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A Look Back at the 31st RANACLES Congress in Rouen
Our TOEIC and TOEFL teams attended the 31st annual RANACLES (National Assembly of Higher Education Language Centers) congress, held from November 28 to 30, 2024, at the University of Rouen. Under the theme of "out-of-the-box" approaches in language learning and teaching, this event brought together experts, teachers, and researchers to share innovative thoughts and practices.
An Inspiring Opening
The congress began with an official ceremony, presided over by Tom Grainger, President of RANACLES, Christel Troncy, President of the Scientific Committee, and Anne-Lise Worms, Vice-President of the University of Rouen Normandy.
The sessions, held in both French and English, alternated between plenary lectures, small group discussions, and workshops.
Plenary Lectures
Breaking the Frame of Corrective Phonetics: The Learner at the Center By Grégory Miras, Professor of Applied Linguistics and Didactics at the University of Lorraine. The study of the evolution of French pronunciation didactics shows a break with modern sociolinguistic approaches. It is crucial to define this framework and compare it to current knowledge on pronunciation development among learners. A complementary framework centered on the learner, where autonomy is a key objective in pronunciation, is also conceivable.
The Affordances of Informal Learning of a Less-Commonly Taught Language By Monika Grabowska, Lecturer at the Institute of Romance Studies at the University of Wroclaw (Poland). This presentation examined the benefits of informal learning of a less-commonly taught language, such as French in Poland. Monika Grabowska's work focused on university students in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) in the "philological" track, requiring a C1/C2 language level. Informal learning helped students progress linguistically by linking formal education opportunities with those perceived by students in their own learning environments.
Informal Language Learning: Challenges, Issues, and Trends in an Emerging Research Field By Meryl Kusyk, Research and Teaching Fellow. Language learning has significantly changed over the past fifteen years, with increased presence of languages outside formal settings. Meryl Kusyk presented an overview of studies on informal language learning conducted over the past 20 years, discussing current issues and future research implications.
Digitally Designed Online LSP Course with Individualized Student Learning Paths By Jeroen Van Engen and Jane Mahoney, both from the University of Groningen. This presentation focused on developing an online language course tailored to the needs of students with varied levels and backgrounds. Using artificial intelligence and digital technologies, this course offers personalized learning paths, encouraging autonomous learning and developing language skills applicable in real life.
Parallel Sessions and Practical Workshops
- Parallel Sessions: Three simultaneous 30-minute sessions presenting research and initiatives.
- Practical Workshops: Four one-hour sessions offering participants tools and methodologies applicable to their practices.
The discussions were structured around three main themes:
- Formal, Informal, Non-formal: Tensions and Reconsiderations
- Framing the Unexpected in Higher Education
- Explicit/Implicit in Language and Cultural Skills
A Cultural and Friendly Program
The event also allowed participants to discover Rouen and exchange ideas in a relaxed setting:
- Gala Dinner: Held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts of Rouen.
- Guided Tour: Led by students in Applied Foreign Languages (LEA), offering a historical and cultural overview of the city.
- Cocktail Reception: At the University House, accompanied by activities such as creative writing workshops, short film screenings, and an exhibition of LEA students' works.
A Milestone Event for the Community
The RANACLES 2024 congress was a fantastic opportunity for participants to rethink and innovate language teaching and learning, pushing the boundaries of traditional frameworks. The success of this event highlights the vitality and importance of language centers in higher education.