There is still time to register for the 2018 BAAL/CUP seminar on “(In)Formal second language learning: Integrating informal practices into formal contexts”! It will be held at the University of Oxford Department of Education on August 23rd and 24th, 2018.

In this digital age, there are more opportunities for informal second language learning to take place than ever before: Learners can engage with their target language through social media, video games, films and television, music, and many other media. This two-day seminar will bring together researchers and teacher education practitioners to engage in critical and collaborative dialogue about the implications that research on informal second language learning — despite focusing on out-of-classroom practices — has for the teaching of second and foreign languages in general (and English in particular) in schools and universities. We hope to encourage future research in this area to consider more explicitly practice oriented approaches.

The programme features presentations by four keynote speakers, who are experts in the field of informal second language learning, as well as an interactive workshop, a panel discussion, and breakout discussion groups.  In the interest of promoting as much active discussion as possible among the participants, there are no additional slots for paper presentations, but all delegates are encouraged to share and discuss their work during the poster session on the second day!

More information about the seminar, the speakers, and how to register is available on our website: www.informall2learning.wordpress.com

There are also two scholarships available for postgraduate/early careers BAAL members who would otherwise be unable to attend. Scholarship holders will be able to attend the event without having to pay the registration fee (£40). We do not provide additional travel or accommodation subsidies for the sponsored scholar at the conference. If you would like to apply for this waiver, please contact henriette.arndt@education.ox.ac.uk.

We very much look forward to welcoming you at the event!

Henriette Arndt, Christina Lyrigkou & Dr Jess Briggs,
Event organisers