Bilingual education program development is quite recent in Europe and around the world, and many studies are being produced to evaluate different educational processes at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Quality is often used as a wildcard to support or criticize bilingual programs. While it is true that some things might be working well and others should improve, the term quality comprises different categories in the educational process, such as organization, curriculum, methodology, impact, sustainability, etc., and a proper reflection of the state of the art can only be made by having multiple perspectives on the matter and contextualizing the effectiveness of the programs.

Maybe one of the least studied aspects is the role of affective factors in the process of bilingual education. And many questions still need to be answered: Is it more anxiety provoking? Are students more motivated to learn? How does it affect learning styles? Are the teaching and learning roles the same? In what ways is the student’s self-esteem empowered or threatened? And so on and so forth.

All these issues will be dealt with at the International conference on quality of bilingual programs in Higher Education. As conference director I would like to invite you to attend as speaker or attendee to share your experience on the matter. This conference takes place in Huelva, Spain, from 10 to 12 May 2018. It addresses all topics related to quality on bilingual programs in Higher Education, such as educational policies, methodological procedures, language requirements, teacher training and support, affective factors, etc.

In addition to the researchers, language professors, program managers, and other stakeholders, this International Conference on the Quality of Bilingual Programs in Higher Education is also addressed to those non-language professors/teachers who are struggling to deliver their lessons in a foreign language. We would like to hear their experiences, challenges, feelings and reflections. Although the conference highlights Higher Education, also primary and secondary levels are also included.

We are delighted to have the following keynote speakers:

DAVID MARSH (University of Jyváskylä, Finland)
DO COYLE (University of Edinburgh, Scotland)
VÍCTOR PAVÓN (Universidad de Córdoba, Spain)
INMACULADA FORTANET (Universidad Jaume I, Spain; to be confirmed)
DAVID LASAGABASTER (Universidad del País Vasco, Spain)

We are looking forward to receiving proposals addressing the role and effect of affective factors in bilingual education and we hope the social agenda of the conference will offer an unforgettable affective experience.  You can read more about the conference and register here:         http://eventos.uhu.es/go/AGCEPESA
Fernando D. Rubio Alcalá
fernando.rubio@dfing.uhu.es
Conference Director