InForm Conference 2023

• Theme: The changing nature and expectations of students in a changing world: transforming and being transformed.
• Host: University of Bristol
• Date: Saturday 3 June

The aim of this conference was to bring together a collection of research and ideas related to the international foundation and pathway programmes (IFP) as well as providing an opportunity for interacting and sharing practice with colleagues from the wider IFP community.

Plenary speaker: Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, Tansy Jessop, University of Bristol 

Download the InForm Conference 2023 Schedule

InForm Conference 2022

• Theme: Enhancing inclusivity in the IFP
• Host: International Foundation Programme, University of Reading.

The 2022 InForm Conference, which saw 12 presentations given, began with Bruce Howell’s keynote address, exploring the complexity of ensuring inclusivity in a UK-based IFP delivered outside the UK. Other presentation topics included the use of an Accessibility Reporting Form, exploration of controversial topics to develop critical thinking, and module redesign with a focus on sustainability.

For presentation titles, abstracts, timings and publisher details, please see the schedule:

Download InForm Conference 2022 Schedule

InForm Conference 2021

• Theme: Student support and experience: In and outside the classroom
• Host: International Foundation Programme, University of Reading.

This one day event includes 12 presentations in two parallel streams and a plenary presentation by Professor Christina Hughes. There is also a panel discussion titled: Themes and trends of the sector at the moment, challenges and opportunities beyond recruitment for 2021 and beyond. Publishers will be present sharing the latest publications relevant to the sector and the day will provide opportunities for interaction and sharing of practice with colleagues from the IFP community.

For presentation titles, abstracts, timings and publisher details, please see the schedule:

Download InForm Conference Online 2021 Schedule

Conference fee £20

Registration

Register online at the University of Kent online store here:

University of Kent online Store

Queries should be emailed to headintprogs@kent.ac.uk

InForm Conference 2019

• Theme: Evolution of International Foundation Programmes - recognising a new environment and adapting to change
• 29 June 2019, University of Reading UK and Malaysia campuses

This 10th InForm Conference provided an opportunity to consider how IFPs have changed as universities and the needs of international students have also changed. In particular the development of transnational education (TNE) featured strongly and this was reflected in the event being held simultaneously in Reading and Malaysia where the University of Reading runs an offshore IFP. The opening plenary featuring a panel of experts from the University of Reading, University of Birmingham and Queen Mary University of London video linked to Malaysia and provided a discussion about offshore delivery of IFPs. The keynote address of the event was given by Dr Anthony Manning the Dean for Internationalisation at the University of Kent. This was fitting for our 10th conference as Dr Manning ran the first InForm Conference in 2010. His consideration of quality and innovation in the delivery of international pathway programmes highlighted the research, development and work that many put into this dynamic area of education.

Below you will find slides for the talks

Reading Event

Download programme here:

