Events

4 October 2023 - 9:00 am - 6 October 2023 - 5:00 pm
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Rooms: Bangkok, Thailand
Type: Cat VIII - Symposia
Arrangement type: In-Person

The seventh conference of the Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG) is poised to unite educators, linguists, researchers, policymakers, and language enthusiasts from the region and beyond. Join us for this esteemed event from 4-6th October 2023 at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

The organisers are preparing tirelessly to ensure this conference provides the most enriching experience for all participants. The event will include plenary and parallel sessions, exhibition spaces and great networking opportunities that will undoubtedly enrich your professional skills and expand your knowledge in the language and education field.

Be part of this transformative journey!

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Asia-Pacific Multilingual Education Working Group (MLE WG) has been organizing the International Conference on Language and Education series since 2003, followed by the high-level policy forum on MLE since 2013. These events offer a unique platform for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and development actors to exchange views, share good practices, and discuss experiences, focusing on Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) and broader language issues in sustainable development. The most recent 2019 conference had over 450 participants, including high-level government officials from 16 countries in the region. It resulted in the publication of key advocacy materials based on over 100 presented cases, supporting MTB-MLE implementation. During the 3rd high-level policy forum on MLE, the Bangkok Statement on Language and Inclusion was developed and endorsed by 16 countries in Asia and the Pacific, proposing specific action items for addressing language-related inequalities in education policies and practices in their respective nations.

THE THEME: “MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION FOR TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION SYSTEMS AND RESILIENT FUTURES”

The proven success of Multilingual Education (MLE) programmes in enhancing learning outcomes for multilingual learners has been overshadowed by resistance and international pressure to introduce global languages like English earlier in the curriculum, especially in mother-tongue based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) programmes. This contradicts the extensive evidence supporting the importance of strong foundational learning in students’ home languages, especially among young learners. Consequently, there is an urgent need for robust research, knowledge exchange, and collaborative efforts to address the intricate relationship between language and pressing educational issues, aiming to transform education systems and build resilience in the face of uncertainty. In light of this context, we are delighted to provide a platform to discuss strategies for improving multilingual learners’ entire learning journey, enhancing foundational learning for children with diverse language backgrounds, refining learning policies and methods, expanding access to quality education, and empowering school communities to navigate an ever-changing future.

The 7th edition will focus on the following key themes:

• Foundational learning in first languages
  • Addressing the learning crisis with positive outcomes of developing early grade literacy and numeracy through learners’ first languages in MLE
• Assessments for MLE learners
  • Formative and summative assessments capturing the complex learning outcomes of multilingual learners
• Teachers’ recruitment and professional development in MLE environments
  • Approaches to recruiting, training and deploying teachers to schools with multilingual learners, with emphasis on capacity building such as language skills, multilingual strategies and multigrade pedagogies
• Additive MLE models
  • Lifelong-learning approaches to developing and learning in first languages and how to introduce additional languages (community, regional, national and international languages)
• MLE programme evaluation
  • Data collection, monitoring and evaluation analysing the conditions and factors which contributed to an MLE programme producing positive results
• MLE developments
  • Updates from the field on current MLE practices at any level of education in contexts where learners have different first languages at local, national and/or subregional levels
• MLE policies
  • Updates on and comprehensive overview of national, sub-regional or regional policies impacting language-in-education practices in the Asia-Pacific region
• Digitalisation of MLE
  • Digital innovations and use of technologies in materials development, teacher training and virtual/hybrid delivery of MLE
• Inclusion in MLE
  • MLE practices on including learners who are vulnerable due to exclusionary factors such as gender, poverty, delays and disabilities, location, refugee/migrant status etc.
• MLE in crises and emergencies
  • Implementing MLE and mother tongue-based learning in crisis and emergency contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, displacement.
• Environment, climate change and MLE
  • Synergies between MLE and climate education in contributing to sustainable solutions for safeguarding languages and the environment
• Education and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
  • Non-dominant and indigenous languages, as well as local cultures and knowledges, in education

HIGHLIGHTS OF ATTENDING THIS CONFERENCE

• Inspiring Keynote Speeches: Prominent scholars and distinguished speakers will deliver enlightening keynote addresses, sharing their expertise and insights on language and education.
• Research Presentations: Attendees will have the opportunity to present their original research papers through the breakout presentations. This open forum encourages constructive feedback and valuable discussions.
• Exhibition Spaces: Several display tables will be available, providing partners and participants with hands-on experiences and practical tools to implement their work or expertise in one conference space.
• Networking Opportunities: The conference will facilitate networking among participants, enabling new connections and collaborations.

CONFERENCE VENUE: ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON HOTEL

Situated along the enchanting Chao Phraya River, the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel provides a breathtaking backdrop for our conference. Its modern facilities and luxurious amenities ensure attendees can focus on the conference content while enjoying a comfortable and rewarding stay.

DISCOVER BANGKOK

In addition to the rich discussions and presentations, participants will have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Bangkok, known for its rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landmarks, and delectable cuisine. With a myriad of temples, bustling markets, and the picturesque Chao Phraya River, Bangkok promises to be an enchanting backdrop for this international gathering.

https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/7th-international-conference-language-and-education-multilingual-education-transformative-education?hub=701