Currently browsing tag

Language Learning, Page 7

Celebrating Professor Rosamond Mitchell’s academic career at the ‘Language Learning In and Out of the Classroom’ symposium

Staff and students from Modern Languages at Southampton will be amongst participants at a symposium on Wednesday 18th June 2014 entitled ‘Language Learning In and Out of the Classroom’. The symposium will celebrate the academic career of Professor Rosamond Mitchell, paying tribute to her dedication and many achievements in the fields of Education and Applied Linguistics over the past 40 years. Continue reading →

Learning a language has a positive effect on the brain

The BBC has reported on recent research showing that learning a second language ‘slows brain ageing’. The study undertaken by researchers from the University of Edinburgh used data from intelligence tests on 262 individuals at the age of 11, and looked at how their cognitive abilities had changed when tested again in their seventies. This research follows on from another recent study which showed that being bilingual could delay the onset of dementia. Continue reading →

Brazilian language students learn English online with retirees

The Independent has reported on a scheme in a Brazilian language school, which is helping students to improve their English by linking up with elderly Americans online. Some unlikely friendships have developed between the young Brazilian learners and the American retirees, many of whom live lonely lives in retirement homes. To find out more about the scheme, read the full article on the Independent website. Continue reading →

CLLEAR seminar: ‘The loci of inherent variability: what young children reveal’

The next Centre for Linguistics, Language Education and Acquisition Research (CLLEAR) seminar will take place on Wednesday 14th May 2014 at 5.00pm in Lecture Theatre C, Avenue Campus. The talk is entitled: ‘The loci of inherent variability: what young children reveal’ and will be delivered by Dr. Jennifer Smith from the University of Glasgow. Continue reading →

Graduates need better language skills to get top UK jobs

The International Business Times has reported that graduates could miss out on securing top roles in UK companies if they fail to improve their language skills. According to experts, the article reports, British businesses are at a major disadvantage in terms of marketing and sales across national borders in comparison to international competitors whose employees are multilingual. Continue reading →

CLLEAR seminar: ‘Researching task-based language teaching: A focus on task-based processes’

The next Centre for Linguistics, Language Education and Acquisition Research (CLLEAR) seminar will take place on Wednesday 30th April at 5.00pm in Lecture Theatre C, Avenue Campus. The talk is entitled ‘Researching task-based language teaching: A focus on task-based processes’ and will be delivered by Dr. Andrea Revesz from the Institute of Education, University of London. 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 →

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 →