Call for Proposals

The 21st Language Centre Days 

will be organized at the University of Vaasa on 18th-19th May 2022 under the theme of

 

 

Finland is an ideal country for thinking about borders. Geographically positioned between Russia, Norway and Sweden, Finland is an intersection of several languages. Within Finland the official languages Finnish and Swedish intersect along with various languages such as the Sami languages across Lapland. Broadly construed, “Languages Across Borders” invites consideration of many borders that influence the teaching and learning of language and communication. Crossing borders in the 21st century requires language and communication skills in business and academia as well as effective communication using digital and new media tools.  Language is a bridge that unites us. From the perspective of Tahto—willful determination for action and Tila —the creation of situational spaces, the theme “Languages Across Borders” opens a path for conversation across borders in teaching, learning and collaborating in a global world. We encourage colleagues to share their experiences to inspire discussions about teaching, learning and collaboration across various types of borders, from the viewpoint of languages and communication.

 

Plenary speakers:

 

Gavin Furukawa, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan

The critical teacher in the real world: Situating conscious teaching within the existing language ideologies and their institutions

 

Maria Järlström, University of Vaasa & Rebecca Piekkari, Aalto University

Monikielisyys, diversiteetti ja inkluusio yliopistoissa: A challenge or opportunity for people management?

 

Mari K. Niemi, E2 Research & Joakim Strand

Kuinka rakentaa yhteisöllisyyttä monikielisessä ympäristössä? Exempel och reflexioner from the point of view of politics and university

 

Tanja Sihvonen, University of Vaasa

Rajallisuus voimavarana

 

Important dates

  • Deadline for submitting proposals is 28.1.2022 4.2.2022 (new deadline based on requests). Abstracts are to be submitted by email to the address kielikeskuspaivat@uwasa.fi. Include your name, proposal category and type of presentation (see alternatives below) in the abstract. You can submit your abstract in Finnish, Swedish or English, and it should be 250 words + 50 word summary. See more details below.
  • Decisions of acceptance 25.2.2022 at the latest.
  • PowerPoint used in the presentation should be sent to Vaasa on May 16th at the latest.
  • Early Bird registration and fees 28.2–8.4.2022.
  • If you participate on site in Vaasa the fee is 180 €, includes program, lunch and coffee both days
  • If you participate online the fee is 150 €, includes streamed program (plenary speeches and at least 50 % of the individual presentations)
  • After April 8th 2022 the fee is 200 € (the fee for translators’ Round table is not going to be changed)
  • Cancellation policy: if you cancel within the Early Bird registration period 50 % of the fee will be refunded. No refunds after that.
  • Registration and fees via the MIRA system, link opens February 28th 2022. All payments shall be done via MIRA and no separate invoices will be sent.
  • Binding registrations for the free Get together on May 17th and dinner (45 €) on May 18th also via the MIRA system. The amount of participants may be limited due to possible restrictions.
  • A list of hotels in Vaasa can be found here. NB! The hotels in the city centre are fully booked by 29.3., we have added some new alternatives on the list.

 

Types of Presentations and Proposals

For the programme the proposals are categorized as below. If your proposal strand is not listed, please list it under “other.”

  • Assessment of and for learning
  • Dimensions of collaboration
  • Diversity of study paths
  • Goals and forms of giving feedback
  • Languages at work
  • Diversity in teaching and learning
  • Strategy and quality work
  • Testing of language skills
  • Other

Please submit the proposal by email in Finnish, Swedish or English. The presentation can be held in another language, if supported with English slides or materials.

Please submit a 250 word proposal and a 50 word summary.

 

Presentation types

  1. Individual presentation: 25 min
  2. Lightning Talk: 7 min (60 min thematic sections with 6-7 presenters)
  3. Poster presentation: 30 min (central ideas presented on one visual document, place and time reserved for posters in the programme)
  4. Round Table Discussion: 60 min (chair and 2-4 facilitators, informal interactive workshop)
  5. Online presentation: 25 min

If the pandemic situation allows, the symposium will for the most part be held on site in Vaasa. We will however also be prepared to arrange a hybrid symposium.

 

Awards

The following categories will be awarded at the Language Centre Days:

  • Best Presentation Title
  • Best Poster Design
  • Best Language Story
  • Best Social Media Content during the Language Centre Days

Main page

Preliminary programme

Contact information