“Writing in the primary school: making a difference” is the theme of the English Association’s English 4-11 conference for primary teachers at The Lowry Centre, Salford, June 16. Speakers include Dominic Wyse, Liverpool John Moore’s University, on “Writing wrongs: primary teachers and children reclaiming the English curriculum”. Fee: pound;50, pound;40 members. There will also be a conference on “Making A2 Work” at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, October 6, covering contextual influences and the role of language in literature of the new A2. Fee: pound;75, pound;49.50 members.EA, Leicester University, LE1 7RH.Tel: 0116 252 3982. E-mail: engassoc@le.ac.uk Web: www.le.ac.ukengassocconf.html
“Picturing literacy”, a conference organised for key stage 2-3 teachers by Film Education, will explore ways in which visual elements such as the moving image, picture books, art, photography and information and communications technology are successfully used to teach literacy. It will be held on June 19 at the Tate Modern, London SE1. Speakers and workshop leaders include Gunther Kress, London Institute of Education, Prue Goodwin, Reading Literacy Centre, and Paul Higgins, National Literacy Strategy. Fee: pound;80. Delegates will be able to enter their students into a competition to receive a free educational visit to The Tate and a free film screening. Details: Film Education, Alhambra House, 27-31 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H OAU, Tel: 020 7976 2291. E-mail: postbox@filmeducation.orgWeb: www.filmeducation.org
“Just imagine: teaching and delighting in imaginative writing” is the theme of the next National Association for the Teaching of English Cmyru regional conference. Aimed at teachers, teacher trainers and advisers, it will be held at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells, July 9. Seminars include: teaching imaginative writing at key stage 3-4 (Jeff ilkinson); writing poetry at key stage 3-4 (Jude Brigley); writing poetry at key stage 1-2 (Cliff Yates); and putting the creativity back into English with information and communications technology (Trevor Millum). Fee: pound;60, pound;50 members. Liz Hinkley or Ann Guy, Powys Education Department, tel: 01597 826713. E-mail: lhinkley@powys.gov.uk
The United Kingdom Reading Association’s 37th international conference will be held at Canterbury Christ Church University College, July 6-8. Called “Just let me think”: reflecting on language learning, it will explore thinking through language, interaction and pedagogy, creativity and imagination. Speakers include Professor Ron Carter, Nottingham University, on “Is there such a thing as spoken literacy?”; Professor Charles Desforges, Exeter University, on learning, thinking and classroom work; Geoff Williams, Sydney University, Anthony Browne, author and illustrator, and Berlie Doherty, author and poet. Workshops include thinking skills, the semiotics of picture books, and gender and writing. There will be more than 80 parallel sessions offering research reports, seminars and workshops. Fee: pound;370, pound;350 members; day rate: pound;80, pound;70 members. Details: Jan Lowe, tel: 01963 220 490. E-mail: jelowe471@aol.com
The Association is also running a research day at the same venue on the making and meaning of texts, July 5, suitable for language and literacy co-ordinators in schools, teacher trainers and other education professionals. Participants include Morag Styles, Homerton College, Cambridge. Contact Jan Lowe as above.
The London Association for the Teaching of English will be holding a residential weekend, July 13-15. John Wilkes, St Paul’s Way Community School, Shelmerdine Close, Bow E3 4AN. Tel: 020 7987 1883. E-mail: johnwilkes@late.org.uk Web: www.late.org.ukconferences.html
