Call for proposals: NCOLCTL 2006 - DEADLINE 26 SEPTEMBER 2005

[Scott G. McGINNIS]

The Ninth Annual Meeting of the National Council of Less 
Commonly Taught Languages (NCOLCTL) is scheduled for April 28-
30, 2006, in Madison, WI (with a pre-conference workshop 
scheduled for April 27th).  Proposals are solicited for 
individual papers, colloquia, and poster sessions.   
Proposals should fall broadly within the conference theme, 

“Expanding the LCTL Capacities in the United States.” 

Although proposed presentations may focus on individual 
languages, each should address issues that clearly relate to 
more than just that one language.  The focus of session 
topics might include heritage language learners, bilingual 
education students, autonomous and self-instructional 
settings, distance learning, outreach and advocacy 
initiatives, and the use of technology in teaching LCTL’s.  
Other topics such as curriculum and materials development, 
teacher training and professionalization, research, and 
assessment will also be welcome.  

Individual papers are to be 30 minutes long.  A paper should 
focus clearly on issues related to the main conference 
theme.  Papers may be based on research or practical 
experience.  Colloquia are to be 90 minutes long.  A 
colloquium proposal should specify three or more presenters 
who will address the conference theme.  Preference will be 
given to colloquia that cut across different languages or 
language groups.  Poster and presentation sessions may focus 
on completed work or work in progress related to the teaching 
and/or learning of less commonly taught languages.  They may 
be in either the traditional poster format, such as 
presentation of materials or of research completed or in 
progress, or demonstrations of instructional or information 
technology.  However, any proposal requiring technical 
support must specify in detail the type of hardware or 
software needed.

Proposals should indicate the title and kind of presentation 
(paper, colloquium or poster session) in the upper left-hand 
corner and the name of the presenter/presenter’s primary 
language(s) of interest in the upper right hand corner.  The 
proposed title should not exceed ten words.  Next should be a 
50-75 word abstract suitable for inclusion in the conference 
program and NCOLCTL website.  The proposal text should be 150-
200 words long and may not exceed one page in length.  The 
final deadline for receipt of proposals is September 26th, 
2005.  Applicants will be notified by the Program Committee 
by October 14th, 2005 whether or not their proposal has been 
accepted.  

Submission of proposals by email is strongly encouraged, and 
should be sent to: ncolctl at mailplus.wisc.edu.  If email is 
not available, proposals may be sent by hard copy to:

NCOLCTL
4231 Humanities Building
455 N. Park Street
Madison, WI 53706.
Tel: 608-265-7903; FAX 608 265 7904.

Scott McGinnis
Academic Advisor & Associate Professor

Defense Language Institute, 
  Washington Office
201 12th Street S., Suite 507
Arlington, VA 22202-4306
phone:  703-604-0464  fax:  703-604-0466
e-mail: Scott.McGinnis at belvoir.army.mil
  OR smcginni at umd.edu