HUMANISING ASSESSMENT

Pre-Conference Event, Thursday, 22 September

Plenaries:

• Craig Dicker:
  The Realities of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF)
  
  The CEF presents dangers and opportunities for language educators across Europe . In this presentation, the principles of standards-referenced approaches to testing, curricula development and classroom instruction will be discussed. The implications of adopting such an approach and its impact on students and teachers will be outlined. The role the CEF can and should play in the process will be stressed.
  
  
• Annie Polatsek:
  Alternative Assessment: It's Not in Our Mentality
  
  How can new ideas like self and peer evaluation be introduced into the traditional system of number grades? There is bound to be resistance, yet it can it be overcome. Through attitude surveys, creating criteria and trying it out in the region, we'll share our experiences and try to convince you to try something alternative in your own course!

HUMANISING THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Conference Event, Friday, 23 September

Plenaries:

• Alenka Rebula:
  The Power of the Word (opening plenary)
  
  Words not only create mental, but even more so physical and emotional response in the learner. This plenary talk will introduce present-day perceptions of the power of the word and the inseparatibility of the thinking and feeling processes, paying special attention to the recent discoveries on the human brain. Consequently, languages can only be taught effectively if personal content is triggered in the learner and a desire to master the language as an important life skill is instilled.
  
  
• Rita Baker:
  Whose Language Is It Anyway?
  

  Many learners of English believe that they need mainly to increase the number of 'words' they 'know'. I argue that extending the uses of a core of key words and effective strategies is more time-efficient than extending the range of vocabulary. I suggest what words and strategies are essential for effective communication in an international context and the implications of this for teaching and learning.

HUMANISING THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

Conference Event, Saturday, 24 September

Plenaries:

• David A. Hill:
  The Challenge of the Indigo Children
  
  If you have been teaching for the last 20 years you may have noticed a radical change in the behaviour of the children you are now dealing with. Equally, if you have children of your own, their behaviour may be very different from that of you and your partner when you were their age. This is not just another "kids these days..!!" Generational issue. It seems that we are witnessing an evolutional change in human beings. Your pupils and your own children may be Indigo Children, and, as such, require a very different style of education and upbringing to the one which we have traditionally been offering. This plenary lecture will explore these issues.
  
  
• Clive Oxenden:
  'You must remember this.' Making new language memorable (closing plenary)
  
  One of the most important stages of a class is when we present new language to students. A good presentation should itself be memorable and help to make the target language easy to remember. To achieve this we need our students to be focused and involved, not with their heads in the book (perhaps not even looking at the right page!). This talk looks at ways of adapting and improving text book presentations to make them more effective, more relevant, more fun and above all. more memorable.