Dec. 13, 2024 - Dec. 15, 2024
https://costlang24.wixsite.com/costlang24-1
The conference aims to unveil the actual language policy followed in Europe concerning the teaching of foreign languages, in comparison to the official statements made by European institutions and countries regarding the adoption of a multilingual and plurilingual policy. Particular attention will be given to foreign languages that, despite the economic-commercial and socio-cultural needs of their contexts, are not promoted in many countries.
Language policies are closely tied to the social priorities and needs emphasized by a state, as well as to the trends and demands of the supranational political and economic structures it belongs to. In many European countries, foreign language education has often been driven by policies that prioritize a single language, neglecting the economic, cultural, and social realities of the local context.
The example of languages like Italian, perceived as weaker compared to others such as English, highlights the impact of the language policies adopted in Europe after World War II. Despite economic ties, cultural exchanges, and ongoing interactions between European nations, both local and European policies have continued to promote the learning of so-called strong languages, thereby imposing specific linguistic demands on their citizens.
This conference is motivated by the disconnect between social reality and both local and European language policies. It seeks to inform participants about the economic, political, cultural, and linguistic factors that favor—or even necessitate—the teaching of languages not actively promoted by the EU, such as Italian, and the need for their institutional support.
Submission instructions:
Individuals who wish to present a paper are invited to submit an abstract in either Italian, Greek or English, from 300 to 500 words (Calibri 11, line spacing 1,2, justified), excluding the bibliography (APA 7th edition), by September 30, 2024. The abstract, including the bibliography and any accompanying figures, should not exceed 2 pages in A4 format. Please add also up to 5 keywords and indicate the specific topic of your study among:
- The Economic Dimension: The relationship between economic relations among European countries (exports-imports, companies operating in various European countries, tourism exchanges) and their policy on the teaching of foreign languages.
- The Linguistic-Sociolinguistic Dimension: The number of students studying European languages, quantitative and qualitative data on certification systems, relationships between languages (dialects and idioms derived from other languages).
- The Political Dimension: The trajectory of foreign language teaching in Public Education, the reciprocity of foreign language teaching in European countries based on agreements among them.
- The Cultural Dimension: Historical, literary, and artistic contacts between countries.
Abstracts will be blindly peer-reviewed by an international panel of reviewers.
Submissions open: Aug. 1, 2024 - Oct. 13, 2024
Abstract review period: Oct. 1, 2024 - Oct. 18, 2024