2019 InForm Conference Brochure Reading

Session	Further information
Opening plenary. Elisabeth Wilding, University of Reading. Bruce Howell, University of Reading (Malaysia campus). Stephen Minchin, Birmingham International Academy. Mike Groves, Birmingham International Academy. Kathryn Richardson, Queen Mary University of London.	'International' delivery of International Foundation Programmes - I2FP If IFPs are already international, what is different about transnational education (TNE) models of IFP delivery?
Keynote. Dr Anthony Manning, University of Kent.	Quality and Innovation for international Pathway Programs: Good Practice and Recommendations for the Future in the UK Context and Beyond.
Session 1a. Nicholas Hyder, MGIMO University, Russia	Slides currently unavailable
Session 1b. Jane Ward, University of Reading	Students' misinterpretation of written feedback on their degree programmes: can IFPs do more to help?
Session 1c. Miriam Schwiening and Anna Tranter, Warwick University	Supporting IFP students with the transition to UG study: adapting the lecture format through TEL
Session 2a. Elizabeth Allen and Maxine Gillway, University of Bristol	Transforming the IFP: From evolution to revolution
Session 2b. Kalai Mathi Yesupatham, The University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China	Preliminary Year: A needs analysis for creating an enhanced spoken English environment
Session 2c. Emdad Aziz and Alison Buckman, INTO Exeter.	An Investigation on the importance of the On Line Assessment in the E learning process
Session 3a. Dr Anthony Manning, University of Kent (as a replacement for Alys Kowalik who could not attend)	Slides currently unavailable
Session 3b. Jill Haldane and Philip Davies, University of Edinburgh.	Slides currently unavailable
Session 3c. Lee Clark University of Surrey	Slides currently unavailable
Session 4a. Julien Boville, Nottingham Trent International College	Slides currently unavailable
Session 4b. Joanna Norton and Dan Bernstein, Language Centre, University of the Arts.	Situating language learning in the studio
Session 4c. Mary Whitsell, University of Nottingham, Ningbo China	Conference 2019 Slides Session 4c Mary Whitsell
Session 5a. Natalie Drake and Noor Mat Nayan, University of Reading	Are changes necessary to enhance student engagement on the IFP?
Session 5b. Peter Sturman, University of Nottingham, Ningbo China.	Transition and Adaption: What do students think?
Session 5c. Mike Groves, Birmingham International Academy	Google Translate - what do the wider academic Community think?

 

Malaysia Event

Download programme here:

2019 InForm Conference Programme Malaysia

Session	Further information
Closing plenary. Elisabeth Wilding, University of Reading. Bruce Howell, University of Reading (Malaysia campus). Stephen Minchin, Birmingham International Academy. Mike Groves, Birmingham International Academy. Kathryn Richardson, Queen Mary University of London.	'International' delivery of International Foundation Programmes - I2FP If IFPs are already international, what is different about transnational education (TNE) models of IFP delivery?
Session 1. Chris Macallister, Antonia Paterson and Yuan Hu, Xi'an Jiatong-Liverpool University.	The Evolution of a 'Glocalised' Transnational Foundation Programme?: curriculum, professional standards & philosophy
Session 2. Nee Nee Chan, Gogilavaani Jothi Veeraman and Faindra Abdul Jabbar, Quest international University.	Experiential Learning and the Google Generation
Session 3. Bruce Howell, University of Reading Malaysia.	Conference Slides 2019 Providing a UK IFP experience in Malaysia - successes and challenges
Session 4. Yaijing Guo, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University	Translanguaging as a Pedagogy used in a Chinese Language Classroom
Session 5. Joanne Ningjuan Wang, Xi'an jiaotong-Liverpool University.	Enhancing Students' Critical Thinking and Engagement via Research Projects and Exposure to Social Media

 

InForm Conference 2018

Theme: Innovative ideas for enhanced student engagement

30 June 2018, Birmingham International Academy at the University of Birmingham

The 9th Annual InForm Conference was hosted by the Birmingham International Academy (BIA) at the University of Birmingham and gained a lot of interest. The packed programme comprised 18 talks in 3 parallel sessions and two keynote speakers. With 108 delegates attending this was our biggest event and we'd like to thank Mike Groves and the team from BIA for organising the event so well. Unfortunately our second keynote speaker Ursula Wingate was unable to attend and we'd like to thank Mike Groves for stepping in at the last minute to deliver the second keynote session. Massive thanks to all the speakers and those presenting posters. Links to the slides and content of sessions are below, along with posters, where they have been made available to us.

Download programme here:

