Back from the Big Smoke – A quick debrief after two days at the New Directions Conference

Devising, developing and maintaining a line-up of English Learning Support services that are relevant, engaging and good value for money takes careful consideration, academic insight and input from the cutting edge of educational innovation.

Hence, Dr Prue Goredema of the FernUni’s Centre for Learning and Innovation took part in the British Council’s New Directions Conference which was held in Berlin on 4 and 5 March.

The two-day conference, held under the theme “Transforming language learning and assessment: real-world communication in an increasingly digital age”, brought together leading experts, educators and policymakers from around Europe and beyond.

The event featured a series of thought-provoking keynote speeches. Professor Claudia Harsch of the University of Bremen delivered a presentation on the complexities of assessing integrated reading-into-writing skills, addressing the challenges faced by educators in evaluating this crucial aspect of language proficiency. Dr Mariano Felice’s keynote, “Through the looking glass: ethical reflections on AI in language learning and assessment”, explored the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in language education, sparking lively discussions among attendees.  Dr Felice is a Senior Researcher and Data Scientist for Language Assessment and Learning at the British Council whose work entails studies into how AI and natural language processing (NLP) can be used to improve computer-mediated learning and testing.

Professor Barry O’Sullivan OBE, Director of English Language Research at the British Council, delivered a keynote on “Context, communication and technology: the comprehensive learning systems of the future”, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of language education.

Language learning and teaching have undergone drastic changes in recent years.  What are the implications for learning and assessment?  Which tasks can we safely relegate to AI tools without risk of losing the cognitive vitality that arises from actively learning and using one’s intellectual resources?  What good practices might we develop in co-opting the burgeoning array of tools out there?  There was much to discuss at the conference, and many of the conversations will continue, just as the ideas continue to percolate.  Look out for more exciting programmes and services at studyFIT’s English Learning Support.