Editor for this issue: Erin Steitz <ensteitzlinguistlist.org>
Mind the Gap: Language Development is Key for Inclusive Education and Wellbeing
Date: 26-Mar-2025 - 27-Mar-2025
Location: British Academy, London, United Kingdom
Contact: Maria J. Arche
Contact Email: [email protected]
Meeting URL: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/british-academy-conferences/mind-the-gap-language-development-is-key/
Linguistic Field(s): Applied Linguistics; Clinical Linguistics; Forensic Linguistics; Language Acquisition; Psycholinguistics
Language skills are crucial to our lifelong wellbeing and educational attainment. However, around 10% of children face language difficulties, either on their own (Developmental Language Disorder) or in tandem with other diagnoses. Autism, learning disabilities, deafness and hearing loss often hinder language development. Growing up with multiple languages may also lead to differences in language development and education challenges. Importantly, language needs are too often not identified, particularly in older children and adolescents. This is due to insufficient knowledge of language development for children in this age bracket, exacerbated by insufficient communication across disciplines and services. As a result of this lack of support, these needs can lead to limited educational fulfilment, behavioural challenges, school dropouts or exclusions, mental health struggles, unemployment, or even involvement with the justice system.
This conference will set the agenda to increase understanding of language development during late childhood and adolescence across populations. By connecting knowledge across disciplines, it aims to raise awareness amongst policy makers and wider society about the urgent need to improve language assessment and support.
Speakers in alphabetical order:
Professor Artemis Alexiadou, Humboldt University of Berlin and Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics
Professor MarĂa J. Arche, University of Greenwich
Ms Gemma Arnold, NHS, HMP Belmarsh and Thameside
Ms Gerry Baker, South East London Integrated Care Board
Lord Paul Boateng, House of Lords
Professor Elise de Bree, University of Amsterdam
Dr Sarah Breslin, Council of Europe
Professor Karen Bryan, York St John University
Professor Joao Costa, OECD and European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education
Professor Julie Dockrell, University College of London
Dr Susan Ebbels, Moor House Research & Training Institute, Moor House School & College and University College of London
Dr Esther Ferreira Dos Santos, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Professor Naama Friedman, Tel Aviv University
Dr Angeliek van Hout, University of Groningen
Mr Steve Jamieson, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
Professor Victoria Joffe, University of Essex
Dr Stacy John-Legere, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Erika Kalocsanyiova, University of Greenwich
Ms Carol-Ann Murray, NHS South East London Integrated Care Board
Dr Alexandra Perovic, University College London
Professor Josep Quer, ICREA-Pompeu Fabra University
Ms Louisa Righelato, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Jeannette Schaeffer, University of Amsterdam
Ms Amy Sherman, NHS, HMP Belmarsh and Thameside
Professor Petra Schulz, Goethe University Frankfurt
Dr Sarah Spencer, University of Sheffield
Ms Scarlett Tozer-Milne, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Professor Laurice Tuller, University of Tours
Professor Bencie Woll FBA, University College London
Page Updated: 28-Feb-2025
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