Cambridge University Press and the British Council are delighted to announce a joint event for teachers of English in Moscow.
Programme
- 15:30-16:00
Registration, book exhibition - 16:00-17:00
A talk by Ian Cook "What we can learn from ‘successful’ language learners" - 17:00-17:15
Break, book exhibition - 17:15-18:15
A talk by Ian Cook "Should grammar reference books be on the endangered species list?" - 18:15-18:30
Questions and answers
You can also join the online streaming of the event on Facebook.
There is no fee for this event. Certificates of attendance will be distributed at the end of the event.
Speaker
Ian Cook has worked in education for seventeen years, including five years as an English language teacher in Japan and the UK. He joined Cambridge in 2005, initially working in product management and then business development with Cambridge English Language Assessment, before moving over to Cambridge University Press in 2011. He currently works in the management team for Adult ELT publishing, which includes responsibility for courses such as Empower and Unlock, as well as the ever-popular Grammar in Use books. Ian has a particular interest in reference books, and the impact of digital publishing on print. He is CELTA qualified and holds a BA in English Literature and an MA in Applied Linguistics.
What we can learn from ‘successful’ language learners
For most language learners, time in the classroom and teacher-lead tuition is valuable but very limited. Whilst it may be possible to learn about a language in a limited number of classroom hours, communicating effectively in another language is for many a lifelong process, and much of the learning takes place outside of the classroom. This talk will explore what is meant by a ‘successful’ language learner, the kinds of characteristics that lead to success, plus resources and ideas for encouraging students of English to become independent learners.
Should grammar reference books be on the endangered species list?
The prevalence of free online resources and changing study behaviours suggest that the humble grammar reference book, like the print encyclopaedia, should be close to extinction. But is this really the case? Referring to research, articles and the new Russian edition of Essential Grammar in Use, this session will begin with an overview of current trends and expectations around grammar reference, presented in the context of the wider publishing industry. The second half of the talk will focus on simple, practical ways in which grammar can be practiced inside and outside the classroom, with or without digital resources.
