2014

The conference „Modern methodology and practices for teaching foreign languages: tradition and innovation“

 

The third international language conference “Modern methodology and practices for teaching foreign languages: tradition and innovation” was held at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences on 2 April, 2014. The conference offered many thought provoking ideas and different innovative approaches to language learning and teaching and brought together language researchers and teachers both from Estonia and abroad. Research results and experiences gained from teaching languages and practicing CLIL were shared. One of the topics also involved discussion about how the relationships between students and lecturers influence the study process and results. The language of the conference was English.

One of the topics discussed at the language conference of the EASS involved an illustration of how the study process of a modern learner is influenced by the relationship between a student and a lecturer. Teresa Jane McCarthy, a professor of English from Vilnius University, introduced a study research which suggests that a student may not be actively involved if he or she does not like the professor, if he/she feels that he/she does not get enough attention from the lecturer or his/her work is not valued enough. McCarthy gave an overview of the students’ need to be approached individually, how a situation like that has evolved, and how lecturers can make students be more efficient in their studies. According to McCarthy the lecturer/teacher of the 21st century has to develop with the learner and adjust himself/herself according to the modern learner.

The head of the language centre of the EASS, Elen Laanemaa, said that foreign institutions of higher education are becoming more and more interested in the work of the language centre of the EASS. “Every year there are more and more foreign partners taking part in the conference as presenters or regular participants, which means that interest in the approaches the language centre is offering is increasing among professionals outside from Estonia, too, which in turn makes our international cooperation with foreign institutions of higher education stronger.”

Ly Sari, the director of the personnel, was very positive about the conference of the language centre. “All facilitators were either native speakers or teachers of English, which made the presentations very enjoyable. The presenters were utterly professional, colourful and outstanding and the topics suitable for our context. The event is worth praise, and the language centre deserves real appreciation,” Sari said.

The plenaries and workshops were facilitated by language teachers from Vilnius University, Police Academy in Bucharest, Finnish Naval Academy, Estonian National Defence College, Narva College of the University of Tartu, Tallinn Health Care College, Saue Gymnasium and the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences.

 

International conference „Modern methodology and practices for teaching foreign languages: tradition and innovation“ 2 April 2014

09.00 - 09.30 Gathering, coffee

09.30 - 09.45 Opening - Rector of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Lauri Tabur

09.45 - 10.45 Plenary Session 1
Teresa Jane McCarthy (Vilnius University)
Millennials and Pedagogy: Why Approaches to Education Need to Change?

10.45 - 11.45 Plenary Session 2
Ileana Chersan (Police Academy, Bucharest)
Teaching Law Enforcement English vocabulary using alternative sources

11.45 - 12.45 Plenary Session 3
Sohvi Siponmaa ( The Finnish Naval Academy)
Teaching Foreign Language Oral Skills in a Military Culture.

12.45 - 13.45 Lunch

13.45 - 14.20 Workshops

1. The Testing of Reading: Assuring the Quality of Language Test Items. Merit Kompus, Gerli Kuhi, Marju Laurits (Estonian National Defence College) (workshop 13.30-14.20)
2. Using online professional language dictionaries to develop vocabulary. Elle Sõrmus, Kateriina Rannula (Tallinn Health Care College)

14.20 - 15.00 Workshops
3. Creativity through practice. Anu Tammeleht. (Saue Gymnasium)
4. Classical vs upgraded approach as a ground for creating forward-looking methods in learning? Silvia Luige (Estonian Academy of Security Sciences)

15.00 - 15.35 Workshops
5. How do we overcome personal and/or contextual barriers in the foreign language classroom? Teresa Jane McCarthy (Vilnius University)
6. Alternative methods in learning foreign languages. Kaia Tomson. University of Tartu, Narva College

15.35 - 15.45 Coffee break

15.45 - 16.10 Conclusions