18th AFMLTA biennial conference, Darwin 2011: from the academic chair ...
Absalom, Matthew
My aim in putting together the program for the AFTMLA 18th biennia
conference --Enrich Consolidate Aspire--held in Darwin in July 2011 was
to achieve a balance between thought-provoking ideas and useful
instances of practice. I believe the presentations from more than 90
diverse speakers achieved this objective.
The conference canvassed a broad range of issues and covered all
major languages found in Australian education Research and practice from
all levels of schooling were presented and delegates came from a states
and territories of Australia. Asia (Indonesia, China, Singapore).
America, India. Europe (Ireland, Sweden), Russia, and the Middle East
[Qatar)--a stunning array and a testament to the importance of
discussions about languages in education.
The detailed evaluation of the conference has confirmed the
importance of the event as well as providing extremely useful feedback
on ways forward for future conferences.
I would once again renew my thanks to all those who participated in
the conference both presenters and delegates, and to those who worked
behind the scenes with me in designing and delivering an event which was
enriching, consolidated the significance of the AFMLTA's work for
the field of languages education in Australia and abroad, and provided
an aspirational benchmark for future conferences.
Matthew Absalom, Academic Chair
The University of Melbourne
