We are proud to announce the keynote speakers for the Professional Competencies in Language Learning and Teaching conference:

​

​

Bernardette Holmes MBE     Director of Speak to the Future, the National Campaign for Languages

​

Bernardette Holmes MBE has been actively involved in advising the DfE during the recent curriculum reform for modern languages. She is drafter of the new GCSE criteria in modern and ancient languages and subject content criteria writer for the new A Level. She has also recently been appointed to develop the Subject Content Criteria for AS/A Level in less-widely taught languages. Her current research interests are languages and employment and she is leading Born Global, a major policy research project, funded by the British Academy, engaging key stakeholders from employment and education in a radical rethinking of languages education. She has international experience in language policy profiling as a member of an expert panel for the Council of Europe and through research and development of Content and Language Integrated Learning. Bernardette is also Campaign Director of Speak to the Future, a national campaign to advance language capability in the UK and former President of the Association for Language Learning. She is a Bye-Fellow of Downing College, University of Cambridge.

​

Dr John Morley AULC chair and UNILANG Steering Committee

Dr John Morley is Director of the University-wide Language Programmes (LEAP) at the University of Manchester which involves the organisation and delivery of the courses in 18 different languages – ranging from Arabic to Urdu – to students, members of staff and members of the public. He currently serves as Chair of the Association of University Language Centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Before coming to Manchester John taught English in universities and schools in Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and Spain.

The UNILANG recognition scheme aims to help UK university students articulate and translate what their language learning outcomes mean in terms of the CEFR, and validate those CEFR learning outcomes through a reliable and standardised model of language learning certification. In his talk, John will explain the aims and scope of the scheme within the context of IWLP and the CEFR; explain how the scheme works; discuss the role of external examiners within the scheme; explain how a person can apply to become a UNILANG approved External Examiner.