Mind the Gap: Language Development is Key for Inclusive Education

This is a two-day event: Wed 26 - Thu 27 Mar 2025, 10:00 - 17:00

bring together scholars and specialists from around the world to explore themes related to health and wellbeing.

Language skills are crucial to our lifelong wellbeing and educational attainment. However, around 10 per cent of children face language difficulties, either on their own (Developmental Language Disorder) or in tandem with other diagnoses. Autism, learning disabilities, deafness and hearing loss often hinder language development. Growing up with multiple languages may also lead to differences in language development and education challenges. Importantly, language needs are too often not identified, particularly in older children and adolescents. This is due to insufficient knowledge of language development for children in this age bracket, exacerbated by insufficient communication across disciplines and services. As a result of this lack of support, these needs can lead to limited educational fulfilment, behavioural challenges, school dropouts or exclusions, mental health struggles, unemployment, or even involvement with the justice system.

This two-day conference (26-27 March) will set the agenda to increase understanding of language development during late childhood and adolescence across populations. By connecting knowledge across disciplines, it aims to raise awareness amongst policy makers and wider society about the urgent need to improve language assessment and support.

• Professor María J Arche, University of Greenwich
• Dr Alexandra Perovic, University College London
• Dr Erika Kalocsanyiova, University of Greenwich
• Dr Angeliek van Hout, University of Groningen
• Professor Josep Quer, ICREA-Pompeu Fabra University
• Professor Jeannette Schaeffer, University of Amsterdam
• Professor Petra Schulz, Goethe University Frankfurt

• Professor Artemis Alexiadou, Humboldt University of Berlin and Leibniz-Centre General Linguistics
• Professor María J. Arche, University of Greenwich
• Gemma Arnold, NHS, His Majesty's Pr*son Belmarsh and Thameside
• Gerry Baker, South East London Integrated Care Board
• Lord Paul Boateng, House of Lords
• Professor Elise de Bree, University of Amsterdam
• Professor Karen Bryan, York St John University
• Professor João Costa, OECD and European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education
• Professor Julie Dockrell, University College of London
• Dr Susan Ebbels, Moor House Research & Training Institute, Moor House School & College and University College of London
• Dr Esther Ferreira Dos Santos, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Professor Naama Friedman, Tel Aviv University
• Dr Angeliek van Hout, University of Groningen
• Steve Jamieson, The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
• Professor Victoria Joffe, University of Essex
• Dr Stacy John-Legere, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
• Dr Erika Kalocsanyiova, University of Greenwich
• Carol-Ann Murray, NHS South East London Integrated Care Board
• Dr Alexandra Perovic, University College London
• Professor Josep Quer, ICREA-Pompeu Fabra University
• Professor Jeannette Schaeffer, University of Amsterdam
• Professor Petra Schulz, Goethe University Frankfurt
• Dr Sarah Spencer, University of Sheffield
• Professor Laurice Tuller, University of Tours
• Professor Bencie Woll FBA, University College London

• In-person: admission £40 per day (£80 for both days)
• In-person: concessions £20 per day (£40 for both days)
• Online admission: £10 per day (£20 for both days)
• Online concessions: £6 per day (£12 for both days)

• 09:00-09:30 Registration and refreshments
• 09:30-10:00 Introduction from co-convenors
• 10:00-12:45 Language is Health panel (includes a coffee break from 10:14-11:15)
• 12:45-13:45 Lunch
• 13:45-17:00 Language as the Gateway to Education Fulfilment panel (includes a coffee break from 15:15-15:30)
• 17:00-17:15 Reflections from co-convenors
• 17:15 Drinks reception

• 09:00-09:30 Registration and refreshments
• 09:30-13:00 Seeking to Improve the Identification of Language Needs panel (includes a coffee break from 11:00-11:30)
• 13:00-14:00 Lunch
• 14:00-16:45 What Needs to Change panel (includes a coffee break from 15:15-15:30)
• 16:45-17:00 Closing remarks from co-convenors

If you have any questions about this event please refer to our events FAQs or email [email protected]

Image: Teenagers reaching the world at campus, Getty.

Host or Publisher British Academy