launched by Taiwanese entrepreneur ShaoLan Hsueh. Chineasy is aimed at learners of all ages and uses a building-block principle, which helps learners become familiar with the base characters using fun, eye-catching designs and then combine them to create more complex words and simple phrases. To read more about Chineasy, visit the Independent website. Continue reading →