* Modern foreign languages and middle management is the theme of a conference for heads (or aspiring heads) of departments being run by Bilingualism, Languages and Education Network at Hughes Parry Hall, London University, 19-26 Cartwright Gardens, London WC1 on June 30.
Topics include an update on the Teacher Training Agency subject leader national qualification, information technology and modern languages, making a successful bid for a departmental budget, and time management and effectiveness. Fee: pound;70. The Network is also running a multi-literacies conference on November 25, fee: pound;68. Details: BLEN, 9 Alexandra Gardens, London N10 3RN, telfax: 0181 883 0237; e-mail: blen378@hotmail.com; web site: www.rmlplc.co.ukorgsblen * Straight As: the A-level languages show, a Centre for Information on Language Teaching conference and exhibition for teachers will be held at Imperial College, London SW7, on July 4. It will focus on students’ need to develop language learning and study skills. Some sessions will be given in French, German and Spanish. Fee: pound;90, pound;80 subscribers. Details: CILT Conferences, 20 Bedfordbury, London WC2N 4LB, tel: 0171 379 5101 ext 229231; e-mail: confs.direct@cilt.org.uk * Share the experiences of the new language colleges at a CILT conference on July 15 entitled Flying high! Modern foreign languages in the specialist language colleges. Venue: West of England University, Bristol. Topics include improving motivation and raising achievement, diversification and the introduction of lesser taught languages, and teaching other subjects and languages simultaneously. Fee: pound;90, pound;80 subscribers. Details as above.
* Beginners’ courses on IT and modern languages: from old tech to new tech are being run by CILT at Trinity and All Saints Comenius Centre, Leeds, June 26 and 27, and University of North London, July 9. An advanced course will be held at UNL on July 13. Details as above.
* Challenge Educational Services specialise in the provision of French courses and gap year opportunities in language schools and universities in France. Intensive courses on offer include A-level exam revision in Bordeaux at Easter and spring and summer half terms, summer courses for those returning to upper sixth study and full academic year courses for gap year students. Details: Challenge Discovery and Educational Services Ltd, 101 Lorna Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 3EL.
* The Association for Language Learning is running the following inservice training courses: German day, Goethe-Institut, London, July 4; Italian weekend, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, October 10-11; Spanish and Portuguese weekend, Cable and Wireless College, Coventry, November 7- 8. An Asian languages weekend is planned for early 1999. Day courses cost pound;60, pound;40 members; weekend courses from pound;100. Details: Catherine Penny, ALL, 150 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HN, tel: 01788 546443.
