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College of Education

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Bilingualism Matters @UofSC

We live in a diverse world where communicating and connecting with others across languages is incredibly important.  As globalization continues to impact all sectors of society (e.g., education, business, policy), multilingualism becomes necessary in order to govern the needs and cross-cultural contexts of the changing world. With this, it is increasingly vital for a wide range of partners (e.g., universities, schools, businesses, community organizations) to collaborate in order to best support students’ abilities to be the future leaders of a global world. Bilingualism Matters @USC will serve as a resource to facilitate these discussions.

Now Accepting Proposals for 2020 Conference

We are now accepting proposals for the Bilingualism Matters 2020 Conference. The deadline for submissions has been extended to December 20. A wide variety of opportunities are available.

Please visit the Proposal Submission Form for more information.

 

Now Accepting Conference Exhibit and Advertising Applications for 2020 Conference

We are now accepting Conference Exhibit and Advertising for the Bilingualism Matters 2020 Conference. The deadline for submissions is January 1st 2020. A wide variety of opportunities are available.

Please visit the Vendor Exhibit and Advertising Form for more information.

 

2020 Bilingualism Matters Conference: Voices in Harmony: Bilingualism Matters for Everyone

 

Dates

Pre-Conference School Visit: A Language Immersion School In Action: 
March 13, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Attendees will visit East Point Academy Mandarin Immersion School in West Columbia, South Carolina on Friday, March 13 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (lunch will be provided). During the visit, attendees will be provided an overview on how to organize and operate a public language immersion school and will observe core content and related arts classes conducted through the medium of Mandarin.

The visit will conclude with a panel discussion including viewpoints on the benefits and challenges of immersion education from administrators, teachers, students, and families. The intended audience for this event is anyone interested in learning more about dual-language programming and its operation in an elementary school.

Intended Stakeholders: Teachers, Teacher Educators, Administrators, District Coordinators, Researchers, Policymakers

For out-of-town guests needing transportation to the Pre-Conference School visit, email Haidy Diaz at bilingsc@mailbox.sc.edu.

 

Conference:
March 14, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Conference Theme: Voices in Harmony: Bilingualism Matters for Everyone

Location: Richland Two Institute of Innovation, 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC 29229

 

Costs

Pre-Conference School Visit: 

  • Early Registration (by Feb. 15) $20
  • Normal Registration $30
  • Registration deadline is March 1.

Conference:

  • Early Bird Registration (until Feb 2): $50
  • Registration after Feb. 2: $65
  • On-site registration: $70
    Register Now

If you need overnight accommodations, you can contact the Holiday Inn Express for conference rates  or call the hotel directly at 803-699-9333. Refer to code BSM.

Conference rates are available until March 2. 

 

About Bilingualism Matters @UofSC

Bilingualism Matters @ the University of South Carolina is a branch of an international network that started in Edinburgh, Scotland. We are one of five branches in the United States and 1 of over 20 worldwide.

Locally, we conduct research and partner with local school districts to promote awareness about bilingualism, develop sound instructional practices, and share resources with the community. We believe that real change happens through dialogue between researchers and the community. We work in partnership with families, teachers, policy makers, and the business sector to help impact people’s daily lives.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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