International English language experts to gather in Ningbo

Dozens of international English language experts will gather in Ningbo, Zhejiang, in November to share the latest research, including on how best to help non-native speakers learn and improve their English.

The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China (UNNC) is hosting a three-day conference which has attracted some of the world’s leading linguists and English scholars as speakers.

Delegates, who include teachers from Ningbo and the wider Zhejiang region, will be given the opportunity to delve into the details of new practical teaching methods, curriculum planning and materials development with the experts.

This is the second international English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in Asia conference. The theme builds on a growing emphasis on tailoring ESP programmes for the communities in which they are offered.

ESP areas in the spotlight at the conference will include: English in the classroom; English as the language of international business; and the role of English in science and technology.

Dr Derek Irwin, Deputy Head of English Language Studies at UNNC and the conference programme’s chair, said: “Delegates will consider sociolinguistic realities such as multilingualism and international variations of English.”

Also highlighted in papers are the variable professional and academic cultures and practices in Asia.

Academics from other disciplines will shed light on how linguistics can be applied to other areas. For example, UNNC computer science teaching fellow Dr John Woodward will talk about how English language teaching methods can be applied to training software programmers.

“The conference is focused on evolving English language environments and language teaching practices that are more effective both for individuals and for institutions,” said Dr Irwin.

Respected academics from top Chinese universities and research organisations are among the impressive line-up of speakers.
They include: Professor Gu Yueguo, head of contemporary linguistics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Tsinghua University’s Professor of English and Linguistics, Professor Fang Yan; Professor Winnie Cheng, of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s English department; and Professor Ken Hyland, applied linguistics and applied English studies authority at the University of Hong Kong.

Last year’s inaugural conference in Chongqing, China, attracted more than 300 delegates. More than 150 scholars have already registered for this year’s conference in Ningbo, which will be held from 11 to 13 November.

UNNC, as the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China, is a pioneer in international education and site of China’s largest English language programme for university students. English is the medium of instruction.

It was therefore the natural choice as venue for the next ESP conference, noted Mr Douglas Bell, Associate Professor and head of UNNC’s Centre for English Language Education.

Conference chair Dr Benedict Lin, a lecturer in applied linguistics and English studies at UNNC, said China can take the lead in English language teaching development and research.

“UNNC wants to play a role in this. The University is committed to sharing its excellence in education and producing world-changing research that taps into the challenges affecting societies around us,” said Dr Lin.

For more information on the conference, visit http://www.nottingham.edu.cn/conference/esp/|

Or contact:

Dr Derek Irwin, Deputy head of English Language Studies, The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, +86 (0) 8818520, Derek.IRWIN@nottingham.edu.cn; or Dr Benedict Lin, lecturer in applied linguistics and English studies, +86 (0) 88180573, Benedict.LIN@nottingham.edu.cn; Jackie Hadland, Communications Officer, The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China, +86 (0) 13429355876, Jackie.HADLAND@nottingham.edu.cn|.

Information for editors:
The University of Nottingham Ningbo, China was the first Sino-foreign university established in China. It has grown its student population from less than 300 when it opened its doors in 2004 to about 4,500. The University of Nottingham also has campuses in the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.

The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's “only truly global university”, it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia.

Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.