Global Language Convention

By Bobbi Kay, Assistant Executive Director, Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE)

The 2008 Global Language Convention, hosted by the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE), provided an international forum for stimulating discussions on dual and multi-language and culture acquisition in today’s schools. Over 350 language educators from every part of the globe gathered at Atlanta International School, Atlanta Georgia, April 17 to April 20 for the weekend-long conference.

Each morning began with motivating speeches by BBC News Correspondent Ms. Katty Kay, author and Professor of Education at the University of Wales, Bangor, Dr. Colin Baker, and language enthusiast and Senior Research Associate for the National Foreign Language Center, Dr. Myriam Met. Following the key-note speeches, conference participants attended featured school presentations and several practical workshops on classroom curriculum and activities.

The eight featured schools showcased at the convention, selected because of their unique practices and implementation of language-immersion programs, included Atlanta International School (USA), Benowa State High School (Australia), Chinese International School (China), Concordian International School (Thailand), Dillon Valley Elementary School (USA), Escuela Lomas Altas (Mexico), Katoh Gukuen (Japan), and St. George’s College (Argentina).

A student panel featuring seven multi-lingual high school students from metro-Atlanta schools was a conference highlight. These students shared with conference attendees the personal impact their language-learning experience has had on them and how they hope to use those skills in the future. One conference attendee noted that these students were “the pride of their teachers and the envy of many in the audience.”

Another conference favorite was the Job-Alike Roundtable Discussions, a networking opportunity for individuals in like-positions to merge and discuss their roles in language education.

All in all, the 2008 Global Language Convention was, as one attendee put it, “a professional learning experience with everything to offer -- great networking opportunities, comfortable surroundings, excellent, informative sessions, inspiring, funny and informative keynotes from recognized experts in the field, good food and coffee, and even a foray into local culture.”