Inform Conference programme 2018

Session	Further information
Keynote Address 1. Dr Vikki Burns, Reader in Science Education, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham.	Not a problem to be fixed
Keynote Address 2. Mike Groves, College Programmes Manager, Birmingham International Academy, University of Birmingham.	Building transition into course design
Session 1a. Maria Hussain, University of Leeds.	Assessed reflective writing; friend or foe?
Session 1b. Aysen Gilroy, Zayed University.	An online study skills course
Session 1c. Clare Poulson, University of Leeds.	Unfortunately Clare was unable to attend and present.
Session 2a. Deirdre McKenna, University of Sussex.	Conference From IFY to FY with Home Students: Challenges & Strategies - An EAP Tutor's Experience
Session 2b. Matthew lemon, University of York.	Highlighting the factors that can make Foundation writers' English appear unacademic
Session 2c. Liz Wilding, University of Reading.	The university food transition. What tools can we provide?
Session 3a. Shuna I. A. Neilson, Richmond The American International University in London.	Unitry in diversity - introducing a broad range of students to the requirements of university writing Presentation handout
Session 3b. Elizabeth Allen and Ruth Taylor, University of Bristol.	Problem-Based Learning: solving the problem of preparing high-level students for undergraduate study.
Session 3c. Jenny Hirst, University of Leeds.	Currently unavailable
Session 4a. Kerry Tavakoli, University of St andrews.	Currently unavailable
Session 4b. Sebastian Kzbi and Michael Salmon, University of Liverpool.	Currently unavailable
Session 4c. Clare Nukui and Martin Miller,Oxford Brookes University.	Questions of transition and liminality on Foundation Programmes - Part 1 Questions of transition and liminality on Foundation Programmes - Part 2
Session 5a. Hannah Gurr and Sarah Brain, University of Bristol.	1) Slides: Library? What library? Effectively developing IFP students' library skills 2) Film: Google Scholar 3) Film: Library Skills 1 4) Film: Library Skills 2 5) Film: Library Skills 3 6) Film: Library Skills 4
Session 5b. Julia Clifford, University College Birmingham	Currently unavailable
Session 5c. Sandra Leigh, University of Nottingham.	Foundation Programmes as Socialisation Structures: understanding the first year experiences of post-EAP Foundation students
Session 6a. Paula Villegas, University of Sheffield.	1) Slides: Using Legitimation Code Theory to Enhance Students' Academic Writing 2) HANDOUT
Session 6b. Felicia Heard and Dr Rebecca Hooker, INTO, University of Exeter.	Developing 'soft' transferable skills to achieve 'hard' targets through cultural and community engagement
Session 6c. Dave Watton and Jake Groves, Birmingham International Academy, University of Birmingham.	DISCERN: The Discerning Student
Poster: Salmah Yakoob, Coventry University.	Providing tools to reference accurately: observations of citation practices of IFP students
Poster: Emdad Aziz, INTO University of Exeter.	Peer Review: A Tool for Success in Transition to University
Poster: Richard Cotterill, International Pathway College, University of York.	The significance of power-distance: teaching students from China
Poster: Nadia Sucha, International Pathway College, University of York.	Chinese Foundation Students. Previous English-learning experience

InForm Conference 2017 Theme: Innovative ideas for enhanced student engagement

15 July 2017, University of Reading & University of Reading Malaysia

The 8th Annual InForm Conference had two parallel events on the same day, one in Malaysia at the new University of Reading Malaysia campus and the other at the University of Reading Whiteknights Campus. The two events were linked via video for the first keynote talk in Reading. The day proved to be exciting and interesting with a great deal of sharing of practices on different IFPs. Student engagement is driving a lot of what tutors do and the value of it was very evident during the day. We'd like to particularly thank our keynote speakers for opening the morning and afternoon sessions in such a stimulating way.

Below you will find the slides for the talks:

