The 13th meeting of the ECML Professional Network Forum took place at Centre’s premises on 15 December. Following on immediately after the Centre’s conference “Inspiring innovation in language education: changing contexts, evolving competences”, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the results achieved through the ECML’s 2020-23 programme and their relevance both for the membership of the PNF and for the language education profession at large.
Representatives from 13 international associations and organisations working in area of language education and assessment (AILA, ALTE, CEL/ELC, CERCLES, EALTA, EAQUALS, ECSPM, EDiliC, EFNIL, EPA, FIPLV, ICC and OLBI) participated at the event. The Forum has proved highly successful in promoting cooperation among the member organisations with frequent ‘cross-pollination’ at webinars, conferences, initiatives and studies.
Among the many and varied topics discussed were: the impact of artificial intelligence; plurilingual policies and their effective implementation; digital citizenship in language education; successful approaches to promotion of ECML resources; and the continuing effects of Covid on education. Following the very successful PNF initiative “The future of language education in the light of Covid: Lessons learned and ways forward”and the publication of its findings within the report Rethinking language education after the experience of Covid, the representatives discussed possible future common actions. One suggestion was to build on these findings and pool resources for developing more versatility, criticality and autonomy in language teaching and learning, focusing on those working in higher and adult education.
The PNF is a civil society forum comprising a total of 16 associations/(umbrella) organisations – it has a potential outreach to thousands through its membership. Upcoming activities of the PNF member organisations are included on an ongoing basis within the ECML International events calendar.