International conference a resounding success
Written by conference co-chairs Joanne White and Sara Kennedy, associate and assistant professors in Concordia's Department of Education.
As a quintessentially multilingual and multicultural city, Montreal was an ideal city to host the 11th International Conference of the Association for Language Awareness, and Concordia, where issues of language use and language accommodation are part of daily life, was a perfect venue.
From July 8 to 11, Concordia hosted 230 researchers, teachers, students, and members of the public to explore what we know about languages, culture, and how these function in our societies.
Some conference highlights were the four excellent keynote speeches from internationally renowned researchers, including Concordia’s own Distinguished Professor Emeritus Patsy Lightbown. The international character of the conference participants meant that the 126 presentations, colloquia and workshops, in English or French, covered issues of language and cultural awareness from such contexts as Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and North America.
Because of the financial support from the Association for Language Awareness, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Concordia University, the registration fees were waived for 13 scholars from developing countries and international and Canadian students. All 18 Concordia students who attended had their registration fees waived, as well as 17 student volunteers from other universities in Montreal.
Selected conference presentations will be published in a special issue of Language Awareness, an international journal available in multiple linguistic and educational databases. Until that time, conference participants will hold in their memories the thought-provoking presentations and discussions held, and the new contacts made with researchers and teachers from around the world.
As one participant said, “It was just a super conference. I don't know when I've enjoyed every single plenary at a conference. I attended lots of great paper presentations ... And everything was wonderfully organized.”
The conference was an amazing success from every perspective – the quality of the presentations, the facilities in the John Molson School of Business Building, and the organizational support we received from the university.
Related links:
• Department of Education
• Association for Language Awareness