Reading event

InForm Conference 2017 programme Reading

Session	Further information
Keynote Address 1. Professor Colin Bryson, Director of Combined Honours Centre, Newcastle University and Chair and founder of Raise.	Realising the potential of student engagement
Keynote Address 2. Clare Nukui, Co-ordinator of the International foundation Programme at Oxford Brookes University.	Innovations outside the classroom: How new ideas in the areas of administration, co-curricular and welfare matters have enhanced the student experience at University of Reading Malaysia
Session 1a. Dr Meiko Murayam, University of Reading.	Team Competition in a group project: Gamifying learning to enhance student engagement
Session 1b. Dr Sue Teal, University of Birmingham.	Employing student teacher assistants to enhance student engagement: academic and practical benefits
Session 1c. Alex Dawson, Cardiff University.	Tracking former Foundation students in Undergraduate study: engagement gaps and ideas to fill them
Session 2a. Alexandra Corrin, INTO Newcastle University LLP.	Shakespeare - Globe to Globe: Accessing plays on foundation Humanities
Session 2b. Dr Shirley Ashforth-Frost, University of Nottingham	Using flipped learning to engage and integrate international students
Session 2c. Mike Groves, University of Birmingham.	Increasing Engagement through Structured Tutorials
Session 3a. Jane Sjoberg, University of Birmingham.	Engaging Foundation Learners with a Student-led Magazine
Session 3b. Jane ward, University of Reading.	IFP lecture delivery: maximising non-native speaker student engagement
Session 3c. Kathryn Redpath, University of Edinburgh.	Implementing continuous credit assessments for enhanced engagement: benefits and challenges at The University of Edinburgh
Session 4a. Tina Kirk, University of Southampton.	The power of drama
Session 4b. Adam Stewart, University of Brighton International College	Synoptic Assessment on the International foundation Programme for Art, Design and Media
Session 4c. Rina Fokel de Vries and Veronica Raffin, BIA, University of Birmingham.	Enhancing IFP Students' Engagement through Pronunciation Peer Practice
Session 5a. Kashmir Kaur, University of Leeds	Enhancing International student experience through audio formative feedback
Session 5b. Amy Moses, University of Kent and Caroline Challans, CEWL, University of Kent	From the horse's mouth: students' perspectives of engagement and disengagement on the IFP
Session 5c. Karin Whiteside, University of Reading.	Engaging a mixed native and non-native speaking group in the learning of written genres for Psychology
Lunchtime Session. Abigail Letford, ELT Sales Representative, National Geographic Learning	TED Talks publications drop in session National Geographic Learning Ted Talks website

 

Malaysia Event

InForm Conference 2017 programme Malaysia

Session	Further information
Session 1. Nabila Shariff, University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus.	Positive student engagement through workshops centered on developing intercultural awareness
Session 2. Peter Sturman, University of Nottingham, Ningbo China.	Early intervention in student disengagement
Session 3. Eoin Patrick, Xi'an-Jiaotong Liverpool University.	Online peer assessment to promote student engagement outside the classroom
Session 4. Saleha Abdul Rahman, Nottingham University Malaysia Campus	Low-tech for high engagement: Gratitude practices to enhance autonomous learning
Session 5. Bruce Howell, Associate professor of Language Assessment and head of FSLI, University of Reading.	Round table - enhancing student engagement on IFPs No material currently available
Keynote Address 1. Professor Colin Bryson, Director of Combined Honours Centre, Newcastle University and Chair and founder of Raise.	Realising the potential of student engagement

 

Inform 2016

The Seventh Inform Conference took place on Saturday 16 July 2016 at Durham University and was themed Working with Words: Supporting understanding of discipline-specific vocabulary in IFPs. A big thanks to Megan Bruce, Julie Wilson and the rest of the team in Durham University Foundation Centre for organising a stimulating, highly enjoyable and well run conference. Thanks also to the excellent speakers and contributors for their informative and thought provoking talks, sessions and posters.

The day featured two keynote addresses, 10 sessions and workshops and 3 posters. The opening keynote address was by Professor Mike McCarthy, Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Nottingham titled The vocabulary of academic speaking: an interdisciplinary perspective. After lunch Dr Dawn Knight, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at Cardiff University delivered the second keynote address titled The application of corpora: supporting and informing the pedagogic landscape.

Summaries of all the talks can be found here: InForm Conference 2016 Programme and the presentation slides can be downloaded from the links below.

