'Is the world our oyster? Languages for life'
CILT’s Summer Conference for teachers and managers of adult languages in adult and further education took place on Wednesday July 8th 2009 at the Institut Français, London.

This years summer conference gave teachers and managers of language programmes the opportunity to come together to consider the way forward for adult language learning, given the challenges and opportunities posed by government policy and funding. Plenary panel sessions with keynote speakers led the debate.

In addition, a range of workshops on new initiatives, teaching methodologies and resources provided colleagues with the opportunity to update, network and share good practice and experience. The conference exhibition showcased the latest resources and delegates were able to tour the library of the Institut français.

Download the PowerPoint presentations from the plenary sessions:

Plenary panel 1: The 'challenges and opportunities' - with speakers on funding and structure changes, policy and quality as they relate to adult language learning.

• Peter Lavender Deputy CEO NIACE - The implications of the' Learning Revolution', the government White Paper on informal adult learning (947kb)
• Jill Szutenberg Ofsted, HMI Ofsted -  Identifying good practice in languages in colleges (29kb)
• Christina Conroy OBE, Principal & CEO Richmond Adult Community College - The impact of new funding and planning arrangements for adult learning (179kb)

Plenary panel 2: Perspectives of providers of adult language learning from around the country and their solutions for the future.

• Marco Macchitella – City Lit, London (6693kb)
• Nati Knight – Brasshouse Centre, Birmingham (883kb)
• Elspeth Wardrop - Bolton Community College & North West Network (807kb)

The conference was organised by CILT, the National Centre for Languages in partnership with the Institut français and sponsored by LSIS.