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Language Learning, Page 5

The case for more practical language teaching in schools

According to a recent Guardian article, increasing numbers of school teachers believe that language teaching in schools needs to become more practical if student engagement and motivation with language learning are to be sustained. This is particularly the case currently in primary education where teachers are faced with the challenges of implementing a new curriculum of compulsory language teaching. To read the article in full, visit the Guardian website. Continue reading →

CLLEAR Seminar: Dr Roger Barnard, University of Waikato

Centre for Linguistics, Language Education and Acquisition Research (CLLEAR) Seminar Language Learner Autonomy: Asian perspectives Dr. Roger Barnard, University of Waikato 5.00-7.00pm Wednesday 22nd October 2014, Lecture Theatre C (Avenue Campus) Abstract: Developing language learner autonomy has been discussed and applied in many contexts for more than thirty years. Continue reading →

UK language festival launched today

The Guardian has reported on the launch of the UK’s second annual national Language Festival, which aims to celebrate cultural diversity and build on the growing momentum behind language learning in the UK. The festival, which starts today, will include a variety of events, online Q&As and a social media campaign, and aims to unite students, teachers and the wider community in discussions about the benefits of a multilingual society. Continue reading →

AHRC Network grant success

Professor Roumyana Slabakova has secured funding of £42,800 from the AHRC for the Meaning in Language Learning Network, in collaboration with Dr. Heather Marsden (York). The network will create a new forum for dialogue among language learning experts and stakeholders. It includes 18 participants in the UK and 4 international members from Europe and the US. The programme includes 3 workshops, focus groups, a conference colloquium, and outreach activities. Continue reading →

Free language courses for new Southampton students

This academic year, the University is offering all new students the chance to study a language for free through a new scheme called the Southampton Language Opportunity. This scheme will enable students interested in language study to choose from a range of languages and types of course to undertake alongside their degree programme. Further information about the Southampton Language Opportunity can be found on the Modern Languages website, or by emailing languageopportunity@southampton.ac.uk. Continue reading →

British Council event for the European Day of Languages

The British Council is organising an evening event on 26 September on the European Day of Languages to celebrate language diversity and language learning in UK schools. ‘Every learner a language learner, every teacher a language teacher’ will be an occasion for a primary school and a secondary school with outstanding practice in EAL, MFL, CLIL and community languages to share with us their approach and work in these areas and to demonstrate how it greatly benefits their learners. Continue reading →

New Modern Languages MOOC nearing launch

Staff from Modern Languages at Southampton are preparing to launch a new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled ‘Understanding Language: Learning and Teaching’, which will run over four weeks from 17th November to 12th December 2014. The course, which already has 8,000 subscribers, will introduce participants to the field of second language learning, consider language classrooms and the role of teaching in language learning, and explore the uses of technology in teaching. Continue reading →

Learning a language can increase the size of your brain

The Guardian has published an article discussing recent research undertaken by scientists at Lund University in Sweden, which has shown that learning a language can increase the size of your brain. The researchers used brain scans on adult military recruits learning Arabic, Russian or Dari intensively to monitor changes in the brain during the language learning process. To read more about the research, visit the Guardian website. Continue reading →