Presentation slides and handouts:

Session	Further information
Keynote Address 1. Professor Mike McCarthy, Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Nottingham.	The vocabulary of academic speaking: an interdisciplinary perspective
Session 1A. Aaron Woodcock, ISLI, University of Reading.	Walking the line: selecting and teaching chemistry-specific vocabulary
Session 1B. Megan Bruce, Durham University Foundation Centre.	Write on the edge: encouraging use of reporting verbs in physiology lab reports
Session 2A. Mike Groves, Birmingham international Academy, University of Birmingham.	Providing focus or limiting options? Disciplines, lexis and EAP
Session2B. Dr Simon Rees, Durham University Foundation Centre.	Chemical linguistic demand in multiple dimensions and implications for developing understanding in non-traditional students
Session 3A. Clare Anderson, Cats College Cambridge.	The selection of vocabulary, language and skills for a discipline-specific pre-university Foundation Programme Clare Anderson Session 3A handout
Session 3B. Elwyn Edwards and Dr Lucy Watson, University of Southampton.	Making sense of 'Global Society':teaching key conceptual vocabularies in the Foundation Year classroom
Keynote Address 2. Dr Dawn Knight, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at Cardiff University.	The application of corpora: supporting and informing the pedagogic landscape
Session 4A. Hannah Gurr, CELFS, Bristol University.	What's a parallelepiped? How to survive teaching English for Mathematics Hannah Gurr Session 4A Quizlet and Socrative handout
Session 4B. Will Hutton, Queen Mary University of London.	'More difficult than physics': teaching and learning historical and political terms on an IFP
Session 5A. Steven Robert Herron, Northumbria University.	A lexically focused IFP? Working with staff, students and the curriculum to join the dots
Session 5B. Sandra Strigel, Newcastle University.	Raising linguistic awareness through CLIL: a reflective practice approach for subject teachers.

 

Posters:

Author	Poster download link
Julie Wilson, Teaching Fellow at the Foundation Centre Durham University.	To teach or not to teach: the effectiveness of overtly teaching formulaic phrasing in academic practice
Rina F. de Vries and Veronica Raffin, EAP tutors at BIA, University of Birmingham.	Specialist knowledge: an interactive approach

 

Inform 2015

The Sixth Inform Conference took place on Saturday 11 July 2015 at the University of Reading and was themed Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) on the IFP. It featured two keynote addresses and 15 sessions and workshops.

The opening keynote address was by Dr Paul Thompson of the Centre for Corpus Research at the University of Birmingham titled The potential for corpus enhanced learning on the IFP. After lunch Chris Cavey and Sara Pierson of the British Council delivered the second keynote address titled Strategy and Impact: lessons the British Council is learning from running MOOCs.

Summaries of all the talks can be found here: Inform Conference Programme 2015

Articles based on the talks are included in Download InForm.

Inform 2014

The Fifth Inform Conference took place on Saturday 19th July 2014 at the University of Kent.

The theme of the conference was:

Assessment as a tool for learning on the IFP

There was a plenary delivered by Dr Sara Hannam and Birgit den Outer from ASKe, the Assessment Standards Knowledge exchange at Oxford Brooke's University

Please see the following documents from the Inform 2014 conference:

Investigating research into EAP Assessment Literacy - Anthony Manning

A tale of two cities - Carla Morris and Sebastien Cadinot

Assessment Literacy in International Contexts - Dr Sara Hannam and Birgit den Outer

Critiquing the Crit - Julie Mecoli

Developing critical thinking under test conditions - Sandra Leigh

Student Reflection as an Assessment Tool - Nancy Woods and Anne Stazickes

InForm 2013

The fourth Inform Conference took place on Saturday 20 July 2013 at the University of Reading

What do IFP students need? Finding a balance between linguistic and content teaching: how much and when?

Across the UK, a range of IFP providers are helping to prepare international students for their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. A wide variation exists in provision but what do students really need? The InForm Conference 2013 aims to explore what is the right balance between linguistic and content input; what combination of language, study skills and content is best?

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Dave Burnapp, Associate Lecturer, University of Northampton, National Teaching Fellow (HEA)

Russian Matryoshka Nesting Dolls: In this presentation Dave will develop an analogy based on Matryoshka dolls to explore the different forms of knowledge and learning outcomes which International Foundation Programmes might try to engender.

