Conference: FIPLV / NBR Conference

Date: 10-11 June 2021

Venue: Veröld – House of Vigdís, University of Iceland

Special theme: Future of Languages

The conference Future of Languages will take place at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík in 2021. The venue is “Veröld – House of Vigdís” named after Iceland’s former president, Madame Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the first and only UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Languages. The conference program will consist of theoretical and practical presentations as we join forces to learn from each others’ experiences and practices, while simultaneously gaining knowledge about future perspectives and challenges. Presentations will be in different languages, but English will be the main conference language.

The conference will give teachers of languages and others interested in its theme an opportunity to evaluate the past, re-evaluate the present and consider the future of languages, language learning and teaching, as well as policy making – specifically in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

The Conference is sponsored by University of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Institute of Foreign Languages,  Ministry of Education, Science and Culture,  The Icelandic Teacher’s Union and Hannesarholt Culture House.

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING COVID-19:

Dear all.

The unfolding corona virus (COVID-19) crisis has significantly affected all our lives in the past few weeks. As authorities work to contain the spread of the virus, many national and international events have been postponed. Due to continued uncertainties, the organizers of the conference, Future of Languages 2020, due to take place in Reykjavík, Iceland, this coming June, have decided to postpone the event until next summer.

The NBR/FIPLV biannual conference Future of Languages will therefore be held in Reykjavík, Iceland, June 10 and 11, 2021. The published program and registrations will be transferred to the 2021 event.

By January 2021, the organizers will re-send the call for papers and request re-confirmation from registered participants who have already paid. Accepted papers will also be transferred to next year’s conference.

Should participants wish to withdraw from the conference, 75% of the registration fee will be refunded. The remaining 25% will cover expenses already incurred. For a refund, please write to foflanguages@hi.is before May 31, 2020.

We regret that it has come to this, but we must consider participants’ health and well-being. We look forward to welcoming you to Iceland in 2021.

With best regards.

Dr. Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir
President of STÍL
Chair of the organizing committee

November 1, 2020       Deadline for abstract submission (Please mail to: infovigdis@hi.is, with the subject line: NBR abstract)

November 15, 2020     Deadline for notification of acceptance 

February 15, 2021        Draft Program / Registration / Practical Details

March 30, 2021            Final Program / Practical Details

May 15, 2021               Last Circular Letter

June 11/12, 2021         Conference Dates

Main themes

Future of Languages:

The roles of systematic language learning and teaching?

Means to promote language learning and cultural literacy?

Language Teaching Methodology / to whom / where and when?

What are our challenges / strengths?

How can language teachers and / or their associations contribute to society / community / humanity?

Call for Papers

Proposals for presentations should be submitted prior to October 15, 2020.

Please include: Name, affiliation, title and language of communication, followed by a short description of content. Maximum 200 words.

Please send to: infovigdis@hi.is / Subject: NBR abstract.

Fees and Registration

Registration will re-open 1 January 2021 and closes 1 May 2021.

Register by paying the participation fee. Your registration is not valid until payment has been made.
The conference fee includes conference organization, conference materials, coffee breaks and light lunches.
Accommodation, transport from/to airport and/or hotels and conference dinner are not included.

FIPLV / NBR Early registration, (upto 1 March 2021) 12.500 ISK, pay here    (around 90 euros)

FIPLV / NBR Late registration, (after 1 March 2021) 16.500 ISK, pay here     (around 120 euros)

FIPLV / NBR Students/emiriti, 6.800 ISK, pay here    (around 50 euros)

The Icelandic Krona rates compared against other currencies can be checked here

Fee refund requests received on or before 1 March 2020 will be 70 % of total fees paid. No refunds after 15 April 2021.
Questions related to fee payment can be directed to Hólmfríður Garðarsdóttir, Conference coordinator at holmfr@hi.is

Keynote speakers

Confirmed:

Dr. Ofelia García, Professor Emerita in the Ph.D. programs of Urban Education of Latin American, Iberian, and Latino Cultures (LAILAC) at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.

Sara Breslin, Executive Director, at the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML), in Graz, Austria.

Other keynote speakers will be announced soon.

Program

Preliminary program can be downloaded here.

A chair will be assigned to each session or panel at the conference. His/her role will be to introduce the speakers, keep track of time and assist with technical support. Every speaker has 25 min at his/her disposal, 20 min for the presentation and 5 for questions and answers. Should you have any questions, please direct them to foflanguages@hi.is

Venue

The conference will be held in Veröld – hús Vigdísar • Brynjólfsgata 1 (corner with Suðurgata) • 107 Reykjavík
Coordinates: 64.140001, -21.952594 or 64°08’24.0″N 21°57’09.3″W.  This is in walking distance from many hotels and accommodation options in downtown and west Reykjavík.

Closest bus-stops are Háskólabíó, Hótel Saga and, somewhat further away, Háskóli Íslands or Hagatorg.
The Building is connected with the main buildings of the university campus via a tunnel to the Háskólatorg building.

Accommodation

Tourism in Iceland has grown immensely and moderately-priced lodging is quick to fill up. We encourage conference participants to book accommodation as early as possible to avoid high prices and limited availability. Websites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.com will provide information about a range of accommodation possibilities. For more information about hotels and other types of lodging in Reykjavik, see HERE.

Travel

Keflavík International Airport (KEF), the main airport in Iceland, is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, the capital city. Over 20 airlines offer flights to and from Iceland through the airport. For information about flights to Iceland, see HERE.

Transportation to Reykjavík from the airport is available by bus, Flybus or taxi, see HERE. 

The only public transportation in Reykjavík is the bus system, commonly called Stræto. See their website for information about fares, timetable, and a route planner, HERE.

The two main taxi companies in Reykjavík are Hreyfill, tel. +354 588 55 22 see HERE and Taxi BSR, tel. +354- 56 10000, see HERE. When calling for a taxi you can expect it to arrive within 10 minutes.

For a map of the University of Iceland see HERE.

WIFI

The Internet can be accessed through Eduroam on the University premises.

Money

The official currency in Iceland is ISK (Icelandic krona). Recognised credit/debit cards are accepted in all restaurants, shops, hotels and cash machines. For the official exchange rate of ISK towards major currencies, see HERE.

Language 

The native language in Iceland is Icelandic, but English is widely used.

Excursion / Tour

Half-day excursion will be available for conference guests.

Information will be available in May 2021.

Styrkir

Í nýjasta Eplinu eru gleðifréttir fyrir þá kennara sem eru félagar í FF. Nú er hægt að sækja um styrk fyrir ráðstefnum og námskeiðum innanlands í B deild og einnig er í boði að fá greiddan aksturskostnað skv. ákveðnum reglum. Endilega kynnið ykkur málið.