Professional Competencies in Language Learning and Teaching

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures and the Confucius Institute of the University of Nottingham are co-organising the conferene Professional Competencies in Language Learning and Teaching that will bring together researchers, practitioners, employers and experts working on the relation between 21st century professional competencies and language education. This two-day conference welcomes research papers as well as presentations of case studies and projects on innovative ways of integrating professional competencies into the teaching and learning of Modern Languages at University, including English as a Foreign Language and Chinese as a Foreign Language.

KEYNOTE:

We are proud to announce the keynote speakers for the Professional Competencies in Language Learning and Teaching conference:

Bernardette Holmes MBE

Director of Speak to the Future, the National Campaign for Languages

Bernardette Holmes MBE has been actively involved in advising the DfE during the recent curriculum reform for modern languages. She is drafter of the new GCSE criteria in modern and ancient languages and subject content criteria writer for the new A Level. She has also recently been appointed to develop the Subject Content Criteria for AS/A Level in less-widely taught languages. Her current research interests are languages and employment and she is leading Born Global, a major policy research project, funded by the British Academy, engaging key stakeholders from employment and education in a radical rethinking of languages education. She has international experience in language policy profiling as a member of an expert panel for the Council of Europe and through research and development of Content and Language Integrated Learning. Bernardette is also Campaign Director of Speak to the Future, a national campaign to advance language capability in the UK and former President of the Association for Language Learning. She is a Bye-Fellow of Downing College, University of Cambridge.