Professor Elspeth Jones, Emerita Professor of the Internationalisation of Higher Education and international education consultant

IFP and the transition to UK academic culture: Bridge, ferry or ford? Elspeth will consider how the structure and content of international foundation programmes can support a diverse range of students as they make the transition to university study.

InForm Conference 2013 Programme of Events

2013 Provisional Conference Programme

Hear what delegates of the conference had to say about InForm:

InForm YouTube Video

InForm Conference 2012:

Is Teaching and Learning Enough? Can additional elements aid the transition from a foundation programme to university study?

The third InForm conference took place on Friday 20 July 2012 at Newcastle University.

Thanks to all of the speakers and presenters, and to Steven Herron and his team at Newcastle for organising such an interesting and stimulating day.

Across the UK a range of foundation providers, teachers and staff are helping to prepare international learners for their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Yet learning academic English and other components of subject modules only form a part of the learning process. This conference aimed to bring together and critically explore the impact that additional activities (teaching and non-teaching) can bring to enhance the students before progressing to university study.

Most of the presentations are available to view below.

Opening speakers

Dr Felicity Breet, Associate Dean, Faculty of Education and Society, University of Sunderland. Breaking in or breaking the mould?

Professor Vivian Baumfield, Professor of Pedagogy Policy and Innovation, University of Glasgow. Synthesising sources and developing an argument: reflections on supervising international students

Dr Peter Sercombe, Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, Newcastle University. Aiming for non-essentialised intercultural adjustment among international postgraduates

Conference programme

The draft programme summarises the main presentations at the conference.

Speaker	Downloadable slides
Lee Hawkes, Queen Mary University	Acculturative Strategies and Experiences of International Students
Josh Lange, University College London	Service Learning and Social Entrepeneurship in Foundation
Julie Wilson and Alison McManus, Durham University	Additional language Support for Foundation Students
Ann Smith, University of Nottingham	Who's in Charge?
Chrisopher Copland and Huw Llewellyn Jones, University of York	English for Integration into the Campus Community: A Video Project
Maggie Holmes ,York Saint John University; Wendy Altinors ,Leeds Metropolitan University; Anthony Flint, Teesside University	Organising a Conference for International Foundation Students: aims and benefits
Steven Herron, Newcastle University	Reflective Learning: Seeking Metacognition in Reflective Practice
Tatyana Karpenko-Seccombe, University of Huddersfield	Critical Thinking in EAP
Alison Leslie, University of Leeds	Putting the Global Citizen into Academic Studies Global Citizen handout

InForm Conference 2011: Internationalisation - how far can it go?

The second InForm Conference took place at the University of Reading on Saturday 16 July.

Keynote: How the 'Teaching International Students' project suggests a way of improving learning for all

The plenary session was delivered by Jude Carroll from Oxford Brookes University, who represented the Teaching International Students Project (TIS).

Please download her presentation here: Teaching International Students Project

Presentations

You can download the online InForm conference programme or view the presentations below.

Session information

Testing, Testing, 1,2,3... Chris Walklett 'Teach them to think': critical reading skills for international foundation students through the use of evaluation checklists John Hall and Sandra Leigh

From intercultural awareness to global citizenship: engaging home students and staff in the process of internationalisation Edward Bressan and Louise Green Whose 'English' in English for Academic Purposes? Stuart Perrin

Going the distance: Nigerian disabled scholarship students and their transition to foundation studies Victoria Crane and Betty Alali Odema Internationalising the seminar: Communicative Strategies from EAP across the Curriculum Ellie Kennedy

Internationalisation - to the classroom and beyond! Maxine Gillway Teaching Thinking Skills: A practitioner enquiry into the effectiveness of TS for postgraduate pathway students. Steven Herron

InForm conference 2010: The challenges ahead

The first InForm conference took place at the University of Reading on Saturday 17 July 2010. The event included seminars and workshops on themes related to international foundation programmes, commencing with a keynote address by Rebecca Smith of UK NARIC. It was an interesting day with a wide variety of topics presented over two parallel sessions, and provided an opportunity to meet and share ideas with others from the IFP sector over lunch. Highlights from the conference are featured in InForm issue 6.