The LangSkills project final conference
About the conference
We are happy to invite you to join us for the project closing conference organized by the LangSkills project partnership. The aim of the conference is to create a forum for a dialogue, exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of (sign) language teaching and learning.
We wish to engage participants in discussions on a wide range of topics on foreign language education of learners with a hearing loss and on the chances and challenges of engaging Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing students in internationalization activities such as taking part in international mobility programmes, student conferences and attending instruction in foreign languages.
The conference is built around three main sessions:
- Teaching foreign languages to Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing learners
- Over to you: Students' Voices
- Inspiring Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing people
Let's connect and get together staying safe and healthy at the same time.
Time and place
When: Wednesday 24th June 2020 10:00–18:00
Where: online – platform to be specified shortly
You will be sent a link to join the virtual meeting space ahead of the conference.
Targeted audience
The conference provides space for learning and sharing for various interest groups:
- students with hearing loss who learn a foreign language
- language teachers who work with students with hearing loss
- staff of higher education support centres
- staff of international offices
- members of deaf clubs, deaf organizations and
- anyone interested in the area of ELT for persons with hearing loss
The LangSkills project
This conference is organized as part of the LangSkills project (Language Skills of Deaf Students for EU Mobility) funded by the European Union. The partnership of the LangSkills project has set themselves the objective to work together and combine their knowledge, experience and resources in order to improve the quality of foreign language education for Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing students in higher education and to increase their chances of joining mobility programmes.
Learn more about the project, its mission and outputs here.
Programme at a glance
| 10:00–10:15 |
Opening session: Welcome & Introduction to the LangSkills project |
|
10:15–11:30
|
Session 1
|
| 11:30–12:15 |
Break & Audience questions and comments |
| 12:15–12:45 |
Answering the questions |
|
12:45–14:00
|
Session 2
|
| 14:00–14:45 |
Break & Audience questions and comments |
| 14:45–15:15 |
Answering the questions |
|
15:15–16:15
|
Session 3
|
| 16:15–17:00 |
Break & Audience questions and comments |
| 17:00–17:30 |
Answering the questions |
| 17:30–17:45 |
Hands Dance online performance (Introduction, Bohemian Rapsody, Hrdinský čin) |
| 17:45–18:00 |
Conference closure |
* Note 1 on attached videos: These are interpretations of written and spoken text into International Sign.
** Note 2: The LangSkills project was funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme (KA2). The contents of these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.
Click
on the link to view or download the programme in PDF.
Conference sessions
Session 1
Teaching foreign languages to deaf and hard of hearing learners
The presentations focus on preparing students with hearing loss for success in the current world by raising their foreign language competences. The presentations include the outcomes of the project work:
- the results of the research into (sign) language learning and usage of the Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing in connection with university studies and realization of international mobilities;
- the set of methodology materials for teachers of English for learners with hearing loss;
- the Online English for International Mobilities e-learning course;
- the e-learning course of British Sign Language.
Session 2
Over to you: Students’ Voices
In this session we would like to provide space for the learners to express their thoughts, views and feelings about learning and teaching (sign) foreign languages, meeting internationally, their motivation to learn languages and getting to know different values, mentalities and lifestyles.
The speakers in this session are the students who took part in the project learning activities and who come from the partner countries of the LangSkills project.
Session 3
Inspiring Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing persons
In this session, three notable D/deaf and hard of hearing persons wish to inspire D/deaf and hard of hearing language learners to get motivated (or stay motivated) to learn new languages and cultures and to achieve their learning goals.
The invited speakers are Mark Wheatley, the executive director of the European Union of the Deaf (EUD), and Liisa Halonen, the secretary general of the European Union of the Deaf Youth (EUDY). The invited speakers are going to share with us their outlook on the ways opening our minds to different cultures and learning opportunities can help opening up people's future, either culturally, economically as well as socially.
A special talk will be dedicated to the notable Brno personality, Dr. Mojmír Švábenský (1924–2002), a Czech archivist, historian, and winner of the 1st Deaf World Chess Championship, whom we would like to honour on this occasion and remember his legacy.
Besides their professional and language learning accomplishments, Liisa, Mark and Mojmír provide unique examples of what it may mean to be Deaf in a world full of words.
Culture event
Hands Dance online performance
We are glad that the members of the Hands Dance group are going to take part in our conference. Hands Dance is a group of deaf and hearing interpreters based in Brno, Czech Republic, specializing in sign language interpreted theatrical and musical performances.
Watch some of their videos on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D14e33WIDQo.
Conference fee
The event is free of charge.
Registration
To register for the conference please click the link.
Conference languages
The conference languages are English and International Sign.
Interpreting into English and International Sign is available.
Speech to text reporting in English and interpeting into Czech Sign Language are provided as well.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please contact the organizers at langskills@teiresias.muni.cz.
Report
click here for PDF
Gallery