Extended deadline: BAAL Conference on Creativity in Language Learning and Teaching Research, September 2016

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Deadline extended to Monday 16 May 2016 

Invited Plenary Speakers: Prof Martyn Hammersley and Prof Teresa Cremin

The BAAL Language Learning and Teaching Special Interest Group and the IATEFL Research Special Interest Group invite you to a jointly organised one-day conference on Creativity in Language Learning and Teaching Research, to be held at the Open University, Milton Keynes on Friday 23 September 2016.

Creativity has become an increasingly popular concept in contemporary educational discourse in recent years (e.g., Craft, 2010; Sharp & Le Métais, 2000; Robinson, 2001, 2015). Its potential to foster original  thinking, enhance engagement and boost motivation means it has a central role to play in language learning and teaching (Maley & Peachey, 2015; Richards, 2013). The role of creativity has also been explored in respect of research processes (Anders & Walsh, 2009; Byron, 2009; Higgs et al., 2011; Mason & Dale, 2011; O’Leary, 2004).

The aim of this one-day conference is to explore the nature and role of creativity in research in the field of language learning and teaching and to share ideas about approaches that go beyond those more commonly used. Through a series of plenary talks, presentations and workshops, the conference will examine the following in relation to language learning and teaching research:

  • definitions of creativity
  • the facilitation of collaboration and interdisciplinarity with a particular focus on bringing together researchers and practitioners in the field
  • creativity in the development of research design including creative methods and methodologies
  • creative ways of disseminating research findings
  • creativity in researchers’ training, their practices and positioning
  • creative ways of using language in all aspects of the research process.

By bringing together researchers, teacher educators, teacher-researchers, students and practitioners from a range of disciplines and with different perspectives on the conference theme, the intention is to stimulate debate about the role that creativity can or perhaps should play in language learning and teaching research. The possibility of a post-conference publication will also be considered.

The organising committee invites proposals for:

  1. Presentations (of 20 minutes’ duration with 10 minutes’ discussion)
  2. Short stimulus  papers (of 10 minutes’ duration with 20 minutes’ discussion)
  3. Workshops (of 1 hour’s duration)

Proposals – which should be a maximum of 250 words long and accompanied by a short title and a 100-word bio note – should be emailed to creativity.research.llt@gmail.com by Monday 16 May 2016 (extended deadline).

Conference registration fees – including lunch:

  • BAAL members: £50
  • IATEFL members: £50
  • Non-BAAL members: £75
  • Non-IATEFL members: £75
  • Students – unwaged: £15

Conference website

The conference organisers:

Dr Lina Adinolfi (BAAL Language Learning and Teaching SIG Convenor)
Prof Sarah Mercer – Dr Daniel Xerri (IATEFL Research SIG Convenors)
Prof Regine Hampel – Dr Ursula Stickler (The Open University)

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